A62050:314
Ouranos kai tartaros= heaven and hell epitomized. The true Christian characterized. As also an…
Ouranos kai tartaros= heaven and hell epitomized. The true Christian characterized. As also an exhortation with motives, means and directions to be speedy and serious about the work of conversion. By George Swinnocke M.A. sometime fellow of Balliol College in Oxford, and now preacher of the Gospel at Rickmersworth in Hertfordshire.Ouranos kai tartaros= heaven and hell epitomized. The true Christian characterized. As also an exhortation with motives, means and directions to be speedy and serious about the work of conversion. By George Swinnocke M.A. sometime fellow of Baliol Colledge in Oxford, and now preacher of the Gospel at Rickmersworth in Hertfordshire.
London: printed by E.M. for Tho. Parkhurst, 1659
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
But now a Professor without the power of godliness, hath another end; He goeth ⟨p. 154⟩to Church, but it is as the cut-purse, not to seek God, but his prey. He performeth duties, but either for self-credit, Matth. 6.2. as Pliny observeth of the Nightingale,1 that she will sing much longer and louder when men are by, then when they are not; or else for self-profit, Matth. 23.14. Like him in the comedy that cried out O heavens, but pointed to the earth. Religion is either this mans stirrup, by which he hopes to get into the saddle above his Neighbours, or else it is his stalking horse, which he contentedly followeth all day, because it may bring him in some gain at night; like Satan, he may assume the shape of Samuel, but it is only upon some particular errand, and for his own ends; This man is not holy, but crafty, and doth not serve God, but himself of God. Reader, search whether thou art not one of these; Thou art but an empty vine, if thou bringest forth fruit to thy self, Hos. 10.1. O how many a work, materially good, being fly-blown with self, proves formally bad, and so becomes stinking and unsavoury in the nostrils of God! Self is the pirate which too too often intercepteth the golden fleet of religious performances, that they cannot ⟨p. 155⟩return fraughted with blessings. It concerneth thee therefore to observe thy ends; what are thy ends in thy eating, and drinking, and all thy natural and civil actions? is thy end to please and gratify the flesh? or is it that thou mayst get health and strength, and thereby be the more serviceable to thy Maker and Redeemer? what is thy end in thy spiritual undertakings? is duty the end of duty, or is obedience to the honour of, and Communion with Christ the end of thy performances? make a pause before thou readest farther, and answer the Lord who commandeth thee to examine and know the state of thy soul.
But now a Professour without the power of godlinesse, hath another end; He goeth