A62050:378
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.
The Philosopher would not buy repentance at too dear a rate; Sure I am thou ⟨p. 205⟩canst never buy this inheritance too dear, though thou spendest all thy time, and strength, and sellest all thou hast to purchase it. Friend, if ever thou art saved, thou must work out thy own salvation, Phil. 2.12. God giveth earth to the meek and patient; but heaven to the strong and violent, Mat. 5.5. Mat 11.12. It is a saying of Lombard, God condemns none before he sins, nor crowns any before he overcomes. The blind carnal world thinks that a man may go to heaven without so much ado; as Judas said of the ointment, so they of diligence in duties To what purpose is this waste? Mat. 26.8. They tell us it is waste time to pray so frequently, and it is waste strength to pray so fervently, to what purpose is this waste? They presume that godly men might spare a great deal of their pains heavenward; As Seneca told the Jews that they lost a seventh part of their time by their sanctification of the Sabbath: So the earthly-minded man will tell us that such and such men spend all their time almost in reading, or hearing, or praying, or instructing their families, or neighbours; and they count it but lost time. These men if you will believe them, have found out an easier and a ⟨p. 206⟩nearer way to heaven then ever Jesus Christ did; they are the right brood of wicked Jeroboam, that told the people, 1 King. 12.28. It was too much to go up to Jerusalem to worship; he had found out a cheaper and an easier way of worship. The Calves at Dan and Bethel would save them much labour, and in his conceit, serve to as much purpose▪ Thus they delude themselves, that their lazy, cold trading God-ward, their slight indifferent prayers will bring them in as much gain, as the most zealous performances of the Saints. But (Reader) I hope thou wilt obey the voice of God and not of men in this; Consider his promise is to the laborious, They that seek him early shall find him,