A62050:401
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.
This is the condition of every unsanctified man and woman, and did they but know it, they would see but little cause to spend their days in pastimes and pleasure; but what the eye seeth not, the heart grieves not: Had Haman known he had been so nigh his funeral, he would hardly have boasted so much to his friends; but it is the policy of the God of this world, to blind mens eyes, least they should see and avoid damnation. As when a Malefactor is for some capital crime cast at the Assize,1 he is then carried into a dark dungeon, and thence to execution: So the Devil, knowing that all the Sons and Daughters of Adam are cast by the Law of God (the Law shutting them all up under sin and wrath) endeavoureth to keep them in the dungeon of ignorance, till the day of their execution. When Nebuchadnezzar had conquered Zedekiah, ⟨p. 227⟩2 Kings 25. and 7. he put out his eyes, bound him in fetters, and then carried him away to Babylon: Thus Satan as soon as he entereth into the soul, laboureth to put out the eyes of the understanding, and so to lead them hood-winked to hell. Did men know what they had done against God, and how they had undone themselves, they would be restless till they attained a remedy: Did the sinner but know the purity, jealousy, power, and justice of that God, whom he daily provoketh? Did he but know the love and kindness, the blood and bowels of that Saviour, whom he undervalueth: Did he but know the pleasures, and joy, and happiness in heaven, which he neglecteth: Did he but know the beauty and amiableness, the delights and comforts of grace and holiness, which he despiseth: Did he but know the emptiness and vanity of this deceitful world, which he so heartily embraceth: Did he but know where sin is in the premisses, sorrow and hell (without faith and sanctification) must be in the conclusion; Did men, I say, but know these things, how quickly would they turn from sin unto God, giving a bill of divorce to their most beloved lusts, and entering into a ⟨p. 228⟩most solemn covenant with the Lord! But having their understandings darkened, they are alienated from the life of God (that is, a life of holiness) through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their hearts,