A62050:526
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.
It is likely indeed that when they wander from Christ they may come home by weeping-cross (as out-lying Deer are full of fear; and therefore tis observed seldom fat) but they run the ways of Gods commandments with enlarged hearts. And what ever be the cause of their sorrow, whether their own sins, or thine, or others, or the afflictions of the church, whatever it be, their mourning is better then the carnal mirth.
It is likely indeed that when they wander from Christ they may come home by weeping-cross (as out-lying Deer are full of fear; and therefore tis observed seldom fat) but they run the waies of Gods commandments with enlarged hearts. And what ever be the cause of their sorrow, whether their own sins, or thine, or others, or the afflictions of the church, whatever it be, their mourning is better then the carnal mirth.
And this I dare undertake for them, that in their most disconsolate condition, they shall not change with the most prosperous ⟨p. 274⟩Prince in the world that is out of Christ. Alas, the comfort of a sinner as it is but short, like the crackling of thorns under a pot, so it is but shallow, skin deep at most, like a sudden storm of rain which wetteth the surface of the earth,1 but never sinketh to the root; their joy may smooth the brow, but cannot warm the breast; their looks may be sometimes lively, but their hearts are always heavy; For there is no peace to the wicked saith my God, Isa. 57.20. Their mirth is like some juicy plumbs which have stones with a bitter kernel. The stateliest and best accommodated houses of unsanctified men,2 are but like the nests of Wasps, where there may be curious combs, but no honey; many outward mercies, but no true inward mirth, no sweetness: when the voice of joy and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous,