A62050:54
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.
3. Take heed of sinning against those commands which thou knowest: Hold not the truth in unrighteousness; Do not wanton away the light, least God give thee up to judiciary darkness. Thou knowest thou shouldst pray with thy family, and in secret; make conscience of the Lords day, instruct thy children, forbear drunkenness, swearing, lying, uncleanness, and the like; be sure thou do not shut up this knowledge in thy conscience, and deny it in thy conversation, lest (as a candle pent up in a dark lantern) it swail out quickly. If any man will do my will, he shall know my doctrine whether it be of God or no, John 7.17. To practice what you know, is the way to know what to practice; Knowledge is the mother of obedience, it breeds it; and obedience is ⟨image 18⟩the nurse of knowledge, it feedeth and nurtureth it; if thou improvest thy little stock well, doubt not but God will add to it and increase it; leave no means untried for the obtaining this purchase. I have (if thou belongest to our Parish) offered thee to instruct thee to my power in the mysteries of Christ, appointed also days for that end; it may be thou art one of those many that ate too old to learn, that scorn to be taught. I would ask thee one question, and think of it, Art thou not too old to be saved? Dost thou not scorn to go to heaven? Surely thou dost; by contemning the way thou scornest the end. Well take heed thou dost not die without knowledge; for if thou dost, all the world cannot keep thee one quarter of an hour out of hell, and then thou wilt have time enough to befool thy self for refusing a good offer, and wilfully rejecting through thy pride those things which concerned thine eternal peace. I shall conclude this head with the words of that eminent and pious writer.1 How long (saith he) may a poor Minister sit in his study before any of the ignorant sort will come upon that errand (i. e. to learn the knowledge of God & themselves)! Lawyers ⟨image 18⟩have their Clients, and Physicians their Patients; these are sought after & called up at midnight for counsel; but alas the soul which is more worth then raiment and body too, that is neglected and the Minister seldom thought one, till both these be sent away.