A62052:135
The pastors farewell, and wish of welfare to his people, or, A valedictory sermonThe pastors farevvell, and vvish of vvelfare to his people, or, A valedictory sermon
The pastors farewell, and wish of welfare to his people, or, A valedictory sermon by George Swinnock ...The pastors farevvell, and vvish of vvelfare to his people, or, A valedictory sermon by George Swinnock ...
London: printed for Tho. Parkhurst, 1662
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
Are your fears spiritual, God is able to be your defence; Its probable your suspicions are great, that you shall fall off or fall away. The World is a slippery place, but he is able to keep you from falling, Jude v. 4. We are apt to fall on the right hand by its allurements. Its rich Wine is apt to intoxicate our brains, and make us stumble. We are apt to fall on the left hand by its affrightments, as the silver of its comforts fouls our fingers, so the fire of its cross is apt to black and defile us. Those that travail in rugged ways, and on stony lanes often fall; but God is able to keep you from falling. If God keep his hold of you there is no fear, but ye will keep your feet and your ground too. We are kept by his power, through faith unto salvation. His power and his love are the Eagles Wings upon which the Saints are carried out of Egypt, through the Wilderness, and safely conveyed to Canaan.
He can keep you from falling two ways.
1. He can deny temptations to you, if he see they will be too hard for you. All have not the same faith, therefore all are not tried in the same fire, He may give a strong purge or vomit to a strong man, but will not to a babe in grace. He knoweth whether the Armour will bow, and if it will, he can prevent the bullet. He is acquainted with the hardiest Soldiers in his Army, and them he will call to the hardest service, Rev. 3.10. When the weather is very bad, he will not venture his sickly child abroad.
1. He can deny temptations to you, if he see they will be too hard for you. All have not the same faith, therefore all are not tryed in the same fire, He may give a strong purge or vomit to a strong man, but wil not to a babe in grace. He knoweth whether the Armour will bow, and if it will, he can prevent the bullet. He is acquainted with the hardiest Souldiers in his Army, and them he will call to the hardest service,