A62052:164
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.
The Hen doth not only fear the Ravenous Fowls, but runneth away if she see so much as their shadow. Turn not in the least away from Gods law, but hate the appearance, and shun the occasion of evil. Many will labour to keep their credits, and to save their purses, do you labour to ⟨p. 64⟩keep your consciences, and to save your piety, and your souls.
The Hen doth not onely fear the Ravenous Fowls, but runneth away if she see so much as their shadow. Turn not in the least away from Gods law, but hate the appearance, and shun the occasion of evil. Many will labour to keep their credits, and to save their purses, do you labour to ⟨p. 64⟩keep your consciences, and to save your piety, and your souls.
Thirdly, To be your Buckler against opposition. The Gospel is a Magazine, out of which Christians may be furnished with spiritual weapons in their holy war against the kingdom of darkness. Other armour, as of parts and gifts, morality and examples is (as Alexander said of the Persians, 1when he saw them come into the field so richly clothed to fight with the Grecians) rather a prey to the Enemy then a defence to the Soldiers that wears it. Tis the word which is a shield against evil principles, Mat. 22.29. it may fitly be called (as Austin sometime was) Haereticorum malleus, the Hammer of Heresy. He that is mighty in Scripture, is the man that can hit this unclean Bird in the eye, and wound it mortally with one blow, Act. 18.28. Even Women, that are the weaker sex with this Sword in their hands (having learned from the Spirit how to use it) have encountered with great Doctors, disarmed them of all their Philosophical weapons, and shamefully foiled them. A Fryer being angry at Luther for spoiling their market, said, That had it not been for Luther, they could have persuaded the Germans to have eaten; lay aside Scripture, and seducers shall prevail with you to eat poison.