The works of George Swinnock, M.A

for twill come to me, as the Prophet to that King, with doleful, dreadful tidings; Twill bring me news of a dismal dungeon of darkness, to be my habitation, of Lyons, and Scorpions, and Dragons, to be my companions, of a never dying worm, an unquenchable fire, pure wrath without mixture, full torments without measure, to be my portion for ever and ever; O teach me so to live above this vain empty life, so to be crucified to this world, so to make my peace with thy Majesty, through the great peacemaker, and Prince of Peace, my Lord Jesus, so to set my heart and house, my spiritual and temporal concernments in order, that I may be delivered from the paw of the Lyon, from the teeth of this monster, from the sting of this Serpent; and though my body be destroyed, yet my soul may escape, as a bird out of the snare of the Fowler, and mount up to thy self, to enjoy that happy life which shall know no death.

for twill come to me, as the Prophet to that King, with doleful, dreadful tidings; Twill bring me news of a dismal dungeon of darkness, to be my habitation, of Lyons, and Scorpions, and Dragons, to be my companions, of a never dying worm, an unquenchable fire, pure wrath without mixture, full torments without measure, to be my portion for ever and ever; O teach me so to live above this vain empty life, so to be crucified to this world, so to make my peace with thy Majesty, through the great peacemaker, and Prince of Peace, my Lord Iesus, so to set my heart and house, my spiritual and temporal concernments in order, that I may be delivered from the paw of the Lyon, from the teeth of this monster, from the sting of this Serpent; and though my body be destroyed, yet my soul may escape, as a bird out of the snare of the Fowler, and mount up to thy self, to enjoy that happy life which shall know no death.

I Wish that all the days of my appointed time I may exercise my self herein,¹ to keep a conscience void of offence towards God, and towards all men. There ⟨p. 692⟩are but two which can afford me real comfort in a dying hour, which always take the same side and join together; God and my conscience. Humane friends often stand afar off, when they should be most near, and I have most need; Some of them are loth to come to a sick mans chamber. Mournful objects must not disturb their jollity and mirth. They are sworn enemies to sorrowful occasions, and banish such foes their quarters, or themselves from such coasts. Others if they come to visit me, love not to see my ghastly countenance, like not to hear my deep and deadly groans. But be they never so full of pity, they can only sympathize with me, they cannot relieve, refresh me. The most they can do, is to accompany me to my grave, and there they leave me; But, O the comfort which a loving God, and a conscience sprinkled with the blood of Christ, and purged from dead works, will afford me in a dying hour! The smiles of a God, and cheerings of a good conscience, will be music indeed, to welcome me to the shore, after all my tumblings and tossings in this tempestuous Ocean. They will make my bed in my sickness, help me to lye easy, hearten me in my sighs and groans, be my feast at my funeral, bid me Be of good cheer, for my sins are forgiven me; tell me that my Redeemer liveth, and because he liveth, I shall live also; lodge my body in a grave, as in a Bed of Spices, and convey my soul into my Saviours Bosom and Embraces; when my Houses, Lands, Honours, Friends, Wife, Children leave me, they will cleave to me: nay when my breath, life, heart, flesh forsake me, they will not fail me; yea, when faith, hope, patience, repentance, shall bid me farewell weeping, as Orpah