The works of George Swinnock, M.A

Reader, Make sure of this inward change; otherwise, though thy conversation may be specious, it can never be gracious, nor thy profession durable. If the house be built on loose earth, it will never stand long. When the principles are variable and uncertain, so will the practices be. If the arguments upon which thou takest upon thee the livery of Christ, and the grounds of thy engagement in his service, be not firm and constant, the love of God, and hope of eternal ⟨p. 704⟩life, &c. such as the world and flesh cannot over-top, thou wilt throw up thy profession, and leave thy Master, when thou art offered in thy blind judgment a better service, though it be but the pleasures of sin for a season, with eternal pains at the end of them, for thy soul, and Saviour, and eternal salvation. How well may he prove a Bankrupt, who is worse then naught when he first sets up? I wonder not that many professors disown the Lord Jesus, when they were ignorant why they at any time owned him. He that takes up Religion on trust, will lay it down when it brings him into trouble. As the Celandine springeth and floweth at the coming of the Summer birds, but withereth at their departure; And the Corn that promiseth a good Harvest in the Blade, is blasted in the Ear, because its root is withered and naught; So the person that hath no sound foundation, though he seem to look high, will never hold out.

Reader, Make sure of this inward change; otherwise, though thy conversation may be specious, it can never be gracious, nor thy profession durable. If the house be built on loose earth, it will never stand long. When the principles are variable and uncertain, so will the practices be. If the arguments upon which thou takest upon thee the livery of Christ, and the grounds of thy engagement in his service, be not firm and constant, the love of God, and hope of eternal ⟨p. 704⟩life, &c. such as the world and flesh cannot over-top, thou wilt throw up thy profession, and leave thy Master, when thou art offered in thy blind judgment a better service, though it be but the pleasures of sin for a season, with eternal pains at the end of them, for thy soul, and Saviour, and eternal salvation. How well may he prove a Bankrupt, who is worse then naught when he first sets up? I wonder not that many pofessors disown the Lord Jesus, when they were ignorant why they at any time owned him. He that takes up Religion on trust, will lay it down when it brings him into trouble. As the Celendine springeth and floweth at the comming of the Summer birds, but withereth at their departure; And the Corn that promiseth a good Harvest in the Blade, is blasted in the Ear, because its root is withered and naught; So the person that hath no sound foundation, though he seem to look high, will never hold out.