The works of George Swinnock, M.A

To prevent that sad Apostasy which many are guilty of to their eternal undoing, Friend, consider seriously beforehand, what it will cost thee to be a Christian indeed. A foolish builder, that undertakes to raise a structure as high as Heaven, and pondereth not the charge thereof, gives over ⟨p. 705⟩before he hath half finished it, and so loseth all his expense and labour. As in marriage one that is wise, and considereth the person, his portion, and his precepts, with the cares and burdens that are incident to that condition, for such must have trouble in the flesh, and after this, upon mature deliberation, accepteth him for an Husband, will stick and cleave to him loyally and faithfully, whatever befalls him; whereas a foolish Maid that huddleth up a match in haste, hand over head, promising her self nothing but delight and pleasure, when she comes to suffer poverty or imprisonment, or disgrace with her Husband, repenteth of her bargain, and forsakes the guide of her youth; So the Christian that hath duly pondered the excellencies in Christ; his misery without Christ, absolute necessity of Christ; what love, and joy, and peace, and endless bliss, God offereth with his Son; what Christ expecteth from all that will be married to him, even the denial of themselves, the taking up of their Cross, the contempt of Father, Mother, Wife, Children, Estate, Life, and all for him, and after he hath duly considered all this, gives himself up to Christ, will be faithful unto death, and own the Lord Jesus Christ, whatever it may cost him, when the man that followeth Christ for the loaves, or for fashion, or on a sudden strikes a league with him, expecting nothing but comforts and joy in his contract, will quickly leave him, if called to suffer with him. He that followeth Christ, he knoweth not why, will forsake him, he knoweth not how.

To prevent that sad Apostacy which many are guilty of to their eternal undoing, Friend, consider serionsly beforehand, what it will cost thee to be a Christian indeed. A foolish builder, that undertakes to raise a structure as high as Heaven, and pondereth not the charge thereof, gives over ⟨p. 705⟩before he hath half finished it, and so loseth all his expence and labour. As in marriage one that is wise, and considereth the person, his portion, and his precepts, with the cares and burdens that are incident to that condition, for such must have trouble in the flesh, and after this, upon mature deliberation, accepteth him for an Husband, will stick and cleave to him loyally and faithfully, whatever befalls him; whereas a foolish Maid that hudleth up a match in haste, hand over head, promising her self nothing but delight and pleasure, when she comes to suffer poverty or imprisonment, or disgrace with her Husband, repenteth of her bargain, and forsakes the guide of her youth; So the Christian that hath duly pondered the excellencies in Christ; his misery without Christ, absolute necessity of Christ; what love, and joy, and peace, and endless bliss, God offereth with his Son; what Christ expecteth from all that will be married to him, even the denyal of themselves, the taking up of their Cross, the contempt of Father, Mother, Wife, Children, Estate, Life, and all for him, and after he hath duly considered all this, gives himself up to Christ, will be faithful unto death, and own the Lord Jesus Christ, whatever it may cost him, when the man that followeth Christ for the loaves, or for fashion, or on a sudden strikes a league with him, expecting nothing but comforts and joy in his contract, will quickly leave him, if called to suffer with him. He that followeth Christ, he knoweth not why, will forsake him, he knoweth not how.