The works of George Swinnock, M.A

In the greatest distress, Faith can see deliverance; and when it is at the greatest distance, salute it, as Abraham did Christs day, afar off. When the weather is cloudy, it can see the Heaven begin to clear, and notwithstanding his present pain and poverty, cause the Christian to rejoice in his hope of bliss and glory. The eye of Faith, looking to the recompense of reward, seeth afflictions with the Israel of God, much more eligible then the pleasures of sin.¹ Symphorianus a Christian young man, after he was almost scourged to death, being dragged to Execution at Augustodunum, met his Mother, not crying, or tearing her hair, but like an Holy Lady thus comforting him, Son, my Son, I say, Remember life eternal, look up to Heaven; Life is not taken from thee, but exchanged for a better; At which words of his Mother, he went on willingly to the Block, and exposed his Throat to the fatal Axe; One of the Dutch Martyrs feeling the flame coming to him, said, O what a small pain is this, to Heaven! Our blessed Saviour had an eye to the joy set before him, and thereby was encouraged to endure the Cross, and despise the shame; Indeed, if Faith spring a leak, then the waters break in, and the Christian sinks apace, as we see in Peters denial of his Master.

In the greatest distress, Faith can see deliverance; and when it is at the greatest distance, salute it, as Abraham did Christs day, afar off. When the weather is cloudy, it can see the Heaven begin to clear, and notwithstanding his present pain and poverty, cause the Christian to rejoyce in his hope of bliss and glory. The eye of Faith, looking to the recompence of reward, seeth afflictions with the Israel of God, much more eligible then the pleasures of sin.¹ Symphorianus a Christian young man, after he was almost scourged to death, being draged to Execution at Augustodunum, met his Mother, not crying, or tearing her hair, but like an Holy Lady thus comforting him, Son, my Son, I say, Remember life eternal, look up to Heaven; Life is not taken from thee, but exchanged for a better; At which words of his Mother, he went on willingly to the Block, and exposed his Throat to the fatal Ax; One of the Dutch Martyrs feeling the flame coming to him, said, O what a small pain is this, to Heaven! Our blessed Saviour had an eye to the joy set before him, and thereby was encouraged to endure the Cross, and despise the shame; Indeed, if Faith spring a leak, then the waters break in, and the Christian sinks apace, as we see in Peters denial of his Master.