A62040:1084
The works of George Swinnock, M.A
The works of George Swinnock, M.A. containing these several treatises ...
London: printed by J.B. for Tho. Parkhurst, 1665
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.
Watch for the doing of good; For seasons of Prayer, and Hearing, and Christian Communion. The Country-man watcheth for the Bell ringing on the Market-day, when the sacks will be opened, that he may buy food for himself and his family. The Mariner watcheth for the Tide; The diseased folk watched for the moving of the waters, by the Angels. David watched as a Sparrow on the house top, where he might peck up some corn, ⟨p. 742⟩get some spiritual nourishment. An opportunity of worshipping God is a jewel, the Christian may well watch to take it up.
Watch in duties; The Child must be watched at School, or he will play and toy instead of getting his lesson. The heart must be watched in an Ordinance, or it will wander wholly from the business in hand; continue in prayer, and watch in the same, Col. 4. 2. Take heed how ye hear; The Bible will drop out of the sleepers hand, and prayer is a wrestling with God, which is not a work to be done nodding; They who talk in their sleep, talk idly.
Watch in duties; The Child must be watcht at School, or he will play and toy instead of getting his lesson. The heart must be watched in an Ordinance, or it will wander wholly from the business in hand; continue in prayer, and watch in the same, Col. 4. 2. Take heed how ye hear; The Bible will drop out of the sleepers hand, and prayer is a wrestling with God, which is not a work to be done nodding; They who talk in their sleep, talk idly.
Watch after duties. Running carelessly into the open air, immediately after the taking of Physic, is dangerous. When the Garden is dressed, and the seeds sown in it, we must watch it, lest Hogs get into it, and root up all. Satan thinks to take the Christian at an advantage, after the duty is over; and though he could not beat him in the fight, yet to do it when the Saint hath laid by his weapons. It was a wise speech of Marcus Aurelius, after he had vanquished Popilion, General of the potent Parthians, and won the day, I tell thee of a truth, that I stand in greater fear of fortune at this present, then I did before the battle, for she careth not so much to overtake the Conquered, as to overcome the Conqueror. Truly, Satan will be industrious to destroy both the conquered utterly, and to overcome the Conqueror.