The works of George Swinnock, M.A

Frequent examination keepeth the conscience raw and tender, that the least touch of sin will be offensive and troublesome to it. When the heart is used to yield at a small Willow, it will never be quiet under a great Oak. Searching into our souls, makes sin more loathsome to us. Whilst these filthy sinks are unstirred, they do but little disturb us, or annoy us with their filthy savour, but when by examination we rake into them, their noisome stench offendeth us extremely, and shows us what need we have of cleansing.

Frequent examination keepeth the conscience raw and tender, that the least touch of sin will be offensive and troublesom to it. When the heart is used to yeild at a small Willow, it will never be quiet under a great Oak. Searching into our souls, makes sin more loathsom to us. Whilst these filthy sinks are unstir'd, they do but little disturb us, or annoy us with their filthy savour, but when by examination we rake into them, their noysom stench offendeth us extremely, and shews us what need we have of cleansing.

Examination every night, will help the Christian to a good nights rest; How comfortably may he lye down, who hath made all even with his Maker, and heard his everlasting Father bidding him Good-night? How quietly may he sleep, who hath his pardon under his Pillow! he needs not fear any Officer to call him up at midnight, and attach him for any treasons or misdemeanours.

Its said of Cato, that constantly at evening he would call to mind what ever he had seen, ¹read, or done that day. It was Pythagoras rule to his Scholars, That they should no night suffer sleep to seize their senses, till they had three times recalled the accidents and passages of the day. O what a shame is it, that Moralists who had no true sense of the benefit of such a duty, should out-go the Christian in the performance of it! That many persons should know