The works of George Swinnock, M.A

Call thy self to an account for thy sins; Let heart and life sins, open and private sins, omissions, commissions, personal, relative, be all reckoned for. Ask thy soul as Rebekah, Why am I thus? Why am I so false to my God? so unfaithful to my Covenants? The heart is like a Ditch, into which filth is continually running, and therefore it behoveth thee by examination, to be always emptying it. The Stable that is daily fowled, must be daily cleansed; The hands that are daily contracting dirt, must be daily washed. Our souls are more polluted and diseased then our bodies; we have always a filthy issue of sin running, which we must be daily searching into, and dressing, or our stench will make ⟨p. 787⟩us loathsome to, and unfit for any communion with God or his people.

Call thy self to an account for thy sins; Let heart and life sins, open and private sins, omissions, commissions, personal, relative, be all reckoned for. Ask thy soul as Rebecah, Why am I thus? Why am I so false to my God? so unfaithful to my Covenants? The heart is like a Ditch, into which filth is continually running, and therefore it behoveth thee by examination, to be always emptying it. The Stable that is daily fowled, must be daily cleansed; The hands that are daily contracting dirt, must be daily washed. Our souls are more polluted and diseased then our bodies; we have always a filthy issue of sin running, which we must be daily searching into, and dressing, or our stench will make ⟨p. 787⟩us loathsom to, and unfit for any communion with God or his people.

Call thy self to an account daily for thy mercies; Ask thy self, How much am I indebted to my God? what privative, what positive mercies do I partake of? what old, what new, what night, what day mercies, what mercies at home, what abroad, what personal, what domestical, what national mercies do I enjoy? or am a sharer in? what bodily, what spiritual mercies do I receive? what time, what talents, have I to trade with, and reckon for? This will help the soul to be speedy and hearty in thankfulness, and force it to Davids Interrogation, What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits? What hot love should I return, what an holy life should I lead? Do this daily; It is much better to pay sums when they are little, then when they are large. Wise men that are able, find it the best way to pay ready money for their wares. Neglect herein, causeth many mistakes and inconveniences, and many times differences amongst friends.