The works of George Swinnock, M.A

There is a hole in our strongest Bags, and rust in our choicest metal. The Apostle calls riches uncertain riches, and honour a fancy, and all the things of this world a fashion, 1 Tim. 6.17. Act. 24. 1 Cor. 7. 29. We are not certain to keep these birds in our yards whilst we live; for Riches make ⟨p. 835⟩themselves wings and fly away; but we are certain, if they do not leave us, that we shall leave them. We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we shall carry nothing out of the world.

There is a hole in our strongest Bags, and rust in our choicest mettal. The Apostle calls riches uncertain riches, and honour a fancy, and all the things of this world a fashion, 1 Tim. 6.17. Act. 24. 1 Cor. 7. 29. We are not certain to keep these birds in our yards whilst we live; for Riches make ⟨p. 835⟩themselves wings and flie away; but we are certain, if they do not leave us, that we shall leave them. We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we shall carry nothing out of the world.

Reader, how unwise is he who neglecteth eternal substance, for fading nothings! The Romans are recorded as guilty of much folly, that in their fight with Mithridates, they were so eager after their prey, that thereby they missed taking the King, who could not otherwise have escaped their hands. Ah! how foolish art thou, if through thy violent pursuit of a perishing world, thou shouldst lose an eternal kingdom! As Constantinople was lost through the covetousness of the Citizens; so is the crown of life and glory, the City that hath a foundation through mens eager endeavours after earthly things. The beloved Disciple doth not unfitly represent all the beauties, and glories, and excellencies of this lower world, under the name and notion of the Moon, which is ever in changes, and never looks upon us twice with the same face, and when it is at the fullest, is blemished with a dark spot, and next door to declining,