The works of George Swinnock, M.A

An old man of Brazil discoursing with the Merchants of France and Portugal, and perceiving the long and dangerous voyages which they took to get riches; asked them, If men did not dye with them as well as in other Countries? They told him, Yea. He asked them, who should possess their riches after their deaths? They said, their Children if they had any; if not, their next kindred. Now, saith the old man, I perceive ye are fools; for ⟨p. 836⟩what necessity is there for you to pass the troublesome Seas wherein so many perish, and to run so many hazards? Is not the earth that brought you up, sufficient to bring up your children and kindred also? We have children and kindred that are likewise dear to us; but when we consider that the earth which nourisheth us is sufficient to nourish them, we rest satisfied.

An old man of Brasil discoursing with the Merchants of France and Portugal, and perceiving the long and dangerous voyages which they took to get riches; asked them, If men did not dye with them as well as in other Countries? They told him, Yea. He asked them, who should possess their riches after their deaths? They said, their Children if they had any; if not, their next kindred. Now, saith the old man, I perceive ye are fools; for ⟨p. 836⟩what necessity is there for you to pass the troublesome Seas wherein so many perish, and to run so many hazards? Is not the earth that brought you up, sufficient to bring up your children and kindred also? We have children and kindred that are likewise dear to us; but when we consider that the earth which nourisheth us is sufficient to nourish them, we rest satisfied.

That busy Bee and great trouble-world Alexander, had a tart yet wise reproof from Diogenes, when being taken with the Philosophers witty answers, he bade him ask what he would and he would give it him; The Philosopher desired him to grant him the smallest portion of immortality. Alexander said, that is not in my power to give; Then saith the Philosopher, Why doth Alexander take such pains, and make such sir to conquer the world, when he cannot assure himself of one moment to enjoy it! Ah! why should thou neglect thy God and Christ, and soul and eternal good, and tyre and weary thy self night and day, for these unsatisfying comforts which may leave thee to morrow, and of which thou canst not secure the enjoyment of one moment! If God complain of wicked men, and threatens them with fierce wrath and fiery indignation, for selling the righteous for silver, and the poor for a pair of shoes, and would make them know that he valued his people at an higher price, and would not suffer them to be sold at such a rate: What will become of thee if thou shouldst sell thy soul, thy salvation, thy God, thy Christ, for silver, for vain, unsatisfying corruptible silver, when their value is above millions of worlds!