A62040:1248
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.
Chapter 14: Motives inciting Christians to exercise themselves to Godliness. The Vanity of other ex…
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.
Now Reader, Consider how few thy days are; What is your life! even a vapour, a coming, and a going, a flood and an ebb, and then thou art in the Ocean of eternity. I have read of one, that being asked, What life was; was answered answerless; for the party of whom the question was demanded, only turned his back and went away. We come into the world and take a turn or two about in it, and God saith, Return ye Children of men; A little child may number the days of the oldest man; We project high things, and lay foundations for an earthly eternity; but the longest life is less then a drop to that Ocean. Yet alas, the most are blown off in the spring, and few continue to fall off in Autumn. Plutarch compareth Galba, ⟨p. 839⟩Otho, and Vitellius, in regard of their short reign, to Kings in Tragedies, which last no longer then the time in which they are represented on the Stage.
Now Reader, Consider how few thy days are; What is your life! even a vapour, a coming, and a going, a flood and an ebbe, and then thou art in the Ocean of eternity. I have read of one, that being asked, What life was; was answered answerless; for the party of whom the question was demanded, onely turned his back and went away. We come into the world and take a turn or two about in it, and God saith, Return ye Children of men; A little child may number the days of the oldest man; We project high things, and lay foundations for an earthly eternity; but the longest life is less then a drop to that Ocean. Yet alas, the most are blown off in the spring, and few continue to fall off in Autumn. Plutarch compareth Galba, ⟨p. 839⟩Otho, and Vitellius, in regard of their short reign, to Kings in Tragedies, which last no longer then the time in which they are represented on the Stage.
The River Hypanis in Scythia, bringeth forth every day little bladders, out of which come certain Flies, which are bred in the morning, fledged at noon, and dye at night; Man cometh up like a flower, and is cut down, he fleeth as a shadow and continueth not,