The works of George Swinnock, M.A

Truly, so do too many serve time, they play and toy, and trifle it away, as if God had given it to them for that end; when he who hath but half an eye, as we say, may see that it was given for better purposes, viz. to furnish his soul for his eternal voyage, and thereby to help to stablish ⟨p. 841⟩and fasten him when he shall launch into the stormy Ocean. Protogenes made himself ridiculous in the judgement of all that are sober, for spending seven years in drawing Jalisus and his Dog; for though the most excellent Pictures are longest in drawing, yet to spend years about that which may be finished in days, argueth want of wisdom. But having spoken somewhat largely to this in the sixth Chap. I am the more brief in this.

Truly, so do too many serve time, they play and toy, and trifle it away, as if God had given it to them for that end; when he who hath but half an eye, as we say, may see that it was given for better purposes, viz. to furnish his soul for his eternal voyage, and thereby to help to stablish ⟨p. 841⟩and fasten him when he shall lanch into the stormy Ocean. Protogenes made himself ridiculous in the judgement of all that are sober, for spending seven years in drawing Ialisus and his Dog; for though the most excellent Pictures are longest in drawing, yet to spend years about that which may be finished in days, argueth want of wisdom. But having spoken somewhat largely to this in the sixt Chap. I am the more brief in this.

Thirdly, Consider the examples of others, who have wrought hard at this heavenly Calling. Cicero tells us, Nothing prevails more with men then similitudes and examples; Indeed worthy patterns are of great power. Thucydides brake forth into tears out of love to learning, upon hearing Herodotus read an history that he had written. Themistocles tells us, The statue of Miltiades would not suffer him to sleep. Alexander was much provoked to valiant acts, by reading the prowess of Achilles and Hector in Homer. Cesar was so stirred to courage by reading the conquests of Alexander in his youth. that he wept for anger that he had done nothing worthy of himself at that age. Iron put into the fire is turned into fire; consider therefore the Prophets and Apostles of the Lord, how diligent they were at their duty, how hard they wrought for God.