The works of George Swinnock, M.A

The Conclusion.

Reader, I have now ended this Treatise, but whether thou (if a stranger to this calling) wilt ⟨p. 869⟩put an end to thy carnal fleshly ways, and begin this high and heavenly work or no, I know not. If thou art ambitious, thou hast here encouragement sufficient; godliness will ennoble thee, and render thy blood not only honourable, but royal. If thou art voluptuous, here is a bait which may take thee; godliness will bring thee to a river of pleasures, to such dainties and delights as take the hearts of perfect and glorious Angels. If thou art covetous, here is a golden weight to turn the scales of thy desires and endeavours; godliness is profitable unto all things, it hath the promise of this life, and of that which is to come; when thy house, and lands, and honours, and neighbours, and wife, and children, and flesh, and heart fail thee and forsake thee; godliness would say to thee, (and stand to it also) as Peter •o Christ; though all forsake thee, yet will not I. W•en the worlds Trinity, Credit, Profit, and Pleasure serve their lovers and worshippers as Rats and Mice do an house, leave it when it is on fire, fly from them in their need and extremity; godliness would stick to thee as close, as fast as Ruth to Naomi; where thou goest it would go, where thou lodgest it would lodge; nay, it would follow thee into the other world, and abide with thee, a cordial, a comfort for ever; It would give thee cause to say to it, as she to her daughter in law, thou hast showed more kindness to me at the latter end then at the beginning.

Reader, I have now ended this Treatise, but whether thou (if a stranger to this calling) wilt ⟨p. 869⟩put an end to thy carnal fleshly ways, and begin this high and heavenly work or no, I know not. If thou art ambitious, thou hast here encouragement sufficient; godliness will ennoble thee, and render thy blood not only honourable, but royal. If thou art voluptuous, here is a bait which may take thee; godliness will bring thee to a river of pleasures, to such dainties and delights as take the hearts of perfect and glorious Angels. If thou art covetous, here is a golden weight to turn the scales of thy desires and endeavours; godliness is profitable unto all things, it hath the promise of this life, and of that which is to come; when thy house, and lands, and honours, and neighbours, and wife, and children, and flesh, and heart faile thee and forsake thee; godliness would say to thee, (and stand to it also) as Peter o Christ; though all forsake thee, yet will not I. Wen the worlds Trinity, Credit, Profit, and Pleasure serve their lovers and worshippers as Rats and Mice do an house, leave it when it is on fire, flye from them in their need and extremity; godliness would stick to thee as close, as fast as Ruth to Naomi; where thou goest it would go, where thou lodgest it would lodge; nay, it would follow thee into the other world, and abide with thee, a cordial, a comfort for ever; It would give thee cause to say to it, as she to her daughter in law, thou hast shewed more kindness to me at the latter end then at the beginning.