The works of George Swinnock, M.A

Though the path of sin be smooth, and pleasing to thy flesh; yet thou wilt find it slippery, and killing to thy spirit: Its like an evening star to usher in a night of blackness, of darkness for ever. The way of holiness is more harsh to the body, but the only Nectar of the soul; Ah Reader, if thou wilt but choose it, thou wilt find by experience, that twill be like Hannibal's passage over the Alps, a way which will require some pains, but twill lead thee into the heavenly Paradise, at that did him into the worlds garden, Italy.

Though the path of sin be smooth, and pleasing to thy flesh; yet thou wilt find it slippery, and killing to thy spirit: Its like an evening star to usher in a night of blackness, of darkness for ever. The way of holiness is more harsh to the body, but the onely Nectar of the soul; Ah Reader, if thou wilt but choose it, thou wilt find by experience, that twill be like Hannibal's passage over the Alpes, a way which will require some pains, but twill lead thee into the heavenly Paradise, at that did him into the worlds garden, Italy.

Reader, Let me therefore bespeak thee, or rather God himself. Thus saith the Lord of Hosts, Turn unto me saith the Lord of Hosts, and I will turn unto thee, saith Lord of Hosts, Zach. 1. 3. After all thy neglect and contempt of God and his word, after all thy wanderings and wickedness, thou hast one call ⟨p. 875⟩more to turn and live; In which thy Maker doth three times pawn and interpose the authority of his name to confirm his word. The Lord of Hosts, three times he doth as it were bring his Angels, his Hosts with him, in this precept and promise (as once to Sinai at the delivery of the law.) 1. As witnesses of his truth. 2. As avengers of him on them that despise his call. 3. As rejoicers for those that turn unto him. O friend, Consider it, that God who might have turned thee into hell, commandeth thee now after all thy folly and lewdness to turn to him; yea, he promiseth that if thou dost come at his call, he will meet thee half way, and turn unto thee. It is not for his own sake that he is so earnest with thee, for he can be happy without thee; he hath no addition by thy salvation, he suffereth no diminution by thy damnation; but he calleth on thee for thy good, that thou mightst be happy in his favour. It was the saying of Antigona that she ought to please them with whom she hoped to remain for ever. Ah doth it not concern thee to please that God upon whom tho dependest for thy eternal weal or woe?