The works of George Swinnock, M.A

So absolute is the necessity of mans making Religion his business, that upon his diligence or negligence herein, his eternal salvation or damnation ⟨image 6⟩doth depend. If any man will be Christs Disciple, he must deny himself, disclaim all title, and disown all right to himself, have nothing more to do with himself, as upon his own account, and make an unfeigned, unreserved dedication of himself, and all that he hath to the honour and interest of his Redeemer. Sanctification is a separation from all common to sacred uses, and this must be done with all the heart, and soul, and strength, in the whole course of the life, by all that will escape the wrath to come; God commandeth men to strive to enter in at the straight gate, to work out their salvations with fear and trembling, to be holy as he is holy, in all manner of conversation; and his word is like the Law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be altered. He hath enjoined nothing but what his infinite wisdom saw fit, and he is resolved not to vary the least tittle, not to abate the least farthing of the price he hath set. Foolish men are so besotted by their deceitful hearts, and befooled by the Devil, that they complement with Religion, and only give it an outside formal salute, instead of cordial embraces, and real entertainment. They deal with religion, as Anacharsis saith the Athenians dealt with money, using it for no other end but to number and cast up accounts with, whereas it might have served them for excellent purposes. So they use Religion only for a show, for fashion, for custom, and are satisfied with an hypocritical way of Worshipping God, and think to put God off therewith, whereas it would serve them for high and ⟨image 7⟩honourable ends, it would if entertained in the power and life of it, elevate the Christian above this beggarly world, enable him to combat with, and conquer his sturdy stubborn lusts, and the power and policy of Hell, help him to a conversation in Heaven, to converse and communion with the Father, and Jesus Christ his Son, and dress his soul for a blessed eternity.

So absolute is the necessity of mans making Religion his business, that upon his diligence or negligence herein, his eternal salvation or damnation ⟨image 6⟩doth depend. If any man will be Christs Disciple, he must deny himself, disclaim all title, and disown all right to himself, have nothing more to do with himself, as upon his own account, and make an unfaigned, unreserved dedication of himself, and all that he hath to the honour and interest of his Redeemer. Sanctification is a separation from all common to sacred uses, and this must be done with all the heart, and soul, and strength, in the whole course of the life, by all that will escape the wrath to come; God commandeth men to strive to enter in at the straight gate, to work out their salvations with fear and trembling, to be holy as he is holy, in all manner of conversation; and his word is like the Law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be altered. He hath enjoyned nothing but what his infinite wisdom saw fit, and he is resolved not to vary the least tittle, not to abate the least farthing of the price he hath set. Foolish men are so besotted by their deceitful hearts, and befooled by the Devil, that they complement with Religion, and onely give it an outside formal salute, instead of cordial embraces, and real entertainment. They deal with religion, as Anacharsis saith the Athenians dealt with money, using it for no other end but to number and cast up accounts with, whereas it might have served them for excellent purposes. So they use Religion onely for a shew, for fashion, for custom, and are satisfied with an hypocritical way of Worshipping God, and think to put God off therewith, whereas it would serve them for high and