The works of George Swinnock, M.A

Reader, If thou art unacquainted with this high and honourable, this worthy and noble Calling of Christianity; I shall appeal to thy reason and conscience, in the tender of some questions, possibly one or other of them may prevail with thee to bind thy self Apprentice to it. As a Fowler, according to the different nature of his game, contrives and appropriates his stratagems, that some he catcheth with light, as Larks with a glass and day nets; some with baits, as Pigeons with pease; some with frights, as Blackbirds with a low-bell; some with company, as Ducks with decoy fowl. So I shall endeavour to suit my questions to thy temper, whatever it be, that if either the light of reason, or the bait of unconceivable and infinite profit, or the frights of dreadful threatenings and comminations, or the company of Christ the captain of our salvation and all his followers and Soldiers, who marched to Heaven in this way, will win upon thee, I may persuade thee to make Religion thy business. O that being crafty, I might catch thee with holy guile! To this end I beseech thee to weigh the questions, again, and again, as thou readest them, and to dart up thy prayers to Heaven for a ⟨image 7⟩blessing on them, that thou mayst not reject the counsel of God against thy own soul, but hearken to counsel, receive instruction, and be wise for thy latter end.

Reader, If thou art unacquainted with this high and honourable, this worthy and noble Calling of Christianity; I shall appeal to thy reason and conscience, in the tender of some questions, possibly one or other of them may prevail with thee to bind thy self Apprentice to it. As a Fowler, according to the different nature of his game, contrives and appropriates his stratagems, that some he catcheth with light, as Larks with a glass and day nets; some with baits, as Pigeons with pease; some with frights, as Blackbirds with a low-bell; some with company, as Ducks with decoy fowl. So I shall endeavour to suit my questions to thy temper, whatever it be, that if either the light of reason, or the bait of unconceiveable and infinite profit, or the frights of dreadful threatnings and comminations, or the company of Christ the captain of our salvation and all his followers and Souldiers, who marched to Heaven in this way, will win upon thee, I may perswade thee to make Religion thy business. O that being crafty, I might catch thee with holy guile! To this end I beseech thee to weigh the questions, again, and again, as thou readest them, and to dart up thy prayers to Heaven for a