The works of George Swinnock, M.A

1. Is not that worthy to be made thy business, upon which the true comfort and joy of thy life, during thy whole pilgrimage doth depend? Comfort is the cream, the top of life, joy is the flower, the honey, the life of life; Life without comfort, without delight is a living death. If the body be disquieted with diseases, and aches, and pains, the soul as a tender Husband sympathizing with his bride, though the patient be heir of a Kingdom, and commander of large dominions, yet all creatures to him are unsavoury morsels, and as an aguish palate, he can taste, can relish nothing; Job in distress speaks in such a mans dialect, Why is light given to him that is in misery, and life to the bitter in soul? Job 3. 20. Light is one of the most excellent things that God hath made, and is therefore used by the Holy Ghost to set out not only the Word of God, and the Work of Godliness, Psa. 119. 105. 1 John 1. 7. but also Christ, and Heaven, and God himself, 1 Joh. 9. 1 Colos. 12. 1 John 1. 5. Life is the Apex, the highest stair, the top-stone, the choicest of all temporal mercies; There is no flower in natures garden for beauty or excellency comparable to it; therefore men if brought to the pinch will part with all to redeem this; Skin for skin, all that a man hath will he give for his life. The loss of life is the chiefest outward loss, and esteemed the greatest satisfaction to justice or nature. The desire of life is indeed the greatest earthly blessing, the most loyal ⟨image 8⟩people can desire for their loving Prince; Let the King live; but light and life as precious pearls as they are, become burdens most toilsome and tedious to men without comfort. Joy to life, is as the form to the matter, which animates and actuates it, and makes it spiteful and lively; Why is light given to one in misery, and life to the bitter in soul?

1. Is not that worthy to be made thy business, upon which the true comfort and joy of thy life, during thy whole pilgrimage doth depend? Comfort is the cream, the top of life, joy is the flower, the honey, the life of life; Life without comfort, without delight is a living death. If the body be disquieted with diseases, and aches, and pains, the soul as a tender Husband sympathizing with his bride, though the patient be heir of a Kingdom, and commander of large dominions, yet all creatures to him are unsavoury morsels, and as an aguish pallat, he can taste, can rellish nothing; Iob in distress speaks in such a mans dilect, Why is light given to him that is in misery, and life to the bitter in soul?