The works of George Swinnock, M.A

O Reader, of what worth is that which will help thee, as the three Children, to sing in the midst of so many flaming fiery furnaces, and preserve thee from being hurt, or so much as touched therewith! Truly Godliness will do this for thee, it will turn this day of the perdition of ungodly men into a day of redemption to thee; As true Gold is not consumed by the hottest fire, and the Salamander can live in the greatest flames; so the godly man, in the midst of all those fires and flames, will live and flourish though millions of ungodly ones are scorched and tortured. As he is a King now reigning over his stubborn lusts and unruly passions; that will be his Coronation day, wherein he will appear before the whole world in all his glory and royalty. As he is a Husbandman now sowing to the Spirit; that will be his Harvest-day, wherein he shall reap the fruit of all his prayers, and tears, and watchings, and fastings, and labour, and sufferings. As he is compared to a Virgin, betrothed to Christ, now keeping his garments white and clean, and devoting himself to the service and honour, and commands of his Lord; that will be his Marriage day, wherein he shall be arrayed in fine linen, the righteousness of the Saints, adorned with the jewels of perfect graces, and solemnly espoused to the King of Saints, the heir of all things, and the fairest of ten thousands, the Lord Jesus Christ. As he is a servant, now doing not his own, but the will of his Master in Heaven, and finishing his work; that will be the day wherein his Indentures will expire, and he shall enjoy the glorious, liberty of the Sons of God. As he is a Son, now yielding reverence and obedience to the ⟨image 15⟩Father of Spirits, that will be the day wherein he shall be declared to be of full age, and enjoy his portion and inheritance. As he is a Soldier now fighting the good fight of faith, warring a good warfare, enduring much hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ; that will be the day wherein he shall be called off the guard, discharged of those tiresome, toilsome duties, incumbent on him in this life, and receive his garland, a Crown of everlasting life.

O Reader, of what worth is that which will help thee, as the three Children, to sing in the midst of so many flaming fiery furnaces, and preserve thee from being hurt, or so much as toucht therewith! Truely Godliness will do this for thee, it will turn this day of the perdition of ungodly men into a day of redemption to thee; As true Gold is not consumed by the hottest fire, and the Salamander can live in the greatest flames; so the godly man, in the midst of all those fires and flames, will live and flourish though millions of ungodly ones are scorched and tortured. As he is a King now reigning over his stubborn lusts and unruly passions; that will be his Coronation day, wherein he will appear before the whole world in all his glory and royalty. As he is a Husbandman now sowing to the Spirit; that will be his Harvest-day, wherein he shall reap the fruit of all his prayers, and tears, and watchings, and fastings, and labour, and sufferings. As he is compared to a Virgin, betrothed to Christ, now keeping his garments white and clean, and devoting himself to the service and honour, and commands of his Lord; that will be his Marriage day, wherein he shall be arrayed in fine linnen, the righteousness of the Saints, adorned with the jewels of perfect graces, and solemnly espoused to the King of Saints, the heir of all things, and the fairest of ten thousands, the Lord Jesus Christ. As he is a servant, now doing not his own, but the will of his Master in Heaven, and finishing his work; that will be the day wherein his Indentures will expire, and he shall enjoy the glorious, liberty of the Sons of God. As he is a Son, now yielding reverence and obedience to the