The works of George Swinnock, M.A

When I look upon my Wife and Children, in whom I have through mercy much comfort and contentment; yet their value, as natural relations, is small; for so they shall not be mine for ever; and therefore they that have wives, are commanded to be as though they had none. But when I look upon grace, upon godliness, upon religion, upon the Image of God; O of what infinite worth, and price, and value are they, because they are lasting, they are everlasting, they are mine for ever! When honours, and crowns, and robes, and sceptres are but for a few days; when stately palaces, and costly manors, and treasures, gold and pearl are but for a short time; when the most lovely, and loving wives, and husbands, and sons, and daughters, and friends are ⟨image 16⟩frail and fading, The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever. Godliness is the good part that (when thy relations, and possessions, and all the good thing of this life shall be taken from thee) shall never be taken from thee.

When I look upon my Wife and Children, in whom I have through mercy much comfort and contentment; yet their value, as natural relations, is small; for so they shall not be mine for ever; and therefore they that have wives, are commanded to be as though they had none. But when I look upon grace, upon godliness, upon religion, upon the Image of God; O of what in••nite worth, and price, and value are they, because they are lasting, they are everlasting, they are mine for ever! When honours, and crowns, and robes, and scepters are but for a few days; when stately pallaces, and costly mannors, and treasures, gold and pearl are but for a short time; when the most lovely, and loving wives, and husbands, and sons, and daughters, and friends are ⟨image 16⟩frail and fading, The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever. Godliness is the good part that (when thy relations, and possessions, and all the good thing of this life shall be taken from thee) shall never be taken from thee.