A62040:43
The works of George Swinnock, M.A
The works of George Swinnock, M.A. containing these several treatises ...
London: printed by J.B. for Tho. Parkhurst, 1665
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Reader, what an argument is here to provoke thee to spend, and be spent, to employ all thy time, and strength, and talents, to sell all for this pearl when it is of so great price; that when all other privileges, excellencies, royal or noble births, high breedings, preferments, favours with Great men, riches, pleasures, will only as brass of leathern money, be currant in some Countries in this beggarly earth, it will enrich thee and enliven thee, refresh and rejoice thee for ever!
Reader, what an argument is here to provoke thee to spend, and be spent, to imploy all thy time, and strength, and talents, to sell all for this pearl when it is of so great price; that when all other priviledges, excellencies, royal or noble births, high breedings, preferments, favours with Great men, riches, pleasures, will onely as brass of leathren money, be currant in some Countries in this beggarly earth, it will enrich thee and enliven thee, refresh and rejoyce thee for ever!
11. Is not that worthy to be made thy business, which all men, even the greatest enemies to it, will sooner or later, heartily and earnestly wish had been their business? We have an usual saying, that what one speaketh, may be false and light; and what two speak may be false and vain; and what three speak may be so; but what all speak and agree in, must have something of truth and weight in it. And again we say, Vox populi est vox dei, The voice of all the people is an oracle; Though as Christ said of himself, so I may say of Godliness, God himself beareth witness of it, and his witness is true, and it needeth not testimony from man; yet as he made use of the testimony of John to convince the Jews of their desperate wickedness and inexcusableness, in not submitting to his precepts, and accepting him as a Saviour: So may I improve the witness of the whole world on the behalf of Godliness to convince ⟨image 17⟩thee (Reader) of thy folly and sinfulness in neglecting it, and to show thee how inexcusable thou wilt be found at the day of Christ, if thou dost not presently set upon it, and make it thy business?