The works of George Swinnock, M.A

³I Wish that I may, according to my poor ability, be helpful to the weak and tender members of Christ, by administering Cordials, suitable to their conditions. My duty is, not only to counsel the doubtful, but also to comfort the sorrowful; If I saw a body fainting and drooping, I were bound to afford it what assistance I could, and not to hide mine eyes from mine own flesh; Doth not my Neighbours soul, as far more precious, call for more pity, and command my help to my power! If one Sheep be sick, many others will flock about him, and in an hot day, after their manner refresh him, by keeping the scorching Sun from him. The Sheep of Christ should have more sense of others misery, and more knowledge of the means relating to their recovery, and shall they be less diligent for others health? To him that is afflicted, pity should be shown; if I deny this, I forsake the fear of the Almighty; How tender was my Redeemer of broken bones, and sorrowful Saints! When he arose from the dead, he appeared first to mournful Mary, and then takes special care that penitent Peter have speedy notice of that blessed news, Go tell my Disciples and Peter that I am risen. They that have smarted with inward wounds themselves, have the more reason to compassionate others in their sorrows; Lord, the time hath been, that thou didst cast me into the deep, into the midst of the Seas, thy Floods compassed me about, all thy Billows, and thy Waves passed over me; I roared by reason of the anguish of my Spirit, under the sense of thy wrath, and the curse of ⟨p. 339⟩thy Law. The weight of my sins lay heavy upon my conscience, and I was even sinking under them into the bottomless pit. The sorrows of death compassed me about, the pains of Hell ga• hold of me, I found trouble and sorrow; I knew not which way to turn, nor whither to go for any ease or relief; If I said, My Friends should help me, or my Possessions abate my grief, I soon found them all miserable comforters, and Physicians of no value; If I said, My bed should comfort me, and my Couch ease my complaint, then thou didst scare me with Dreams, and terrify me with Visions. All the creatures were unable to afford me any succour; When I lay thus half dead, they all as the Priest and Levite passed by on the other side; they had neither pity enough for such dreadful wounds, nor power enough to work their cure;

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