The works of George Swinnock, M.A

If the seed should still lye buried in the earth, it is but lost and thrown away, tis the springing of it up that causeth the Harvest; Meditation is the womb of my actions; action is the Midwife of my meditations; An evil and imperfect conception, if it hath the favour of a birth, yet the mind is but delivered of a monster, and of that which had better been stifled in the womb, then ever seen the light. A good and perfect conception, if it want strength for its birth, perisheth and comes to nothing; like Ephraim, It playeth the part of an unwise Son, and stayeth in the place of the breaking forth of Children; Its pity that such conceptions should prove abortive, or such beautiful children be still-born. Lord, thou hast appointed me to meditate seriously on thy statutes, and those excellent subjects contained in them. I confess my heart is unwilling to this needful and gainful work, and apt to be unfaithful in the management of this sacred duty; If thou pleasest not to lay thy charge upon it, and to use thy power over it, it will either wholly omit it, or perform it to no purpose; Why should it not dwell now upon thee by meditation, with whom I hope to dwell for ever! What unspeakable joy might I receive in and from thy self, could I but get above this earth and flesh! O who will bring me into that strong City not made with hands! Who ⟨p. 466⟩will lead me into thy holy hill of Zion by meditation! Wilt not thou O God? Grant me thy Spirit I beseech thee, that my spirit which lives upon thee may be united in thinking of thee, and may live wholly to thee.

If the seed should still lye buried in the earth, it is but lost and thrown away, tis the springing of it up that causeth the Harvest; Meditation is the womb of my actions; action is the Midwife of my meditations; An evil and imperfect conception, if it hath the favour of a birth, yet the mind is but delivered of a monster, and of that which had better been stifled in the womb, then ever seen the light. A good and perfect conception, if it want strength for its birth, perisheth and comes to nothing; like Ephraim, It playeth the part of an unwise Son, and stayeth in the place of the breaking forth of Children; Its pity that such conceptions should prove abortive, or such beautiful children be still-born. Lord, thou hast appointed me to meditate seriously on thy statutes, and those excellent subjects contained in them. I confess my heart is unwilling to this needful and gainful work, and apt to be unfaithful in the management of this sacred duty; If thou pleasest not to lay thy charge upon it, and to use thy power over it, it will either wholly omit it, or perform it to no purpose; Why should it not dwell now upon thee by meditation, with whom I hope to dwell for ever! What unspeakable joy might I receive in and from thy self, could I but get above this earth and flesh! O who will bring me into that strong City not made with hands! Who