The works of George Swinnock, M.A

The time past is gone, and never, never, to be called back. All my prayers and tears, all the revenues of the world, cannot regain the last moment; The time to come is Gods, not mine own. It is not in my hands, therefore I have no reason to reckon upon it; I am both foolish and dishonest, if I dispose of another's goods. Reversions are uncertain, and he may well be poor that hath no estate but what he hath in hope, or rather presumption. Lord, thou reckonest my life, not by ages, no, not by years, but by days; thou hast told me that my days are few, my time is little, though my work be great; I acknowledge my proneness to put far from me my dying day, whereby I gratify my grand enemy, in drawing nigh to the seat of iniquity. O help thy servant to live every day, as if it were his last day; Grant that I may live well and much, though my life be little and short, because there is no day of my life in which I can promise my self security from the arrest of Death; let me expect it every day, and every hour of every day, that when ever my Lord shall come, I may be found well-doing.

The time past is gone, and never, never, to be called back. All my prayers and tears, all the revenues of the world, cannot regain the last moment; The time to come is Gods, not mine own. It is not in my hands, therefore I have no reason to reckon upon it; I am both foolish and dishonest, if I dispose of anothers goods. Reversions are uncertain, and he may well be poor that hath no estate but what he hath in hope, or rather presumption. Lord, thou reckonest my life, not by ages, no, not by years, but by days; thou hast told me that my days are few, my time is little, though my work be great; I acknowledge my proneness to put far from me my dying day, whereby I gratifie my grand enemy, in drawing nigh to the seat of iniquity. O help thy servant to live every day, as if it were his last day; Grant that I may live well and much, though my life be little and short, because there is no day of my life in which I can promise my self security from the arrest of Death; let me expect it every day, and every hour of every day, that when ever my Lord shall come, I may be found well-doing.

I Wish that since the eye of my God is ever on me,