The works of George Swinnock, M.A

I Wish that the end of all my days,¹ may be the beginning of every day, that my first thoughts in the morning may be of him, by whom alone I think. The Firstling under the Law, was to be the Lords, and why not the first fruits of every day under the Gospel?¹ Surely, the worthiness of the person, deserves precedency of dispatch. It is no mean incivility to let an honourable man wait our leisure; what impiety is it then to let the great God stay till the dreggy flesh or world be served? Ah, how unworthy (as well as wicked) is it, to put that God off, who deserves all I am, and have, with the leavings of his slaves! Besides the soul usually walks up and down all day in the same habit, in which it is dressed in the morning. The day is usually spent well or ill, according to the morning employment. If Satan get possession in the ⟨p. 536⟩morning, twill be many to one but he keeps his hold all day. What youth is to age, that is the morning to the day; if youth be not tainted with vice, age is employed in virtue; He that loves chastity, will not marry her that spent her youth in whoredom. A man may give a shrewd guess in the morning, when second causes are in working, what weather will be most part of the day. If I set out early in my heavenly journey, I am the more likely to persevere in it all the day. As some sweet Oils poured into a Vessel first, will cause whatsoever is put into it afterwards to taste and savour of it; So if godliness and the immediate worship of God do first in the morning possess my soul, my natural and civil affairs will probably relish of it. Again, Mens hearts are generally upon that in the morning, which they esteem their happiness and portion. The covetous Muck-worm no sooner openeth his eyes, but his heart is tumbling in his heaps; The voluptuous beast, no sooner wakes, but he is sporting in sensual waters; The ambitious Peacock, no sooner is able to think, but his gay Feathers, and gaudy dress for that day come into his mind; and why should not my heart send its first thoughts into Heaven? Whom have I in Heaven but thee, and there is none upon Earth that I desire in comparison of thee? The Birds early in the morning, salute the rising Sun with their sweet notes, and shall not I the Sun of righteousness? Further, My wants, my mercies, call for morning duties;