The works of George Swinnock, M.A

1. Of doing good; I think it the more necessary to speak to this Motive, because many are apt to judge all pains with sick persons to be to no purpose. They are discouraged from endeavouring the conversion of profane men upon sick beds, supposing that such mens repentance will be as unsound as their bodies, even when they are sick unto death. Though I would not give the least encouragement to any men to defer their turning to God, believing him worse then mad, who puts off the weighty business of his soul, because peradventure God may grant him repentance hereafter; yet I must obviate this suggestion of the Devil, which hinders men from doing their duty; God may show mercy to a soul at last; There is one example in Scripture, that none might despair. Sickness is with some men the tide-time of devotion. They who scorned godly men, and made a mock of godliness ⟨p. 560⟩in their health, will prize the Saint, and desire his sanctity above all the world, when they lye upon sick beds, and consider what an holy God they are going to appear before. Sickness, as one saith, is, Officina virtutis, morum disciplina, The shop of virtue, and the school of manners; Therefore King Alfred was wont to say, I ever find my self best, when worst; best in soul, when worst in body; the sickness of my body, is physic to my soul; Experience daily informeth us that the Swaggerers and Gallants of the world (whose consciences are not seared with an hot Iron) though they gave themselves up to Drunkenness, and Gluttony, and Gaming, and Whoredom, and all manner of wickedness in their youth and strength, yet when they are weakened much with a disease, and have no hopes of continuing longer on earth, begin to wish that they had spent their time to more purpose, and are sensible of their neglect of God, and Christ, and their Souls, and Eternity; then many of them will desire the company of those that fear God, and beg their prayers, and hearken to their counsels, and would give all they are worth for a little of their grace and holiness. Even Benhadad the King of Syria, an enemy to the Prophets and People of God in his health, will send a Prince to Elisha with a large present, and most submissive expressions (thy Son Benhadad) in his sickness, 2 King. 7.9. Sickness gives men a double advantage for holiness.

1. Of doing good; I think it the more necessary to speak to this Motive, because many are apt to judge all pains with sick persons to be to no purpose. They are discouraged from endeavouring the conversion of prophane men upon sick beds, supposing that such mens repentance will be as unsound as their bodies, even when they are sick unto death. Though I would not give the least encouragement to any men to defer their turning to God, beleiving him worse then mad, who puts off the weighty business of his soul, because peradventure God may grant him repentance hereafter; yet I must obviate this suggestion of the Divel, which hinders men from doing their duty; God may shew mercy to a soul at last; There is one example in Scripture, that none might despair. Sickness is with some men the tide-time of devotion. They who scorned godly men, and made a mock of godliness