The works of George Swinnock, M.A

1. It takes off their hearts from creatures, by teaching them experimentally what a poor weak cordial the whole creation is to sick or dying men. When men are strong and lusty, they can taste and savour ⟨p. 561⟩earthly things; carnal comforts hinder their endeavours after spiritual; They take up with creatures as Esau, and say, they have enough; but sickness makes them know the emptiness of all sublunary things. When men are sick, they cannot relish the worlds dainties and delicates; The preferments, and riches, and pleasures of the earth, are all unsavoury and uncomfortable to them. They now see the vanity of those things which heretofore they so much idolized, how unable they are to revive their fainting spirits, or to allay their pain, or purchase them the least ease, or procure them the least acceptance in the other world; and hence the price of the worlds market falls abundantly in their judgements. Bernard tells us of a Brother of his, that when he gave him many good instructions, and he being a Soldier, regarded them not, he put his finger to his side, and told his Brother; One day a Spear shall make way to this heart of thine, for admonition and instruction to enter.

1. It takes off their hearts from creatures, by teaching them experimentally what a poor weak cordial the whole creation is to sick or dying men. When men are strong and lusty, they can taste and savour ⟨p. 561⟩earthly things; carnal comforts hinder their endeavours after spiritual; They take up with creatures as Esau, and say, they have enough; but sickness makes them know the emptiness of all sublunary things. When men are sick, they cannot rellish the worlds dainties and delicates; The preferments, and riches, and pleasures of the earth, are all unsavoury and uncomfortable to them. They now see the vanity of those things which heretofore they so much idolized, how unable they are to revive their fainting spirits, or to allay their pain, or purchase them the least ease, or procure them the least acceptance in the other world; and hence the price of the worlds market falls abundantly in their judgements. Bernard tells us of a Brother of his, that when he gave him many good instructions, and he being a Souldier, regarded them not, he put his finger to his side, and told his Brother; One day a Spear shall make way to this heart of thine, for admonition and instruction to enter.