The works of George Swinnock, M.A

2. In sickness conscience is usually allowed more liberty to speak its mind, and men are then more at leisure to hear it. In health their callings, or friends, or lusts, or sports, or some carnal comfort or other, take up their hearts and time, that conscience must be silenced (as too bold a Preacher) for offering to disturb them in their pleasures, or if it will use its authority, and continue to speak in Gods name, and forbid their foolishness, and Atheism, and sensuality and profaneness, they are deaf to its calls and commands, and drown its voice with the noise of their brutish delights; But in sickness they are taken off from their trades, and ⟨image 305⟩pastimes, and merry meetings, and jovial companions, when their bodies are weak, their fleshly lusts are not so strong as formerly, whereby conscience hath a greater opportunity to tell them of their miscarriages and wickedness, and they themselves are more attentive to its words and warning.

2. In sickness conscience is usually allowed more liberty to speak its mind, and men are then more at leasure to hear it. In health their callings, or friends, or lusts, or sports, or some carnal comfort or other, take up their hearts and time, that conscience must be silenced (as too bold a Preacher) for offering to disturb them in their pleasures, or if it will use its authority, and continue to speak in Gods name, and forbid their foolishness, and Atheism, and sensuality and prophaness, they are deaf to its calls and commands, and drown its voice with the noise of their brutish delights; But in sickness they are taken off from their trades, and ⟨image 305⟩pastimes, and merry meetings, and jovial companions, when their bodies are weak, their fleshly lusts are not so strong as formerly, whereby conscience hath a greater opportunity to tell them of their miscarriages and wickedness, and they themselves are more attentive to its words and warning.

Reader, Its a special piece of wisdom to improve such a season for the good of thy Neighbours soul. When the Wax is softened, then we clap the Seal upon it, lest it harden again, and be incapable of any impression. When the hand of God hath by sickness made the heart of thy wicked friend or brother soft and tender, then do thy utmost to stamp the Image of God upon it; Paul would preach whilst a door was opened, and there was likelihood of doing good. Its a great encouragement to work, when the subject upon which we bestow our pains, seems capable of what we prosecute, and probable to answer our labour. We have some heart to strike a nail into a bard, because there is hope it will enter, but no list to drive a nail into a flint, because we despair of effecting it. The Smith strikes when the Iron is hot, he knoweth if he should stay till it is cold, his labour would be in vain; Friend, take the advantage of others bodily sickness, to further their spiritual health, lest they either die in their sins, or harden upon their recovery. Opportunity is like a joint in some part of a fowl, which if we hit upon, we may easily carve and divide the fowl, but if the Knife fall on this side, or that side of the joint, we do but mangle the meat, and take pains to no purpose. It is the