The works of George Swinnock, M.A

If the sick person be judged carnal and unregenerate (for the Tree is known by its Fruits; Besides, its no breach of charity, to fear the worst ⟨p. 571⟩of them, whose lives do not speak a positive holiness, especially whilst we are endeavouring their good) then in general I would advise thee to speak.

1. To the depravation of mans nature, and the transgressions of life, with the sad aggravations thereof. How holy man was by creation, how universally and desperately vicious he is by his fall from God, and what horrid unthankfulness he is guilty of in continuing in sin, notwithstanding the grace that is offered to him in the Gospel. Its fit to speak to the purity and equity of the Law of God, and to the difference and contrariety of his heart and life to it; to the sinfulness of sin, in its offensiveness and opposition, to the nature and word of an infinitely Holy, Glorious, and Gracious Majesty, in its destructiveness to the present peace and future perfection of his own precious and immortal soul, and in that the stain of it is so deep, and the venom of it so great, that nothing beneath the blood of God could wash out its spots, or be a sufficient Antidote for its poison. Tell him of the folly of sinners in refusing Heaven for Earth, Angelical Delights for brutish Pleasures, the blessed God for a base lust; and of his own madness likewise in running on so eagerly upon his own ruin against the counsels of men, the commands, threatenings, and entreaties of God, the convictions of his conscience, the calls and invitations of a loving Redeemer, and the motions of the holy Spirit.

1. To the depravation of mans nature, and the transgressions of life, with the sad aggravations thereof. How holy man was by creation, how universally and desperately vicious he is by his fall from God, and what horrid unthankfulness he is guilty of in continuing in sin, notwithstanding the grace that is offered to him in the Gospel. Its fit to speak to the purity and equity of the Law of God, and to the difference and contrariety of his heart and life to it; to the sinfulness of sin, in its offensiveness and opposition, to the nature and word of an infinitely Holy, Glorious, and Gracious Majesty, in its destructiveness to the present peace and future perfection of his own precious and immortal soul, and in that the stain of it is so deep, and the venome of it so great, that nothing beneath the blood of God could wash out its spots, or be a sufficient Antidote for its poison. Tell him of the folly of sinners in refusing Heaven for Earth, Angelical Delights for brutish Pleasures, the blessed God for a base lust; and of his own madness likewise in running on so eagerly upon his own ruine against the counsels of men, the commands, threatnings, and intreaties of God, the convictions of his conscience, the calls and invitations of a loving Redeemer, and the motions of the holy Spirit.