The works of George Swinnock, M.A

5. Speak to the shortness of his time, to do this weighty and necessary work in; that now there is no dallying, no delaying; for within a few hours it may be too late; that grace must be got now or never; that Christ and pardon, and life must be obtained now or never; that no sin shall be forgiven, no person shall be justified, no soul renewed or cleansed in the other world, that is not pardoned and sanctified in this; that Heaven and Hell are before him, and within a short time the matter will be determined which of the two he shall be in for ever; that he must now get a title to bliss, or miss it for ever; now prevent the unquenchable fire, or burn in it for ever; that he is now upon the shore, just stepping into the Ocean, either of Honey or Wormwood, Joy or Horror, and therefore it concerns him nearly to consider what he doth, and to be diligent to the utmost, if he would escape the endless company and torments of Devils and damned Spirits. Take heed of giving him hopes of recovery, which many do to please the sick or their friends; for hereby thou mayst exceedingly injure his soul, frustrating all the means used for his spiritual health. Think not much to be often with the sick person, in case thou hast opportunity. Let his misery move thee, and the love of Christ draw thee. When we fell an Oak, ⟨p. 576⟩thirty or forty of the first strokes seem to be lost, because the Tree stirs not, yet if we continue, it comes at last down, and showeth the effects of the first, as well as the last strokes; If he be converted thou wilt be satisfied; however thy reward is with God. If this unconverted person be scandalous, then it may be sometimes convenient to hint at the horrid nature of such sins, being committed against common light, and abhorred by many of the very Heathen, and marked particularly for vengeance by the jealous God, 1 Cor. 6. 9, 10. Gal. 5. 19, 20, 21. Ephes. 5. 5, 6. Thou mayst have the more hopes of success in visiting such a one, because conscience in this sinner, will probably prove thy friend, and join with thee in terrifying him for those sins, from which it could not (though it frequently attempted) dissuade him.