The works of George Swinnock, M.A

SECT. V.

3. Deal closely and faithfully with him; Let not fear of giving distaste or hope of some advantage to thy self, make thee false to the soul of the sick. Do not play the part of a Mountebank in using palliating medicines to allay the distemper, or Anodynes to stupefy the patient, and neglect the root of the malady. Alas, carnal wretches are prone enough of themselves to deceive and flatter their own souls, till it be too late for second thoughts, and the wicked one will be at their beds side, to hinder if it be possible, all means from awakening and undeceiving them; be careful therefore lest thou shouldst be any way accessary to Satan's design; Sin is like the little Serpent Aspis, which stings men, whereby they fall into a pleasant sleep, and in that sleep die; sinners need all the rousing and affrighting considerations that may be; He that gives a potion, which instead of furthering health, procureth death, is a Murderer. The Flatterer is like the worm Terendo, mentioned by Pliny (in Nat. Hist.) as soft as Silk, in the feeling of the hand, but it biteth so hard with the teeth, that it eateth out the heart of the strongest timber. Flattery is to sin, what Oil to Fire, it makes it flame the more. O tis dangerous to speak peace, where God speaks war; shouldst thou do so, the blood of such a soul would be required at thy hands, Ezek. 33.8. Jer. 23. Faithful dealing will bring thee in most comfort at present, and most credit hereafter, as also be most advantageous to the ⟨p. 582⟩sick person. When the great day comes, the man that hated flattery, and scorned for a little profit or favour to disown his duty, or prove false to the soul of his Neighbour, will hold up his head with courage, but the cowardly and fearful will hang down their heads with shame,