The works of George Swinnock, M.A

1. In laying to heart thine own frailty. He is but a cold clod of clay, and dead already, who doth not see his own death in the death of others. Sickness is but one remove from death; the sick bed is the way to the coffin; therefore when thou visitest the sick or dying, reflect upon thy self and consider; This will be my case, or a worse, a violent stroke; The same enemy that encountered my Neighbour, is upon his march towards me, and will certainly overtake me; The feet of them that carry my friend to his grave, are ready to carry me also; what need have I to be always in a dying frame, and ready for death. The very next arrow that death shoots, may be levelled at me; and shall not I stand always upon my guard in expectation of it, and armed for it? O how deep will the head of that Arrow pierce me, if it find me naked!

1. In laying to heart thine own frailty. He is but a cold clod of clay, and dead already, who doth not see his own death in the death of others. Sickness is but one remove from death; the sick bed is the way to the coffin; therefore when thou visitest the sick or dying, reflect upon thy self and consider; This will be my case, or a worse, a violent stroak; The same enemy that encountred my Neighbour, is upon his march towards me, and will certainly overtake me; The feet of them that carry my friend to his grave, are ready to carry me also; what need have I to be always in a dying frame, and ready for death. The very next arrow that death shoots, may be levelled at me; and shall not I stand always upon my guard in expectation of it, and armed for it? O how deep will the head of that Arrow pierce me, if it find me naked!

2. In considering Gods mercy to thee, and blessing him for the health thou enjoyest. The pain of others, will tell thee that ease is a mercy; the racking sickness, ⟨p. 586⟩and restless nights of others, do speak aloud in thine ears,¹ that health and rest are mercies. O how shouldst thou adore that God who distinguisheth thee thus graciously from others! Mayst thou not think with thy self, Here is a person full of pain, the day is full of darkness to him, and wearisome nights are appointed to him; Lo his Wife and Children, and Friends are weeping about him, but cannot relieve or redress him; all the comforts of this life are unsavoury to him; His aches and grief, and diseases, hinder him much in spiritual performances, and in the prosecution of a better life; how much a I bound to the Lord, that it is not so with me? I can relish outward mercies, and am refreshed with bodily comforts; I have no such distemper or pain to take me off from prayer or Scripture, but I may be as frequent and as urgent as I will about my soul and eternal concernments; Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all within me praise his holy name. Surely health is the Prince, the first-born of outward blessings. Though foolish men deprive themselves frequently of it, for the satisfaction of a sensual wanton appetite, yet its more worth then a thousand of those brutish transitory delights. A Stomach is of more value then meat, and a good digestion then raiment; Men think not much to part with much of their wealth in their sickness for a little health. O it deserves thy prayers to God for it with submission to his will when thou wantest it, and thy praising of God for it with enlarged affections when thou hast it.