The works of George Swinnock, M.A

I Wish that the Command of my God, ¹may be a sufficient Motive and warrant to make me set about the practice of this work. It is my duty to visit them that are sick, as I am the Lords Servant; I disown his authority, I deny his Image, if I do not sympathize with others ⟨p. 590⟩in misery. Nature it self commandeth me to be affected with the conditions of such as are afflicted. All creatures will commiserate those of their rank and order, that are in misery; Bees will rather stay and starve with those of their kind, that are unable to fly to their Hives, by reason of the weakness of their wings, then stir from them, or forsake them. The Swine are so sensible of their fellows sufferings, that if one of the Company be lugd, all the rest will after their manner condole it. If a Beast be slain, and its blood spilt, others of that sort will •hew their love and pity, by scraping earth on the blood, burying their fellow, and solemnizing his funeral with a kind of lamentation. Grace doth much more enjoin me to be sick in others sickness, poor in others poverty, and to remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them, and them that suffer adversity, as being my self also in the body; David, speaking of his enemies that sought his destruction, saith, But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sack-cloth, I humbled my soul with fasting, and my prayer returned into mine own bosom; I behaved my self as though he had been my friend, or brother, I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his Mother, Psa. 35. 11, to 15. My God hath said, To him that is afflicted, pity should be shown; Sickness is one of the greatest outward afflictions, it renders all the comforts of this life uncomfortable; The largest Houses, Revenues, Honours, the most loving Acquaintants, Friends, Relations; are all unsavoury to them that are under great sickness. To visit the prosperous and healthy is courtesy, but to visit the distressed and sick is charity. The sweetest ⟨p. 591⟩showers should fall on the lower grounds. Lord, thou art the Father of mercies, and art afflicted in all the afflictions of thy Children; thy soul is grieved for the miseries of Israel; How suitable is it for them who expect mercy another day, to show mercy at this day!