The works of George Swinnock, M.A

I Wish that my heart may be so affected with pity towards sick and afflicted persons,⁴ that I may often and earnestly remember them in my prayers. A little Captive, considering the Leprosy of her Master, was instrumental for his cure, by crying out, Would God my Lord were with the Prophet that is in Samaria, for he would recover him of his Leprosy. I have more reason when I behold a Leprous soul, near its last gasp, to look up to Heaven with, Would to God that poor creature were with Jesus Christ, that great prophet of his Church, who is able and willing to enliven, and pardon, and sanctify, and save; Would to God he would be persuaded to come to Christ, to cling to Christ, to close with Christ, for he would recover him; And what do I know but my prayers may be prevalent on his behalf; Christ when dying, prayed for his enemies, for them that imbrued their hands in his blood; and shall not I pray for my friends when they are dying, and possibly ignorant whether they are going? My Prayers are a cheap courtesy, and diminish nothing of my estate, either spiritual or temporal. Their misery is an awakening motive to the duty. Never did they stand in such need of help from others, and wrestling with God on their behalves, as now that they are taking their journey into a far Country, and entering upon an unchangeable condition. They may say to me, as Nehemiah to Geshem; I am doing a great work, &c. I am going to die, to bid adieu to all the folly and vanity, and comforts of this world, to take possession of my long home, of the place wherein I must abide for ⟨p. 604⟩ever; O pray for us, that we may be pardoned, and saved, that we may repent and believe, that we may die in the faith, and obtain the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto life eternal. They have many distractions upon their own spirits, by reason of pains and bodily distempers, and the loss and lamentation of their Kindred and Relations, that they cannot pour out their hearts to God with that freeness and seriousness, and earnestness, which (probably) they desire. Their enemies, and assaults, and temptations, at such a time are more quick, and strong, and violent, and full of rage, having but a short time. I must now pray for them, or never pray for them; Now beg mercy for them, or never beg mercy for them. When their life is gone, all tears, and cries, and groans for them are in vain.

I Wish that my heart may be so affected with pity towards sick and afflicted persons,