The works of George Swinnock, M.A

Once more, I may be instructed in the necessity of a timely preparation for such an hour of affliction; Can I think a •ick bed a fit place, an hour of pain and grief a meet season to begin that great business ⟨p. 608⟩of turning from sin, of loathing my self for all my abominations, and working out my own salvation? Is it rationally to be imagined that trembling joints, dazzled eyes, a fainting heart, failing limbs, a body full of aches and diseases, a soul sympathizing with it, and full of vexation and grief, should be fit instruments about such a work, which an angelical strength, and agility, and freedom, is little enough for? Ah, What wise man would build his eternal making and welfare, upon such a tottering and sandy foundation? The greatest strength, and longest time, and most vigorous health, is not in the least degree, too much for this needful and weighty business; and shall I put it off till my strength fails, my health is gone, and my time near its last sand? Lord, Beside all these, I may learn the excellency of thine Image, and thy favour; Sickness cannot waste them, nor death it self destroy them. Where the Curtains are drawn, and the windows close, in the darkest chamber of the dying man, the comeliness of thy likeness, and the sweetness of thy love, are most sparkling and glorious. The want of outward comforts, doth convince the unbelieving world of the worth of eternal blessings. When the flesh and world that made show of such love to their deluded favourites, turn them off in their extremity, as the Jews did Judas (complaining to them of his-folly and wickedness) What is that to us, see thou to that; Thou standest by and ownest thy servants, thou knowest their souls in their days of adversity; and how-ever thou dealest with them in their health, wilt be sure to tend and look to, to be both Nurse and Physician to thy sick children. ⟨p. 609⟩Thy grace is a reviving Cordial, and thy love will make even death it self a sweet and desirable dish. O help thy poor servant to gain much spiritual good by those natural evils which others suffer.

Once more, I may be instructed in the necessity of a timely preparation for such an hour of affliction; Can I think a •ick bed a fit place, an hour of pain and grief a meet season to begin that great business