The works of George Swinnock, M.A

Reader, Observe how careful the Saints have been to do their last work well, and to go out of the world like some sweet spices, perfuming the room in which they fetch their last breath, with holiness, and leaving a sweet savour behind them. Jacob when dying, worshipped, leaning on his staff, Heb. 11. 21. What a Character doth he give of the Angel of the Covenant, and what blessings doth he pray for, and prophesy to come on his children, when he ⟨p. 614⟩was going from them? How was his heart enlarged in pantings after the Lord Christ? Gen. 48. 16. and 49. per tot. The living waters of his graces ran with the greater strength, when they were emptying themselves into the Ocean of glory. Moses like the dying Swan sings most sweetly, being to go up to Mount Nebo to dye there. What excellent doctrines, reproofs, instructions, doth he deliver to the Israelites? How pathetically, rhetorically, divinely doth he dictate his last legacies to his Political children? who can read and not be ravished with wonder and delight! Deut. 32. & 33. Joshua like the morning star, shines brightest at last; He gives his people so strict a charge to serve the Lord, such gracious counsel, when he was going the way of all the earth, that it could not but be remembered many days after. Dying Joseph will lay his bones at stake for Gods faithfulness, and that he will visit Israel and deliver them out of Egypt. Sampson did the Church of God much service, in slaying more of her enemies at his death, then in his life. Julius Caesar among the Romans, and Olympia the Mother of Alexander among the Grecians, were famous for their care to die handsomely, and not to commit at last any ill beseeming action, whereby their memories should have been rendered inglorious; But the Christians care hath always been, to die holily, and to do their God most service when they are going to that place where they shall do him no more in a proper sense. Philosophers tell us,¹ that the soul upon deaths approach is more divine and supernaturally inclined; certain it is, the soul of a Saint only doth then more aspire heavenward, ⟨p. 615⟩