The works of George Swinnock, M.A

1• Death will try men. When the Bridegroom comes, it will appear who have Oil in their Vessels, and who have none• As soon as ever thou takest thy leave of temporal good things, thy spiritual riches will be known. A scorching Summer discovers what streams are fed with Ponds, and what with Springs. The Wind showeth which Clouds have Rain in them, and which have none. Death will anatomize every soul, and reveal all that is in it; Conscience will then bring in a true Verdict, in despite of all those bribes and frights which formerly kept the Bill in suspense, or caused ⟨p. 621⟩it to write on it an Ignoramus. There are marks by which Saints and Sinners may be distinguished whilst they live, as great mens servants are by the Liveries that they wear but these characters; being most inward, and known to none but themselves, and the Lord they serve, it is their dying only, that will reveal infallibly what they are, and to whom they belong. This World is as a common Inn, wherein all are lodged, and no difference is made between the good and bad, only that the worst men have the best usage; but the very moment of mens dissolution makes a plain and vast distinction. Death is the way of all the earth, according to Joshua's Periphrasis of it; but this way hath two turnings; one on the right hand to joy and bliss; another on the left hand to misery and horror; now as when the attendants of two Lords, travail together on the road, their servants cannot easily be distinguished, especially if the Servants of the one, counterfeit the livery of the other; but when they come to the Bivium, the parting way, then its clearly known who belong to the one, and who to the other, for each then followeth his own Master, waits on him to his house, stayeth and abideth there with him; So though whilst men live, all professing themselves Christians, and most for a show at least, putting on the livery of Christ, it is not known who belong to the Prince of Life, and who to the Prince of the powers of the Air, but death will discover it to themselves, and the Elect Angels. ⟨p. 622⟩2. It will appear that Death is a serious thing, in that it stateth the creature for Eternity • When thou diest, thy condition will be like the Law of the Medes and Persians, such as cannot be altered. At death thou goest the way that thou shalt never return.