The works of George Swinnock, M.A

Now Reader, What need hast thou to be serious and holy on a dying Bed, to the utmost of thine ability, and to fetch in all the strength thou canst from Heaven, when thou hast such cruel powerful enemies to encounter with? Its was one of the most quickening prevalent arguments, that Alexander used to the Macedonians, before their third and last fatal Battle with Darius, That they were to fight with all the strength of Persia at once. What an awakening argument should it be to thee, that thou art to fight with all the Powers of Hell at once?

Now Reader, What need hast thou to be serious and holy on a dying Bed, to the utmost of thine ability, and to fetch in all the strength thou canst from Heaven, when thou hast such cruel powerful enemies to encounter with? Its was one of the most quickening prevalent arguments, that Alexander used to the Macedonians, before their third and last fatal Battel with Darius, That t•ey were to fight with all the strength of Persia at once. What an awakening argument should it be to thee, that thou art to fight with all the Powers of Hell at once?

Secondly, Consider, Its a special season wherein thou mayst glorify God. A Saint by his death may bring God more honour then by all his life. The Actions and Speeches of dying men, make a deep impression on the hearts of those that are about them. The wicked themselves, who have mocked at the purity and strictness of the Saints lives, have admired their patience and cheerfulness in their ⟨p. 625⟩deaths. Though they look on the believers words in health, as savouring of self and sinister ends, and humour, and so neglect them; yet when they hear a dying Saint commend the love and faithfulness of God, the pleasantness, and excellency of his ways and worship, and to bless the time, and pains, and strength, that ever they spent in his service, they esteem his language and begin to have other thoughts of Holiness and Heaven; for they consider, that surely now the man is entering upon the borders of eternity, he is serious and in earnest. Hence the Patriarchs, knowing the prevalency of such words, urge Joseph with Jacobs dying charge; Thy Father, when dying, said, Forgive I pray thee, the iniquity of thy servants,