The works of George Swinnock, M.A

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, Gen. 50. 16. That Ru••ian that would live with his fellow Rioters, beholding the holy behaviour of Ambrose on his Death-bed, would choose to dye with Ambrose. The enemies of Christ, beholding at the death of Christ how the Rocks were rent, darkness covered the face of the earth, how the veil of the Temple was torn in sunder, the graves were opened, the dead raised, were forced to cry out, Doubtless this man was the Son of God: So when the adversaries of Gods people, see them on their Death-beds, and behold their patience in bearing their sickness, their Faith in relying on their Saviour, their charity in forgiving their enemies, their zeal for the honour and interest of their Master, their constancy in defending the Gospel they did before profess, they are compelled in their consciences to acknowledge, Doubtless these are the Servants, the Sons and Daughters of God. ⟨p. 626⟩Much more will a holy behaviour on a Dying-bed benefit such as fear God. It convinceth sinners, that they, whether they will or no, must have other thoughts of holiness and holy men then formerly, and it confirmeth Saints in their gracious practices, and makes them more diligent in their preparation.