The works of George Swinnock, M.A

Thirdly, Consider, Its the last opportunity that thou shalt ever have to do any work for thy God and Saviour, and thy own soul; When thou diest thou goest to the place where thou shalt receive thy reward, and shalt never never more have any season to sow to the Spirit in, to serve thy Redeemer in, and to manifest thy thankfulness to him for his love to thee; I must work the work of him that sent me, whilst it is day, saith Christ, for the night cometh wherein no man can work, Joh. 9. 4. Thou mayst when dying, say to thy friends, as the Crier of the Ludi seculares, which happened but once in a hundred years, did at Rome; Come see that which ye never saw before, nor shall ever see again. He that hath but one Arrow to shoot, but one throw to cast, but one opportunity left him to work out his salvation in, may well improve it to the utmost. A certain Martyr going to suffer, expressed his sorrow that he was going thither, Where he should do his God no more service. Our God is so good, that his work is desirable, and were it possible for any grief in Heaven, saith Dr. Sibs, it would arise from a Christians consideration, that he did no more for his God, and that it cost him so little pains and labour to be saved. When Sampson was nigh his death, and should have no more opportunities to exalt his God, and advantage his Church, he lifted up his heart to ⟨p. 628⟩Heaven; Assist me this once, that I may be avenged on the Philistines for my two eyes. So Reader, when thou enterest thy Chamber, and art betaking thy self to thy dying bed, what weighty reasons hast thou to pour out thy soul, and wrestle with God for Divine strength! Lord, I am now come, in my own apprehension, to the close of my days, after which, I shall never more enjoy a season to glorify thy Majesty, or further my own account; I am going to do a great work, which I never did before, nor shall ever do again; I acknowledge that I have been guilty of too much slothfulness, and unfaithfulness in my life, and have given these Philistines that are enemies to my soul, too much advantage against me, and occasion to mock and deride me.

Thirdly, Consider, Its the last opportunity that thou shalt ever have to do any work for thy God and Saviour, and thy own soul; When thou diest thou goest to the place where thou shalt receive thy reward, and shalt never never more have any season to sow to the Spirit in, to serve thy Redeemer in, and to manifest thy thankfulness to him for his love to thee; I must work the work of him that sent me, whilst it is day, saith Christ, for the night cometh wherein no man can work,