The works of George Swinnock, M.A

Some men have estates dropping on them, out of the clouds, as it were, large inheritances, fair ⟨p. 647⟩patrimonies, like Canaan, both in regard of their fruitfulness, and abounding with all sorts of comforts, and in regard of their easiness of obtaining them without sweat or labour; they inherit, a• the Israelites, Houses which they built not, Wells which they digged not, and Vineyards which they planted not, upon both these accounts, such persons are engaged to do good, and distribute, and to be rich in good works. God expects a return of his Talents with advantage; How liberal, nay, lavish, have many Papists been upon their death-beds, to Friars and Monks, even to the wronging their Wives and Children, that some States, as Venice, have been forced to make Laws to restrain men, lest the Church should in time swallow up all the revenues of the Common-wealth, and all this upon a foolish vain conceit, that they should the sooner pass through Purgatory? It is certainly a great disgrace to the Disciples of Christ, and no mean dishonour to Christ himself, that so many, and such large gifts, have proceeded from the false faith of Merit-mongers, when the faith of his most glorious Gospel doth not work the like in true believers; How will Christians answer it, that an idle Dream, and fancied Fear of an imaginary Purgatory, should do more them the sure persuasion of the love of God, and the certain hope of eternal life?

Some men have estates dropping on them, out of the clouds, as it were, large inheritances, fair ⟨p. 647⟩patrimonies, like Canaan, both in regard of their fruitfulness, and abounding with all sorts of comforts, and in regard of their easiness of obtaining them without sweat or labour; they inherit, a• the Israelites, Houses which they built not, Wells which they digged not, and Vineyards which they planted not, upon both these accounts, such persons are engaged to do good, and distribute, and to be rich in good works. God expects a return of his Talents with advantage; How liberal, nay, lavish, have many Papists been upon their death-beds, to Friars and Monks, even to the wronging their Wives and Children, that some States, as Venice, have been forced to make Laws to restrain men, lest the Church should in time swallow up all the revenues of the Common-wealth, and all this upon a foolish vain conceit, that they should the sooner pass through Purgatory? It is certainly a great disgrace to the Disciples of Christ, and no mean dishonour to Christ himself, that so many, and such large gifts, have proceeded from the false faith of Merit-mongers, when the faith of his most glorious Gospel doth not work the like in true beleivers; How will Christians answer it, that an idle Dream, and fancied Fear of an imaginary Purgaory, should do more them the sure perswasion of the love of God, and the certain hope of eternal life?