A62040:965
The works of George Swinnock, M.A
The works of George Swinnock, M.A. containing these several treatises ...
London: printed by J.B. for Tho. Parkhurst, 1665
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Chapter 8: How a Christian may exercise himself to Godliness, on a Dying Bed.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Especially the thoughts of the happy issue of the most painful sickness and death to a Child of God, may as the wood thrown into the bitter waters of Marah, make them sweet unto him. Some choose to be cut, rather then to be daily tortured with the stone, though they know that cutting will put them to much pain, because they hope that cutting will cure them of their distemper. When a Gaoler knocks off a Prisoners Fetters and Bolts, though it puts him to much more pain then the constant wearing them, though every blow goeth to his heart, yet he flincheth not, he complaineth not, because he knoweth his future ease will make amends for his present pain. Christians are here fettered with sin and misery, which constantly grate upon their spirits. Death is the Gaoler to knock of their shackles, and let them into the glorious liberty of the Sons of God, what though it put them to much pain, they may bear it with much patience, knowing that it will end in eternal pleasures.
Especially the thoughts of the happy issue of the most painful sickness and death to a Child of God, may as the wood thrown into the bitter waters of Marah, make them sweet unto him. Some chuse to be cut, rather then to be daily tortured with the stone, though they know that cutting will put them to much pain, because they hope that cutting will cure them of their distemper. When a Gaoler knocks off a Prisoners Fetters and Bolts, though it puts him to much more pain then the constant wearing them, though every blow goeth to his heart, yet he flincheth not, he complaineth not, because he knoweth his future ease will make amends for his present pain. Christians are here fettered with sin and misery, which constantly grate upon their spirits. Death is the Gaoler to knock of their shackles, and let them into the glorious liberty of the Sons of God, what though it put them to much pain, they may bear it with much patience, knowing that it will end in eternal pleasures.
Though an Hypocrite like a piece of Brass, when stricken with the Hammer of Sickness or Death, maketh a sharp and irksome noise, with impatience, and breaketh in pieces, is undone for ever; yet the sincere soul, as a piece of Gold, when so smitten, may sound sweetly, and be pliable; True Gold may be stretched out in length and breadth, in thin and fine leaves, as you please.