The works of George Swinnock, M.A

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.

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 peices, 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 stretcht out in length and breadth, in thin and fine leaves, as you please.

Now Reader, that thou mayst thus glorify thy God, credit thy profession, further thine account, ⟨p. 653⟩and advantage others by thy death, it is requisite that thou be always ready for it. The Quarter-day never comes amiss to him that hath always his Rent ready by him. The loving Husband, let him come when he will, is ever welcome to a faithful Spouse; The actual unpreparedness of some holy persons, hath caused their Petitions for a longer stay, when God seemed to call them hence, Psa. 39. 13. As a Nobleman who is a Loyal Subject, and affectionately desires his Princes presence and company at his house, may wish that it may be deferred when his house is out of repairs, till it is in a better order. The habitual unpreparedness of sinners, I mean their predominant impenitency and unbelief, hath made death cutting to them indeed. The Pismire fears not the Winter, having laid in her provision against that season; but the Grasshopper being unprepared, is starved therein.

Now Reader, that thou mayst thus glorifie thy God, credit thy profession, further thine account, ⟨p. 653⟩