The works of George Swinnock, M.A

³I Wish that the nearer I draw to my reward, the more zealous and industrious I may be about my work, and that when my body droppeth and faileth most, my soul may be most vigorous and active in the exercise of grace. I am infinitely indebted to the blessed God, for his unspeakable grace to my precious soul, my engagements to the dearest Redeemer, for loving me and washing me in his own blood, are far beyond my apprehension. This is the last opportunity that I shall ever enjoy to testify my thankfulness, and to do my God, my Saviour, my soul, any service. O how diligent should I be to promote their interest, and improve this season! Nature in its last conflict with a disease, puts forth it self to the utmost, it draweth in those spirits which before were scattered in the outward parts, to guard and arm the heart, it rallieth all those forces which are left, if possible, to win the day; O why should not grace in its last encounter, muster up all its strength, and put forth it self to the utmost! Lust is strong to the last, when nature is weak and spent, and the sinner ⟨p. 673⟩disabled from his unclean or intemperate acts, even then he can hug them in his heart, and roll them under his tongue, as a sweet morsel, and commit them over and over again, in his thoughts, and fancy, and affections. The dying Thief on the Cross, when his hands and feet were nailed, and by force kept in order, could yet find his tongue at liberty before his death, to rail at, and revile the Lord of life. Ah is it not a thousand pities that grace should be outvied by lust, and that those that are paid with such lamentable wages as everlasting burnings, should dye serving their cruel Master and enter into Hell, belching out their blasphemies, and spitting their poison in the face of Heaven; and that the Children of God should do their father so little service, when they are going to their blissful mansions, and can do him no more? love to my self, as well as to my God, may quicken me to labour with all my might, when I draw near my last hour. As I fall now, I lie for ever. My eternal estate dependeth more upon my death then my life. Its possible, (though rare) that a profane life may be corrected by a penitent death; but a wicked death can never be amended. He that shoots off a piece, if he be not steady just at its going off, loseth his Charge, and misseth his Mark;

³