The works of George Swinnock, M.A

²I Wish that my lost breath may be drawn Heaven-ward; I mean, that I may enter praying into the house of blessing and praise. I am no Christian if I do not give my self to prayer whilst I live. It is one choice piece of my spiritual Armour, whereby I have often assaulted and conquered my soul-enemies; It is the Ambassador which I have many a time sent to the heavenly Court, that always received a ⟨p. 677⟩favourable Audience, and obtained his errand. It is the Vessel which hath brought me food from far, and ever returned richly laden, if it were not my own fault. It is the element in which I live; the aliment by which I subsist; the pulse, the breath of my soul, without which it must needs dye. On my death-bed I have as much need of its succour as at any season; My adversaries will then employ their greatest power and policy to rout and ruin me, I am but weak flesh and blood, altogether unable to combat with Principalities and Powers; and how can I expect supplies from the Lord of Hosts, unless I send this Messenger to entreat it? My wants and weaknesses at such a time will be more then ordinary. Faith must then be acted in spite of all the frights and fears which a malicious Devil, and an unbelieving heart, from the number and nature of my sins, the strictness of the law, and the justice of God, may put me to; Repentance must then be exercised, and my sins lye nearer my heart then my sharpest diseases; In patience I must possess my soul under all the pains and pressures which the wise God shall lay upon me. I must then cheerfully submit to the divine pleasure, and by my willingness to leave all the world to go to Christ, show that I hate Father, Mother, Wife, Child, House, Lands, Life and all for Christ. Those graces and many other, must be put forth at such a time, none of which I can do by my own power, and therefore have abundant cause to fetch help from Heaven by prayer. Besides, the distempers of my body will discompose my soul, and unfit it in a great measure for all holy service. Again, my Benefactors, my near Friends and Relations, ⟨p. 678⟩the poor afflicted Church of God, do all call aloud to me to pray for them, as the last kindness I shall ever do for them; I profess I love them, how can I manifest it better, then by commending them to God in prayer?

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