The works of George Swinnock, M.A

Should I leave them thousands of silver and gold (if I were able) it would not all amount to the price of one fervent prayer. My riches might wrong them, through the deceitfulness of their hearts, and cause them to be contented short of Heaven; but my prayers cannot prejudice them, but may much further their eternal welfares. Men whose natures are crabbed and cruel, have granted the requests of their dying children, when they have been contrary to their own humours. How much more will God the Father of mercies, whose nature is Love, whose bowels are infinite, satisfy the desire of his dying children, when they fall in with his own design and desire? If Joab had hopes to speed in his supplication for Absalom, because he knew the Kings heart was more for it then his own, may not I be confident to speed when I beg that he would pay my debts in spirituals, with interest to those who have bestowed carnals on me for his sake; when I ask that my Children and Relations may love and fear, and worship his Majesty, and be his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works; and when I entreat that he would accomplish all the great and good things which he hath promised to his Church, the purchase of his Christ, knowing that his heart is infinitely more for these things then mine can be! Lord, when I dye, I shall no more put up prayers for my self or other particular persons; My natural obligations to my Kindred and Relations, my civil engagements to my ⟨p. 679⟩Friends and Benefactors, besides my spiritual bonds to them and thy whole Israel, may well provoke me to be fervent and instant with thy Majesty at such an hour on their behalves. My Redeemer before his death, wrought hard at this duty; He offered up prayers and supplications, with strong crying, and tears. Ah, how should I pray for my self and others, when I am taking my leave of prayer! O let thy spirit of supplication be so poured down on me, that I may pour out my spirit in supplication unto thee• for my own and others souls, through thy Son, with the greatest success.

Should I leave them thousands of silver and gold (if I were able) it would not all amount to the price of one fervent prayer. My riches might wrong them, through the deceitfulness of their hearts, and cause them to be contented short of Heaven; but my prayers cannot prejudice them, but may much further their eternal welfares. Men whose natures are crabbed and cruel, have granted the requests of their dying children, when they have been contrary to their own humours. How much more will God the Father of mercies, whose nature is Love, whose bowels are infinite, satisfie the desire of his dying children, when they fall in with his own design and desire? If Joab had hopes to speed in his supplication for Absolom, because he knew the Kings heart was more for it then his own, may not I be confident to speed when I beg that he would pay my debts in spirituals, with interest to those who have bestowed carnals on me for his sake; when I ask that my Children and Relations may love and fear, and worship his Majesty, and be his workmanship, created in Christ Iesus unto good works; and when I intreat that he would accomplish all the great and good things which he hath promised to his Church, the purchase of his Christ, knowing that his heart is infinitely more for these things then mine can be! Lord, when I dye, I shall no more put up prayers for my self or other particular persons; My natural obligations to my Kindred and Relations, my civil ingagements to my