The works of George Swinnock, M.A

I Wish that my faith may ripen into full assurance,¹ that thereby I may depart with joy, and an abundant entrance may be ministered unto me, into the Kingdom of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Moses and Simeon could sing at their own funerals. The great Apostle could call to be put to Bed, expecting thereby his sweetest eternal rest. How many Martyrs have gone more joyfully to dye, then ever Epicure did to dine, and leaped when they drew near the Stake, believing that they drew near their home, their happiness, their heaven? What is it, O my soul, that makes thee start and flinch back at the sight of this bug-bear? What is there in death that is so dreadful to thee? Is it the sweetness of life, or the pain of death, or thy future estate after death? Consider them all seriously, and then judge rationally whether any of these should make the sigh, so loath to depart.

I Wish that my faith may ripen into full assurance,¹ that thereby I may depart with joy, and an abundant entrance may be ministred unto me, into the Kingdom of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Moses and Simeon could sing at their own funerals. The great Apostle could call to be put to Bed, expecting thereby his sweetest eternal rest. How many Martyrs have gone more joyfully to dye, then ever Epicure did to dine, and leaped when they drew near the Stake, believing that they drew near their home, their happiness, their heaven? What is it, O my soul, that makes thee start and flinch back at the sight of this bug-bear? What is there in death that is so dreadful to thee? Is it the sweetness of life, or the pain of death, or thy future estate after death? Consider them all seriously, and then judge rationally whether any of these should make the sigh, so loath to depart.

1. 1Courage.

First, The love of life need not make thee so backward to obey the call of death; If all thy time were made up of Holy-days, death would bring thee greater advantage. The Garlic and Onions of Egypt are nothing comparable to the Clusters of Canaan. But alas its far otherwise, thy whole life is a civil death. Thou art born to sorrow as the sparks fly upward. Thy days are few, but full of trouble. The earth to thee is a valley of tears; the cross is thy daily companion, which accompanieth thee where-ever thou goest. The sufferings of thy flesh are neither few nor small. How many diseases in thy body, losses in thy estate?