The works of George Swinnock, M.A

O my soul, why shouldst thou hug that ⟨p. 683⟩which hates thee, and dote on this world, which is neither a fit match for thee, as being unsuitable to thy nature, nor (if she were, can be) faithful to thee, being made up of wavering and inconstancy! Or secondly, Is it the pain of death that thou art so frighted at? Surely the fear of it is the greatest torment; How many have felt greater pain in divers diseases, as in the Stone, or Strangury, or Colic, then in a dying hour? Some of Gods Children have felt very little pain in the judgement of those that have seen them dying; The waters of Jordan, though rough to others, have stood still when the Ark was to pass over. But though I were sure my pain should be sharp, yet I am as sure it shall be short. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, I shall be transported over the gulp of misery, into endless glory. My pangs will be almost as soon gone as come; Sorrow will endure but for a short night, joy will come in the morning; If I were assured of a great purchase made for me in Spain or Turkey, which upon my first coming over I should enjoy, would I not adventure a passage through the boisterous Ocean, to take possession? My Saviour hath made a larger, a better purchase for me in Heaven. He is gone before to prepare a place for me; My passage thither, though it may be more painful, is less perilous; Its impossible for me to miscarry in it. O why am I so slothful to go in and possess the good Land! Surely, the pleasures of the end, may well sweeten the ways to it, were they never so bitter. With what cheerfulness do some women undergo their sharp throws, and hard labours, supported with this cordial, that a child shall thereby be born to them? O how infinitely inferior ⟨p. 684⟩is the joy of a man child brought forth into this world, to the joy of a sanctified soul, brought out of this world into Heaven!

O my soul, why shouldst thou hug that ⟨p. 683⟩which hates thee, and doat on this world, which is neither a fit match for thee, as being unsutable to thy nature, nor (if she were, can be) faithful to thee, being made up of wavering and inconstancy! Or secondly, Is it the pain of death that thou art so frighted at? Surely the fear of it is the greatest torment; How many have felt greater pain in divers diseases, as in the Stone, or Strangury, or Collick, then in a dying hour? Some of Gods Children have felt very little pain in the judgement of those that have seen them dying; The waters of Jordan, though rough to others, have stood still when the Ark was to pass over. But though I were sure my pain should be sharp, yet I am as sure it shall be short. In a moment, in the twinckling of an eye, I shall be transported over the gulp of misery, into endless glory. My pangs will be almost as soon gone as come; Sorrow will endure but for a short night, joy will come in the morning; If I were assured of a great purchase made for me in Spain or Turky, which upon my first comming over I should enjoy, would I not adventure a passage through the boistrous Ocean, to take possession? My Saviour hath made a larger, a better purchase for me in Heaven. He is gone before to prepare a place for me; My passage thither, though it may be more painful, is less perillous; Its impossible for me to miscarry in it. O why am I so slothful to go in and possess the good Land! Surely, the pleasures of the end, may well sweeten the ways to it, were they never so bitter. With what chearfulness do some women undergo their sharp throws, and hard labours, supported with this cordial, that a child shall thereby be born to them? O how infinitely inferiour