The works of George Swinnock, M.A

Fear may do somewhat to curb a vitiated nature, but it cannot cure it; The Bear dares hardly touch his desired honey, for fear of the stinging of the Bees; The Dog forbears the meat on the Table, not because he doth not love it, but because he is afraid of the Cudgel; Many leave some sin, in their outward actions, as Jacob parted with Benjamin, for fear they should starve if they kept it, who are as fond of it, as the Patriarch of his Child. This inward love of sin, is indeed its life, and that which is most dangerous ⟨p. 702⟩and deadly to the soul. As an imposthume is most perilous for being inward; and private Rocks under water, split more vessels then those that appear above water; so sin reigning only in the heart, is oftentimes more hurtful then when it rageth in the life; Such civil persons go to Hell without much disturbance, being asleep in sin, yet not snoring, to the disquieting of others; they are so far from being jogged or awaked, that they are many times praised and commended.

Fear may do somewhat to curb a vitiated nature, but it cannot cure it; The Bear dares hardly touch his desired honey, for fear of the stinging of the Bees; The Dog forbears the meat on the Table, not because he doth not love it, but because he is afraid of the Cudgel; Many leave some sin, in their outward actions, as Iacob parted with Benjamin, for fear they should starve if they kept it, who are as fond of it, as the Patriarch of his Child. This inward love of sin, is indeed its life, and that which is most dangerous ⟨p. 702⟩and deadly to the soul. As an imposthume is most perillous for being inward; and private Rocks under water, split more vessels then those that appear above water; so sin raigning onely in the heart, is oftentimes more hurtful then when it rageth in the life; Such civil persons go to Hell without much disturbance, being asleep in sin, yet not snoring, to the di•quieting of others; they are so far from being jogged or awaked, that they are many times praised and commended.