The works of George Swinnock, M.A

Example, Custom, and Education, may also help a man to make a fair show in the flesh, but not to walk after the spirit; They may Prune and Lop sin, but never stub it up by the roots. All that these can do, is to make a man like a grave, green and flourishing on the surface and superficies, when within there is nothing but noisomness and corruption. It hath often appeared that those means which the great Moralists have used to bridle their lusts and passions, have rather, like strong scents to Epileptic bodies, raised them, then recovered them. Indeed if the chief fault were not in the vital parts, then outward applications might be effectual; but when the heart and lungs, and inwards are all corrupted, Plasters applied to the face, or hands, or thighs, or sides, will do little good. When the fault is in the foundation of an house, it cannot be mended by Plastering or rough-cast. A Leopard may be flayed, but he is spotted still, because the spots are not only in the skin, but in the flesh, and bones, and sinews, and most inward parts. When the disease is accidental, as to lose the sight by the ⟨p. 703⟩Small-Pox, or the like, there the Physic of morality may be advantageous; but where the disease is natural, as in the man that was born blind, there Physic will do no good; a miracle alone must restore such a one to his sight.

Example, Custom, and Education, may also help a man to make a fair shew in the flesh, but not to walk after the spirit; They may Prune and Lop sin, but never stubb it up by the roots. All that these can do, is to make a man like a grave, green and flourishing on the surface and superficies, when within there is nothing but noisomness and corruption. It hath often appeared that those means which the great Moralists have used to bridle their lusts and passions, have rather, like strong sents to Epileptick bodies, raised them, then recovered them. Indeed if the cheif fault were not in the vital parts, then outward applications might be effectual; but when the heart and lungs, and inwards are all corrupted, Plaisters applied to the face, or hands, or thighs, or sides, will do little good. When the fault is in the foundation of an house, it cannot be mended by Plaistering or rough-cast. A Leopard may be flea'd, but he is spotted still, because the spots are not onely in the skin, but in the flesh, and bones, and sinews, and most inward parts. When the disease is accidental, as to lose the sight by the ⟨p. 703⟩