The works of George Swinnock, M.A

1. Faith enableth the soul to overcome the affrightments of the world. Faith like blown bladders, keepeth the soul from sinking in deep waters; Its a Target under which a soul is free from the hurt, though not from the smart of evil; Its the Ark wherein he rides triumphing, when the windows from above are opened and pour down, and the floods from beneath are broken up. In this strong Tower, the soul finds shelter; Faith, like Joseph, layeth up in a time of plenty, against a time of scarcity; in a day of prosperity against a day of adversity, and so feareth it the less.

1. Faith enableth the soul to overcome the affrightments of the world. Faith like blown bladders, keepeth the soul from sinking in deep waters; Its a Target under which a soul is free from the hurt, though not from the smart of evil; Its the Ark wherein he rides triumphing, when the windows from above are opened and poure down, and the floods from beneath are broken up. In this strong Tower, the soul finds shelter; Faith, like Ioseph, layeth up in a time of plenty, against a time of scarcity; in a day of prosperity• against a day of adversity, and so feareth it the less.

Faith showeth the Christian a place of refuge in ⟨p. 714⟩the time of trouble. He shall hide thee, saith Faith, in the secret of his presence (i. e. cover thee with the warm wings of his providence) he shall keep thee secret in his Pavilion; (An allusion to Princes retiring rooms, which are sacred and secure places for their Favourites.) Nature teacheth all creatures to run in distress to that which they count their defence; The Conies run to the Rocks, the Goats to the Hills, the Ravenous Beasts to their De•s, the Child to his Mothers Arms. This grace discovereth to the soul, a Rock, a Refuge, a Fort, a Fortress, an High Tower, which makes him fearless of the worlds threatenings and bugbears. The lame and the blind, those most shiftless creatures, when they had got the strong hold of Zion over their heads, scorned the Host of David,