The works of George Swinnock, M.A

Watch after duties. Running carelessly into the open air, immediately after the taking of Physic, is dangerous. When the Garden is dressed, and the seeds sown in it, we must watch it, lest Hogs get into it, and root up all. Satan thinks to take the Christian at an advantage, after the duty is over; and though he could not beat him in the fight, yet to do it when the Saint hath laid by his weapons. It was a wise speech of Marcus Aurelius, after he had vanquished Popilion, General of the potent Parthians, and won the day, I tell thee of a truth, that I stand in greater fear of fortune at this present, then I did before the battle, for she careth not so much to overtake the Conquered, as to overcome the Conqueror. Truly, Satan will be industrious to destroy both the conquered utterly, and to overcome the Conqueror.

Watch after duties. Running carelesly into the open air, immediately after the taking of Physick, is dangerous. When the Garden is drest, and the seeds sown in it, we must watch it, lest Hogs get into it, and root up all. Satan thinks to take the Christian at an advantage, after the duty is over; and though he could not beat him in the fight, yet to do it when the Saint hath laid by his weapons. It was a wise speech of Marcus Aurelius, after he had vanquished Popilion, General of the potent Parthians, and won the day, I tell thee of a truth, that I stand in greater fear of fortune at this present, then I did before the battel, for she careth not so much to overtake the Conquered, as to overcome the Conqueror. Truly, Satan will be industrious to destroy both the conquered utterly, and to overcome the Conquerour.

Watch thy senses; These are the Cinque-ports, as one calls them, of the Isle of man, which if not well garrisoned, will let in strangers and disturbers ⟨p. 743⟩of our peace. At these Havens much of Satan's lading is taken in. Jo• made a Covenant with his eyes, he would not suffer them to gad and gaze at random, lest they should return defiled. Democritus walking abroad, would shut his eyes, lest by their wandering, his mind should be taken off from the contemplation of honest things. Actaeon became, as the Poet fancieth, meat for his Dogs, by suffering his eyes to wander. Lusting hath often been the issue of looking, witness Josephs Mistress, David, Achan, the Israelites,