The works of George Swinnock, M.A

'Tis the empty Barrel that makes the greatest sound. The poor women that have nothing but a few Matches, or Pins, or Band-strings, or Thread-laces; the men that have only a few Brooms, or some Small-coal, or Roots, make a great stir, and loud noise about the City, and would have every ⟨p. 796⟩body acquainted with their ware. When the great Usurer that is worth thousands in Bills and Bonds, and the rich Shopkeeper, whose estate swelleth to a vast bulk, never proclaim what they are worth, but rather endeavour to hide it; Those that have least spiritual riches, are most guilty of boasting; Laodicaea bragged much that was poor, and miserable, and blind, and naked, and worse then naught, They who are fullest of Faith, and richest in good works, make the least sound; When their hearts and lives like the face of Moses, shine brightly with grace and holiness, they do not, they will not, know it. They consider their greatest light and lustre, is but a reflection from the Father of lights, and therefore they have no reason at all to boast of borrowed goods.

'Tis the empty Barrel that makes the greatest sound. The poor women that have nothing but a few Matches, or Pins, or Band-strings, or Threadlaces; the men that have onely a few Brooms, or some Small-coal, or Roots, make a great stir, and loud noise about the City, and would have every ⟨p. 796⟩body acquainted with their ware. When the great Usurer that is worth thousands in Bills and Bonds, and the rich Shopkeeper, whose estate swelleth to a vast bulk, never proclaim what they are worth, but rather endeavour to hide it; Those that have least spiritual riches, are most guilty of boasting; Laodicaea bragged much that was poor, and miserable, and blind, and naked, and worse then naught, They who are fullest of Faith, and richest in good works, make the least sound; When their hearts and lives like the face of Moses, shine brightly with grace and holiness, they do not, they will not, know it. They consider their greatest light and lustre, is but a reflection from the Father of lights, and therefore they have no reason at all to boast of borrowed goods.