The works of George Swinnock, M.A

As the Ivy by little and little creepeth upon the Oak, till at last it doth destroy it; so doth sin cling about the soul, and by degrees over-run and undo it. When the water begins to freeze, it will hardly bear a penny weight; let it alone a little longer, and it will bear a shilling, then a pound weight, then a man, then a horse, then cart and load and all. As the cloud which Elijahs servant saw, was at first no bigger then a mans hand, but afterwards it spread till it covered the Heavens. Peter first denieth his Master, then sweareth, then curseth, and forsweareth himself. Cain first harbours envious thoughts of his brother, then murdereth him in his heart, then kills him with his hand, then quarrelleth with God and despaireth. There is no staying when we are once down the Hill, till we come to the bottom; If this Giant of sin get in but a limb, he will quickly get in his whole body. Wanton thoughts, if not stifled, bring forth actual uncleanness. Sin is like water, if we give it the least way, run it will in spite of us. If we get not the conquest over it in its infancy, we shall not overcome it when it is brought to maturity. He that cannot put out a spark, will be much more unable to put out a flame. The smallest of these twigs, will prove thorny bushes, if not timely stubbed up.

As the Ivy by little and little creepth upon the Oak, till at last it doth destroy it; so doth sin cling about the soul, and by degrees over-run and undo it. When the water begins to freeze, it will hardly bear a peny weight; let it alone a little longer, and it will bear a shilling, then a pound weight, then a man, then a horse, then cart and load and all. As the cloud which Elijahs servant saw, was at first no bigger then a mans hand, but afterwards it spread till it covered the Heavens. Peter first denyeth his Master, then sweareth, then curseth, and forsweareth himself. Cain first ha•bours envious thoughs of his brother, then murdereth him in his heart, then kills him with his hand, then quarrelleth with God and despaireth. There is no staying when we are once down the Hill, till we come to the bottom; If this Giant of sin get in but a limb, he will quickly get in his whole body. Wanton thoughts, if not stifled, bring forth actual uncleanness. Sin is like water, if we give it the least way, run it will in spight of us. If we get not the conquest over it in its infancy, we shall not overcome it when it is brought to maturity. He that cannot put out a spark, will be much more unable to put out a flame. The smallest of these twigs, will prove thorny bushes, if not timely stubbed up.