The works of George Swinnock, M.A

The Horse must be broken when a Colt, and the Lion tamed when a Whelp; Its best to deal with sin, as Jocasta with Oedipus, to cast it forth in its infancy. The Israelite must dash these Babylonian Infants, against the wall, if he would be a blessed man, Isa. 13.18. The Christian that checketh ⟨p. 801⟩and curbeth sin when it first appeareth, doth as David to the Philistine, wound it in the forehead, and so slayeth it certainly. As the Snail by little and little creepeth up from the root of the tree to the top, consuming the leaves as it goeth, and leaving nothing behind it but filth and slime: So sin gradually infecteth the whole man. This poison if not presently vomited up, as soon as taken down, flieth to, and destroyeth the vitals. The Apostle calleth it a Canker, and truly so it is in regard of its spreading nature, both as to persons, from one man to another, and to parts, from one faculty of the soul and member of the body to another. How dreadful was the effect of a few boys joining with Massianello in Naples, anno 1647. whom the officers and people laughed and jeered at, instead of subduing! What murders, and burning Palaces and Churches did ensue and arise from so contemptible means! Therefore as wise Princes will be heedful to suppress riots, and petty insurrections, knowing that if they be let alone they will break out into open rebellion, and cause much bloodshed and mischief: So Reader, do thou stifle and kill sin in the womb, before it be quick, lest thou like the young Serpents, if brought forth, it tear out thy bowels, and its birth cause thy death.

The Horse must be broken when a Colt, and the Lion tamed when a Whelp; Its best to deal with sin, as Iocasta with Oedipus, to cast it forth in its infancy. The Israelite must dash these Babylonian Infants, against the wall, if he would be a blessed man, Isa. 13.18. The Christian that checketh ⟨p. 801⟩and curbeth sin when it first appeareth, doth as David to the Philistine, wound it in the forehead, and so slayeth it certainly. As the Snail by little and little creepeth up from the root of the tree to the top, consuming the leaves as it goeth, and leaving nothing behind it but filth and slime: So sin gradually infecteth the whole man. This poison if not presently vomited up, as soon as taken down, flieth to, and destroyeth the vitals. The Apostle calleth it a Canker, and truly so it is in regard of its spreading nature, both as to persons, from one man to another, and to parts, from one faculty of the soul and member of the body to another. How dreadful was the effect of a few boys joyning with Massianello in Naples, anno 1647. whom the officers and people laughed and jeered at, instead of subduing! What murders, and burning Palaces and Churches did ensue and arise from so contemptible means! Therefore as wise Princes will be heedful to suppress riots, and petty insurrections, knowing that if they be let alone they will break out into open rebellion, and cause much bloodshed and mischeif: So Reader, do thou stifle and kill sin in the womb, before it be quick, lest thou like the young Serpents, if brought forth, it tear out thy bowels, and its birth cause thy death.