The works of George Swinnock, M.A

They have no changes, therefore they fear not God, Psa. 55. 7. Atalanta lost the wager she ran for, by gathering up the Golden Apples which Hippomenes for that purpose had thrown in her way. ⟨p. 815⟩5. That others who are better then I and more holy, are worse for this world, and suffer more hardships. In spiritual things look on those above thee, that by an honest emulation thou mayst reform and amend; but in temporal things look on those below thee, that thou mayst not complain or murmur. How many are in fetters, wandering up and down from house and home, set upon the wrack of diseases, and have an ounce of misery for every dram which thou hast? stay Sirs, said the wise Harry in the Fable, let our estate content us, for as we run from some; so others run from us. 6. That all shall work for my good. The Saint is sure to thrive by his sufferings; When Children meet with Nuts, or Apples, or Primroses in their way, those are ofttimes occasions to make them loiter in their errands, incur their Parents anger, and sometime their late return finds the door shut against them; when such as meet with danger make the more haste, and their speed procureth them the greater welcome. They who meet with pleasures are apt to loiter; they who meet with miseries make the more haste, and shall find the better cheer. The Christian hath a promise, and the very Godhead of the Almighty engaged for its performance: We know that all things shall work together for good to them that love God, to them that are called according to his purpose, Rom. 8. 28. Why should not the Christian with an holy resolution hold a steady course in all weathers, and though he be forced with cross winds to shift his sails and catch at side winds, yet wisely steer and keep on his course by the Cape of good hope, when he may be certain that ⟨p. 816⟩every wind that bloweth shall help him forward to his eternal joyful Haven. Though we cannot see how some passages of Gods providence, as persecution, oppression, loss of relations or estates, sickness or disgrace, should do otherwise then hurt and injure us; and are ready to darken counsel by words without knowledge, and to say as Jacob, Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, all these are against me. Children are not, Honours are not, Riches are not, Liberty is not; All these are against me. But Christ may say to us of such severe dispensations, as once to Peter;