The works of George Swinnock, M.A

Name: The works of George Swinnock, M.A
Author: George Swinnock

The works of George Swinnock, M.A. containing these several treatises ...

George Swinnock 1627–1673London: printed by J.B. for Tho. Parkhurst, 1665

[42], 877, [7] p. · 271k words · Wing S6264 · ESTC R7231

Title page typeset from the transcription.

Chapter 13: Means whereby Christians may exercise themselves to Godliness. A contented Spirit; Avoi…

Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.

[ Earlier:1217–1232 of 1,420

:1217p. 819

Lastly, If thou woodst exercise thy self to godliness, take heed of those things that will hinder thee therein. As if a man would have his trees to thrive, he must not only open the earth sometimes, and mind its watering, but also lop off superfluous branches; and as a Gardiner if he would have his herbs and flowers to flourish, must be sure to keep his Banks and Beds well weeded, as well as dunged or watered; so if thou wouldst thrive and flourish in godliness, ••ere is a necessity of avoiding what is hurtful to it, as well as of using what is helpful.

Lastly, If thou woudst exercise thy self to godliness, take heed of those things that will hinder thee therein. As if a man would have his trees to thrive, he must not onely open the earth sometimes, and mind its watering, but also lop off superfluous branches; and as a Gardiner if he would have his hearbs and flowers to flourish, must be sure to keep his Banks and Beds well weeded, as well as dunged or watered; so if thou wouldst thrive and flourish in godliness, ••ere is a necessity of avoiding what is hur•ful to it, as well as of using what is helpful.

:1218p. 820

There be several things which will keep a Christian from the exercise of his holy calling, some of which I shall but briefly name, having had occasion to speak of others, and also to these in other Chapters.

:1219p. 820–821

1. Avoid evil company. Wicked persons delight to have or to make fellows. Hence we find in Scripture that they go as the unclean beasts into the Ark in pairs; Adam and Eve, Simeon and Levi, Ammon and Jonadab, Hymeneus and Alexander, Phygellus and Hermogenes, Ananias and Sapphira. Can a man take fire in his bosom and not be burned? Expect not that the flowers of thy graces should flourish, unless these weeds be removed from them. He that walketh in the rain must expect to be wet, he that walketh in the Sun must expect to be tanned, and he that walks among polluting persons must expect to be polluted. 2. Take heed of idleness. An idle man is like an heap of dry straw, quickly fired by the sparks of Satan's temptations,

[ Earlier passages Later passages ]

Reformers309

Puritans1,782

Westminster Assembly24

Evangelicals36

CHAP. XIV. Motives inciting Christians to exercise themselves to Godliness. The Vanity of other exercises; The brevity of mans life; The Patterns of others.