The works of George Swinnock, M.A

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.

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, Prov. 28. 19. 1 Tim. 5. 13. 2 Thess. 3. 10, 11. Whist the Oyster lieth gaping against the Sun, he is devoured by the Crabfish. Whilst the Christian lieth lazing on the bed of idleness, he is a prey to Satan. The purest river water if it stand still in a vessel, will become unsavoury. The best corn if not stirred will be musty. As the Caterpillar consumeth the leaf, and the Canker the rose, so will idleness thy godliness, Ezek. •6. 49. A• men in war lying in the field, if they be slothful and lie lazing on the ground, must expect to ⟨p. 821⟩be a prey to their enemies. The Amalekites found this by experience; the sluggard will rather be killed, then take the pains to defend himself. A slothful man, who will not employ his stock, cannot expect to improve his stock. The diligent hand maketh rich in goods and in grace. 3. Love not the World; The thorns of the world hinder the growth of the good seed of grace. This worlds best, are the other worlds worst husbands. Its hard for the Periwinkle in the Sea to swim, because of the house on her back; Its impossible for them to swim Heaven-ward, who have the world not on their backs, but in their hearts. The more thou delightest in this world, the more thou wilt neglect the other world. He who is taken with, and fond of an Harlot, will quickly abate in his love to, nay cast off his-honest wife. The Palm tree is least at the bottom, and the higher it groweth, the thicker and greater it is, contrary to all other trees. The higher a Christian mounts in his affections, and the more heavenly he is, the more he wil thrive in Christianity. The Child cannot thrive that feedeth on Dirt;