The works of George Swinnock, M.A

Indeed though the Heathen laughed at the ridiculousness of such persons, the sensible Christian seeth great cause to weep at the emptiness and unprofitableness of such actions, and the madness of the Agents. Cyprian advised his friend Donatus to suppose himself at the top of the highest mountain, and thence to behold the tumults and chances of this wavering world, and told him that then he could not but either laugh at it, or pity it. Its no such wonder that brutish horses should leave good provender to feed on litter, as some Jades do; but that men who are endued with reasonable souls, that seeming Christians, who have a Table spread before them with hidden Manna, with Angels food, with meat indeed, and drink indeed, withal t•e dainties of Heaven, should neglect these and feed on ashes, may well be matter both of admiration and lamentation.

Indeed though the Heathen laughed at the ridiculousness of such persons, the sensible Christian seeth great cause to weep at the emptiness and unprofitablenss of such actions, and the madness of the Agents. Cyprian advised his friend Donatus to suppose himself at the top of the highest mountain, and thence to behold the tumults and chances of this wavering world, and told him that then he could not but either laugh at it, or pity it. Its no such wonder that brutish horses should leave good provender to feed on litter, as some Jades do; but that men who are indued with reasonable souls, that seeming Christians, who have a Table spread before them with hidden Manna, with Angels food, with meat indeed, and drink indeed, withal t•e dainties of Heaven, should neglect these and feed on ashes, may well be matter both of admiration and lamentation.

The holy Ghost tells such, that they follow after vain things which cannot profit them, 1 Sam. 12. 21. All outward things are like an olive or date stone hard to crack or cleave, but when with much labour they are opened, they are nothing worth.