The works of George Swinnock, M.A

Observe Reader, how dearly men pay for their gilded nothings, for their earthen potsherds covered with silver dross; they walk up and down, run hither and thither, disquiet themselves with cares and fears, and heart piercing frights and vexations for a vain show; The people labour in the fire, and weary themselves for very vanity, Habak. 2. 13. Their work is hot and hard, they labour in the fire, even to lassitude and weariness. But is it about the noble concernments of their immortal souls? Is it that their sins may be pardoned, the vitiosity of their natures healed, and that their souls may be fitted for the heavenly mansions? No, it is for very vanity. For that which will not afford them the least good, or make them in any respect better, or blessed. Alas, how much below, nay contrary to reason doth man act, to cast away pearls upon swine, gold upon dross, diamonds upon dirt, to throw away his time and seasons of grace, which are more worth then rubies, then all riches, upon that which is vanity and vexation of spirit!

Observe Rearder, how dearly men pay for their guilded nothings, for their earthen potsherds coverd with silver dross; they walk up and down, run hither and thither, disquiet themselves with cares and fears, and heart piercing frights and vexations for a vain shew; The people labour in the fire, and weary themselves for very vanity, Habbak. 2. 13. Their work is hot and hard, they labour in the fire, even to lassitude and weariness. But is it about the noble concerments of their immortal souls? Is it that their sins may be pardoned, the vitiosity of their natures healed, and that their souls may be fitted for the heavenly mansions? No, it is for very vanity. For that which will not afford them the least good, or make them in any respect better, or blessed. Alas, how much below, nay contrary to reason doth man act, to cast away pearls upon swine, gold upon dross, diamonds upon dirt, to throw away his time and seasons of grace, which are more worth then rubies, then all riches, upon that which is vanity and vexation of spirit!

It was a worthy check, which Cineas the Orator gave to the monstrous Ambition of Pyrrhus; ⟨p. 827⟩