The works of George Swinnock, M.A

Sin is so base and beggarly, so loathsome and shameful a thing, that not only the children of God, but even wicked men have been unwilling to own it, and ashamed to be taxed with it, or found out at the commission of it. When Godliness is so high and honourable, so noble and excellent a Mistress, that those who deny the power of it, will take upon them the form of it; they who hate its work, will wear its livery. There are hardly any jewels of grace, but for each of them vice hath counterfeit stones O! how noble a Mistress, how honourable a Lady is that, whom all pretend relation to, and even those that hate her would not be thought her enemies, but blush to be taxed as strangers to her.

Sin is so base and beggarly, so loathsome and shameful a thing, that not onely the children of God, but even wicked men have been unwilling to own it, and ashamed to be taxed with it, or found out at the commission of it. When Godliness is so high and honourable, so noble and excellent a Mistress, that those who deny the power of it, will take upon them the form of it; they who hate its work, will wear its livery. There are hardly any jewels of grace, but for each of them vice hath counterfeit stones O! how noble a Mistris, how honourable a Lady is that, whom all pretend relation to, and even those that hate her would not be thought her enemies, but blush to be taxed as strangers to her.

2. It is the most comfortable and delightful Calling • Satan would represent Christians under ugly visors, and Christianity frightful, to make men loath both the one and the other; As he transforms himself the Prince of darkness, and his ways which are darkness, into an Angel of light and seeming ⟨p. 850⟩light, so he endeavours to transform Christians, who are children of light, and their holy ways, which are paths of light, into children of darkness; and paths of darkness. He endeavours to make men think the power of godliness Antipodes to all cheerfulness, but holiness is far from such a crabbed face, and austere countenance as he would have us fancy. No trade hath so much mirth with it and in i; Joy is one essential part of this Calling, The kingdom of God consisteth not in meats and drinks, but in righteousness, and peace, and joy in the holy Ghost,