The works of George Swinnock, M.A

Indeed, wicked men who are ignorant of the mystery of godliness, because they see no sun-shine in the faces of godly men, judge it to be foul weather in their hearts; As the Roman Soldiers, when they entered into the Sanctum Sanctorum, and saw no Images, presently reported the Jews to worship the Clouds; but a Christians joy is as far ⟨p. 852⟩out of wicked mens sight, to discern it as out of their power to remove it; A stranger intermedleth not with his joy; your hearts shall rejoice, and your joy shall no man take from you. A wicked mans joy is most in his face; As a Black-a-more, he is white no where but in his Teeth. Seneca compares him to a Commander in a desperate battle, who least his Soldiers should run away, sets a good face on it, when he is inwardly terrified, and full of fear; he is like one in an high desperate fever, having a good colour when his heart is heavy, and he is at the gate of death. The Godly mans joy is most in his heart, he is like that fish which hath a rough outside, but a pearl within. When there are storms without, there is music within, peace of conscience, which passeth all understanding. A wicked man is as a book of Tragedies, bound extraordinary, gay and guilt on the out-side, but full of doleful, dreadful stories within, or as Alexander said of Antipater, he was white without, but purple within; his face may be white and smiling, but his conscience is red and fiery. But the godly mans inside is his best side, though his full sacks of joy and delight are not opened till he comes to his Fathers house, yet the blessed Jesus gives him, as Joseph the Patriarchs, sufficient provision for the way. The Law gave the first fruits of the earth to God; the Gospel gives the first fruits of Heaven to men, which are both an earnest and a taste of their glorious and everlasting harvest.

Indeed, wicked men who are ignorant of the mystery of godliness, becuase they see no sun-shine in the faces of godly men, judge it to be foul weather in their hearts; As the Roman Souldiers, when they entered into the Sanctum Sanctorum, and saw no Images, presently reported the Jews to worship the Clouds; but a Christians joy is as far ⟨p. 852⟩out of wicked mens sight, to discern it as out of their power to remove it; A stranger intermedleth not with his joy; your hearts shall rejoyce, and your joy shall no man take from you. A wicked mans joy is most in his face; As a Black-a-more, he is white no where but in his Teeth. Seneca compares him to a Commander in a desperate battel, who least his Souldies should run away, sets a good face on it, when he is inwardly terrified, and full of fear; he is like one in an high desperate fever, having a good colour when his heart is heavy, and he is at the gate of death. The Godly mans joy is most in his heart, he is like that fsh which hath a rough outside, but a pearl within. When there are storms without, there is musick within, peace of conscience, which passeth all understanding. A wicked man is as a book of Tragedies, bound extraordinary, gay and guilt on the out-side, but full of doleful, dreadful stories within, or as Alexander said of Antipater, he was white without, but purple within; his face may be white and smiling, but his conscience is red and fiery. But the godly mans inside is his best side, though his full sacks of joy and delight are not opened till he comes to his Fathers house, yet the blessed Jesus gives him, as Ioseph the Patriarchs, sufficient provision for the way. The Law gave the first fruits of the earth to God; the Gospel gives the first fruits of Heaven to men, which are both an earnest and a taste of their glorious and everlasting harvest.