The works of George Swinnock, M.A

The Romans, because they would not have any defrauded of civil respect, retained Admonitors (called Nomenclatores) who should suggest the name and quality of every one they encountered, that so he might be saluted in a conformable stile.

The Romans, be•ause they would not have any defrauded of civil respect, retained Admonitors (called Nomenclatores) who should suggest the name and quality of every one they encountered, that so he might be saluted in a conformable stile.

We read in Scripture frequently of Salutations sent to and from the Saints, Rom. 16.¹ God never intended that when men put on Christianity, they should put off civility. Those Quakers who like Idols, have eyes and see not, mo•ths and speak not, are so far from being invested (above others, as they pretend) with the divine nature, that they are even divested of the humane nature. The very Turks salutation to him they meet, is Salaum aleek, Peace be to thee; and the reply is,² Aleek salaum, To thee be peace also. When Boaz came into his field, The Lord be with you, saith he to his Reapers; The Lord bless thee, say they to him.³ Indeed, Christ commands his Disciples, Salute no man, Luk. 10. 4. ⟨p. 42⟩But the occasion of this prohibition is considerable. The Disciples were sent about business of importance and expedition; and the salutations Christ speaks off, are in the nature of those which we call Complements, a filling up of precious time with needless toys and trifles. As if Christ had said, Your work is of weight, and requires haste, do not therefore loiter, by standing to talk with any by the way, but mind your business. It is not intended by a Master who gives his Servant such a charge, that therefore he must not put off his hat, or bid any Good Morrow, or ask their Neighbours how they do, for ever after. The same Law-giver doth command Salutations by his on mouth; Into what house ye enter, say, Peace be to this house,