The works of George Swinnock, M.A

1. That meekness is a sign of a wise man. The world counts them only the brave spirits, that scorn to suffer the least affront, and who will repay a single injury with double interest; but these in Gods accounts are fools. What a fool is he that suffereth (his passion) that which should be his servant to become his master, and to tyrannize over him? What a fool is he that perceiving a Musket discharged, will not stoop a little, or fall down a while to avoid the Bullet, but keep his place and height, to the loss of his life? Truly, such a fool is he that will never yield to another's wrath. Is not he a fool, that seeing a fire in his neighbours house, anger in his Neighbours heart, is so far from helping to quench it by the water of mildness, that he throweth more fuel on it, and increaseth its flame, even to the burning down of his own? is not he a fool, that ventureth his inestimable soul, at every trifling cast, and runneth headlong upon the greatest ⟨p. 45⟩hazards? Surely 'tis not without reason, the wise man speaks so often of a fools wrath, and that Anger resteth in the bosom of fools, Prov. 27. 3. and 17. 12. &c. A wise man deferreth his anger, least it burn with too hot a flame; Prov. 29. 11. He will draw back the brands, least the fire exceeding its bounds, should consume him; How many have been thrown, nay utterly over-thrown, by laying the reins upon the neck of their brutish passions, when their persons would have been safe, had but their passions been curbed? Charles the sixth, King of France, was mad for anger, and desire of revenge on the Duke of Britain. Excess of wrath cost Ajax his life, if the Poet may be believed. Sulla in the height of fury vomited up his blood and his breath together,¹ saith the Historian. When such winds blow, they raise black and dark clouds. A furious man hath few friends; like Ismael, his hand is against every man, and every mans hand is against him. The Herons name in Hebrew signifieth to be angry, and its observed, scarce any fowl hath so many foes; the Eagle preyeth upon her, the Fox catcheth her in the night, the Hawk destroyeth her eggs; How foolish is the Bee that loseth her life, and her sting together, she puts another to a little pain, but how dearly doth she pay for it?