The works of George Swinnock, M.A

SECT. VI.

¹Secondly, If thou wouldst exercise thy self to godliness in thy dealings with all men, look not only to the manner of thy dealing, but also to the principle. Thy righteous, courteous, and meek carriage must proceed from obedience to Gods command. Many of the Heathen (as thou hast heard) were just in their contracts, they would as soon die as deceive; Now how wouldst thou know whether thou exceedest them, but by a principle of Conscience, from which thou actest. If Pagans and Christians be found travelling in the same path, the only way to difference them, i• to enquire, whence they both sat out, and whither they are going; what is the principle from which they act, and what is the end of their journey? According to the principle of a man, such is his end; If the Barrel of the Musket be crooked, it will never carry the Bullet right; therefore thy principle must especially be minded. There be many things that move orderly, and yet their motion is not from a principle of life; as a Mill moveth by reason of the water, yet is no living creature. An outward principle of custom or fashion or glory, may make a man just and patient in his actings; many do the things commanded, not because they are commanded, but upon some sinister account. Morality and Christianity, differ specifically; the Moralist worketh from nature, a little refined by study or education; the Christian from nature, throughly renewed by the Holy ⟨p. 51⟩Ghost. Where this spring is wanting, no motion can be true; be the fruit never so fair to the eye, if the root whence it groweth be not good, it will be unpleasant and distasteful. Laban at the last, was just in his agreement with Jacob, but shame, not conscience, was the curb that held him in. Such dealings like fruits which are ripened by art and force, are not kindly, neither be they acceptable to the heavenly taste. Indeed, all such righteousness is unrighteousness, and all such persons, though they are just to men, and do them no wrong, yet are unjust to God, and deprive him of his right.