The works of George Swinnock, M.A

Thirdly, If thou wouldst exercise thy self to Godliness in thy dealings with men,¹ let thine end and aim in thy dealings be good. Have an eye in them, not only to thine own temporal good (this is low and mean) but chiefly to the glory of God, and the spiritual good of thy self and others. Christians must not deal together as Indians, merely for trade and outward advantage; Its but a beggarly calling to trade only for the dirt and pebbles of worldly profit; but its high and honourable to be a Merchant for the Diamonds and Pearls of spiritual riches. The Heathen and the Christian both, may meet in the manner of their dealings, but they part in their ends. The Thief and the honest Countryman are both found riding in the same road, but they have different ends therein, and that distinguisheth them. He is a Dwarf indeed, and looks very low, whose eye in such actions is wholly upon earth. True Saints sore aloft, and have more noble designs in their ordinary dealings, Mat. 5. 16. Like the Moon, they enlighten others with their borrowed brightness, and endeavour to their ⟨p. 53⟩power to reflect their beams back to the Sun, the Fountain of their light.

Thirdly, If thou wouldst exercise thy self to Godliness in thy dealings with men,¹ let thine end and aim in thy dealings be good. Have an eye in them, not onely to thine own temporal good (this is low and mean) but chiefly to the glory of God, and the spiritual good of thy self and others. Christians must not deal together as Indians, meerly for trade and outward advantage; Its but a beggarly calling to trade onely for the dirt and pebbles of worldly profit; but its high and honourable to be a Merchant for the Diamonds and Pearls of spiritual riches. The Heathen and the Christian both, may meet in the manner of their dealings, but they part in their ends. The Thief and the honest Countryman are both found riding in the same road, but they have different ends therein, and that distinguisheth them. He is a Dwarf indeed, and looks very low, whose eye in such actions is wholly upon earth. True Saints sore aloft, and have more noble designes in their ordinary dealings,