The works of George Swinnock, M.A

I Wish that the glory of Religion may be so dear to my heart,² that I may render it amiable to the eyes of others, by walking every way suitable to my profession; The name of my God is holy and reverend, and shall I offer it to reproach? Some write that the Jews would not foul their mouths with that unclean word of blaspheming God, but always expressed it by a contrary word of blessing God; If it were so execrable that they hated to speak it, shall I be so vile as to act it? It were a sin to wrong a man of his good name; what is it then to rob my God? If I dress my self in the livery of Christ, and in that habit wallow in the mire of unrighteous dealings, I give up the blessed Redeemer to the scorn and derision of the world. Every one that nameth the name of Christ, should depart from iniquity. The colours of Christ which I wear, cause many ⟨p. 61⟩to look upon me; Every professor is like a City on an Hill, visible to all; Spots are sooner seen in scarlet, then in sackcloth; Blots appear fouler in a strict professor, then in a loose and profane person. None wonders to see swine dirty; but to see the Ermine's beautiful skin bemired, is prodigious. How watchful are the wicked to observe my wanderings! All my familiars watch for my halting, they mark my steps when they watch for my soul, If they can find the least tincture of falseness in my words, or colour of unfaithfulness in my works, they soon make it much greater, looking on it through the Spectacles of malice. How quick do they post it abroad, and publish it amongst their companions! I hear the defaming of many, fear on every side; Report, say they, and we will report it. What a shame was it, that the Great Turk should take the violated Covenant of the Hungarian King, out of his bosom, and present it to the blessed God, as the act of those that wore his livery, and prosest them selves his servants? When those that should be the beauty of Israel, are slain in the high places, and (those that by their profession are) the mighty, fall in the streets, they soon tell it in Gath, and publish it in Askelon; the Daughters of the Philistines rejoice, the Sons of the uncircumcised triumph; then the banks of blasphemy are broken down, and the floods of scoffs and scorns come pouring in. And when they went among the Heathen, they profaned my holy name, when they said to them;² These are the people of the Lord.