The works of George Swinnock, M.A

I Wish that I may be both so just as not to offer injuries to others, and also so meek as to suffer with patience what others offer to me. ³The world will never leave its old haunt of persecuting them that are holy. Its natural for Wolves to hate and devour Sheep; If I were of the world, I should be one of its darlings, for the World loveth its own. My God hath called me from it, and chosen me out of it, therefore it hates me. I need not marvel at its malice, when it did spit its venom at the Author of its being, and took away life from him, who gave life ⟨p. 74⟩to it. The Servant is not above his Master, nor must the Disciple look to fare better then his Lord. If the soft Pillow of meekness be not laid on my back, I shall never bear the burdens of their calumnies, and cruelties with the least comfort; What pain doth such Vinegar cause, when it meets with the raw wound of an impatient spirit! The more mad the world is, the more meek I had need to be, if I would enjoy my self. Besides, there may be •allings out amongst the best friends. Good men are not all of the same stature, nor all of the same temper. Some are like broken bones, if but touched they fret and fling. How full are some of jealousies and suspicions, which would soon be increased by my passions; and that spark which might be extinguished by my lenity, is blown into a flame by my fury! Some are sickly and in constant pain, others are under some smarting providence; some offend me upon mistake, and though others should do it out of malice, yet even they also call for my pity, more then my passion: The best have need of pardon from man, as well as God; and shall I, who want it more then others, not allow it to others? Alas, what harm do I get by others heats? The Air when beaten is not injured, no not so much as divided, but returns to its place, and becomes thicker then before. The sharpest words cannot wound me, if I do not put my hand to the weapon. All those tongue-squibs of reproach which the malevolent world throw at me, will go out alone, and die of themselves if I do not revive them. My well-grounded patience will as a walking staff; preserve me from many a fall, whilst I travail in rugged ways.

I Wish that I may be both so just as not to offer injuries to others, and also so meek as to suffer with patience what others offer to me.