The works of George Swinnock, M.A

The distracted world indeed judgeth him the bravest fellow, that will not pocket up the least affronts; but the wisest man that ever was; nay, the only wise God, tells me. The patient in spirit is better then the proud in spirit;¹ O my soul, whom wilt thou believe? the world that long since hath lost its wits, and must ere long for its frenzy be fettered with the chains of everlasting darkness, ²in the Bridewell of the bottomless pit; or that God to whom Angels themselves are comparative fools! O be not hasty to be angry, for anger resteth in the bosom of fools. ³What a fool art thou to break thy own bones, to give another a smart blow! A furious man is like Tamar, who to be revenged of her father in Law, defiled him and her self with incest. Revenge is a Thief that steals away a mans estate for the Lawyers. It is of the nature of the Viper, and eats out the bowels of that wealth which gave it birth. What a fool am I to defame my self! That rancour and spleen which I spit at others, is like his that spits against the wind, driven back into my own face, to the besmearing of my credit amongst all that are judicious. What a fool am I to destroy my own grace, my own peace! What flowers of holiness will grow where such locusts abound? What fruits of righteousness can thrive in such a scorching Climate? What good work can be done within doors, if the house be in a flame? How unfit is a man in a passion, to go to God in prayer? surely, no more then a person that comes reeking and sooted from a kell, is for the presence of his Prince. I must not expect to meet God in a duty, if my spirit be in a fury. A righteous man falling down before the wicked, is like a ⟨p. 76⟩troubled Fountain, Prov. 25. 26. I seldom fall down more foully before wicked men, then when I render reviling for reviling, and revenge for revenge; but then how unfit am I to fall down in holy duties before my God! for I am as a troubled fountain; and if men will not drink of the water of a fountain, (though in it self pure and wholesome) when it is troubled and muddy; can I think that my God will drink of that vessel that runs thick! O that I might never, because others are my enemies in defaming me, become my own enemy in defiling my own soul, and hindering it of that comfort which it might have in divine communion. Lord, who art the God of peace, let me be known to be one of thine, by being a Son of peace;