The works of George Swinnock, M.A

CHAP. II. How Christians may exercise themselves to Godliness, in the Choice of their Companions.

¹Secondly, Thy duty is to make Religion thy business, and to exercise thy self to Godliness in relation to thy Company. Man (saith the Great Philosopher) is [Greek or Hebrew], natures good-fellow (as one Englisheth it) a creature in love with Company. Cosmographers observe, that the farthest Islands of the World are so seated, that there is none so remote, but that from some shore of it, another Island or Continent may be discovered; as if nature hereby invited Countries to mutual commerce. God never intended that the World should be a wilderness, nor the chief inhabitants thereof, as barbarous Beasts, to live alone lurking in their Dens. Monks • and Nuns, and Hermits, who under pretence of Sanctity, sequester themselves from all society, are so far from more holiness, and being better Christians then others, that they seem to have put off the very humane nature, and not to be so much as Men. Unclean, nasty persons, love to be always private, and by their good will, would neither see • nor be seen of others. Birds of Prey fly always alone; and Ravenous Brutes come not abroad till others are retired, Psa. 104. 23. Our very senses speak that God would have us sociable; nay, its the natural voice of our tongues; for our speech, and hearing, and sight, would be in a great degree ⟨p. 87⟩lost, and our Makers end in giving us those Organs and Instruments for converse much frustrated, if every man should immure himself in his own Cell. The graces and spiritual riches of Saints, would in some measure be useless, if they did not deal with some to whom they might distribute them. The Law of man condemneth engrossers of external goods; and the Law of God condemneth engrossers of spiritual good things. They who study to Monopolize all to themselves,²