The works of George Swinnock, M.A

SECT. V.

Thirdly, In thy Choice have respect to spiritual ends, and accordingly improve it. Attend, and ⟨p. 122⟩intend thy own and thy Companions soul-good in it. Friendship hath a key to the heart, which it may use, n•t only to let it self into its secrets, but also to introduce its own conceptions. He hath a great advantage of persuading another to, and encouraging him in holiness, who is already entertained as his friend into his heart. Where the person is so acceptable, the instruction will be the more welcome; We carry others sometimes along with us, to our friends houses, and they are kindly entertained for our sakes. Now to improve this interest, any other way then on Gods behalf is sacrilege. How abominable were it then to use this key for the bringing in of thievish lusts, and murderers upon him! There is no nearer union then of intimate friends, they are one soul; he then that loves himself, and knoweth grace to be his own greatest perfection, ¹must needs endeavour that his friend may have a large portion of it. Persons of quality have a great delight to adorn and beautify the places where they inhabit, and loath to live in dirty f•ies, or nasty dungeons. ²True Friends dwell in each other; the soul is (saith one) not so much where it liveth, as where it loveth; how delectable then must it needs be, for them to seek the embellishing and embroidering those hearts with holiness, in which they have taken up their abode? Love is apt to transport us, so far as to imitate the errors of those whom we affect, like unskilful painters, who express only the wrinkles and blemishes of a face, not being able to reach its beauty; Without Question, this love if rightly improved, would be more prevalent to make ⟨p. 123⟩