The works of George Swinnock, M.A

Enable me to avoid the Congregation of evil doers, and keep me from going with the wicked, lest I learn their ways, and get a snare to my soul.

I Wish that I may be the more fearful of joining with sinners,¹ lest my God join me with them in their sufferings. It is evil and woeful to be found in that house, which is all over in a flame; The anger of my God, is worse then a consuming fire, and shall I associate with them that are always under his fury? When a City is taken by storm in the night, the sword makes no difference (amongst the Inhabitants) betwixt friends and foes. What safety can I expect in being near them that are far from Gods Law and Love? Wicked men are dross, they have no good metal in them; they are neither fit vessels to serve, nor currant money to enrich me; but though I be Gold, if mingled with such Dross, I must look to be melted. If the Stork accompany the Cranes, its no wonder if she be taken in the fame Net. Jehoshaphat was a good man, yet for joining with the wicked; wrath came upon him from the Lord (2 Chron. 19. 2.) If I follow him in his sin, shall I be free? All that sailed in the Ship, fared the worse for one disobedient Jonah; his company cost them the loss of their lading, and was like to have cost them their lives. The whole body of Israel fell before their enemies, because wicked Achan stood amongst them. O my soul• dost thou think then to afford such thy presence, and not to share in their punishment? Consider with seriousness what thy God saith; Depart from the Tabernacle of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest ye be consumed in their sins. Wouldst thou for any carnal profit, be found amongst those persons who are every moment in danger of the bottomless pit? The Earth clave asunder that was under them, and swallowed them up, their houses, ⟨p. 137⟩goods, and all that appertained to them. O what man, unless bereft of his wits, would be one hour contentedly in the company of these Corahs, that are always liable to Gods curse? Let the great use thou makest of such dreadful Doctrines be, not to partake of their sins, so much as by thy presence, that thou mayst not partake of their plagues. And they that were round about them, fled at the cry of them; for they said, Let us be gone quickly, lest the earth swallow up us also,