The works of George Swinnock, M.A

O how grossly do they delude their souls, that think they love the Head, when they hate and despise the Members; that say they affect and prize Christ above their lives, when they reject ⟨p. 141⟩and persecute Christians to the very death. Lord• thou hast told me, He that loveth not his Brother, abideth in death. All thy Children are my Brethren, they have the same Father, the same Mother; O suffer me not to give conscience cause to witness against me, that I am in a state of death, of damnation, for want of this brotherly affection; but grant that the hot beams of thy love may so warm my heart, that I may be always reflecting back love to thy self and thy Saints, as an evidence of my eternal salvation.

O how grossely do they delude their souls, that think they love the Head, when they hate and despise the Members; that say they affect and prize Christ above their lives, when they reject ⟨p. 141⟩and persecute Christians to the very death. Lord• thou hast told me, He that loveth not his Brother, abideth in death. All thy Children are my Brethren, they have the same Father, the same Mother; O suffer me not to give conscience cause to witness against me, that I am in a state of death, of damnation, for want of this brotherly affection; but grant that the hot beams of thy love may so warm my heart, that I may be always reflecting back love to thy self and thy Saints, as an evidence of my eternal salvation.

I Wish that I may consider whom I choose for my Companions,³ least I be disappointed in the ends of Company, My God intendeth society to be helpful to his people in the best things; But they are never likely to further me in holiness, who walk in the broad way that leadeth to Hell; Satan's Servants will not teach me to do the Lords work; That friendship is ill made, which is soon broken; no band can hold him who is a stranger to Religion; Where there is no fear of God in the heart, there can be no true friendship; They who are two in disposition, will scarce be one in affection; Where there is no true likeness, there can be no true love; Can two walk together, unless they be agreed? Grace is the only Cement which conglutinates hearts, and maketh true friends; A brutish Sinner and a Believer are contrary each to other. An unjust man is abominable to the just; and he that is upright in his way is abominable to the wicked; the Eagle hath perpetual emnity with Serpents, and Dragons, and their seed; So hath the Eagle-eyed Christian with the seed of the Serpent; Beasts hate fire, and