The works of George Swinnock, M.A

I beseech thee let my lot fall amongst those persons that are filled with the fruits of thy Spirit, for they only will be faithful to the true and holy ends for which thou hast ordained friendship. Preserve me from walking in the counsel of the ungodly, and standing in the way of sinners, lest being found in their Company, I come to inherit their curses.

I beseech thee let my lot fall amongst those persons that are filled with the fruits of thy Spirit, for they onely will be faithful to the true and holy ends for which thou hast ordained friendship. Preserve me from walking in the counsel of the ungodly, and standing in the way of sinners, lest being found in their Company, I come to inherit their curses.

¹I Wish that I may like Paul, join my self to the Disciples, and be in League only with them who are joined to the Lord, in an everlasting Covenant, never to be forgotten; I profess my self to be a follower of God; My God hath set apart him that is godly for himself, (Psa. 4. 3.) If the godly man be the object of my Gods choice, he may well be of mine. If he be separated for his service, he is without question worthy of my society? Surely there is some value in those vessels, which are meet for the Masters use. Common and ordinary things are not fit for a Princes Table; Neither is every person meet for a Kings presence. They are specially qualified with parts and abilities, that stand before Great men. Pharaoh would have none but men of activity to serve him, in tending his Cattle. Nebuchadnezzar would have Children in whom was no blemish, but well-favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding sciences, ⟨p. 145⟩and such as had ability in them, (Dan. 1.4.) to stand in the Kings Palace; What manner of men are those then, whom the glorious God hath chosen to wait upon him? There cannot but be rare perfections in them that are set a part to show forth all his praise. He is infinitely wise, and would not honour them so much that are not of eminent worth. O my soul, what a Lodestone is here, to draw forth thy love towards the Saints! Thy constant, thy loving, thy best friend, sets an high price upon them. All the world besides, is a wild Wilderness to him; they only are his Garden wherein he delights, and wilt not thou walk there with him, amongst such fragrant Flowers, and pleasant Fruits? He esteems others but as dust, they are his jewels. Observe what he tells thee, The heart of a wicked man is little worth, but the tongue of the righteous is as choice silver. The heart of man includes the understanding, will, and affections, the soul, and all its faculties, and is the noblest part of man, it is the fountain of life, the spring of motion, the seat of his Empire and Regiment; nay, the Commander in chief, that ordereth and disposeth of all at pleasure; yet this heart, which is the most excellent part, in a wicked man is of small price, it is little worth, nay, is worse then naught; but the tongue (a far inferior member) of the righteous, is (no mean metal) as choice silver, and makes a most delightful sound.