The works of George Swinnock, M.A

I Wish that the Commands of my God may be the warrant of my election;² and the beautiful Image of my God, may be the only Motive of my affection to his chosen; Should I show favour to the Saints, and not with respect to the fear of my God in them, I manifest no sanctity; It is possible for me to love the man, and yet hate the Christian in the same person. How frequent is it to love men that are godly, and yet not to love godliness? Potiphar respected Joseph, a good man, but not for his goodness sake; he preferred him as a good servant to him, not as a good Subject to God. The Children of Heth honoured Abraham for the sake of his riches, or courtesy, not upon the account of his righteousness, and piety. Abimelech struck a Covenant with Isaac, as a good Neighbour, not as a Believer. ⟨p. 148⟩It is one thing to love peace, and another thing to love purity; this latter is proper to a Christian, the former competible to Heathen; O that my love might never as Labans •o Jacob, be mercenary, carried out towards any of Gods people, more for the good I get by them, then for the good that is in them. How unsuitable is such a love to the Divine nature, and how unworthy of my profession? If I love them for their wealth or their bounty, I love their riches not them, or rather, I love my self, and neither them nor any thing of theirs. This is self-love, not Saint-love; If their persons were stripped of those Ornaments, wherewith they are now clothed, such love would languish and dye. Should these be the wheels, upon which my love moves, when they are wanting, my love will stand still; such friendship is but like a fire of straw, which burns brightly whilst it hath matter to feed upon, but that being neglected, it is extinguished and turned into ashes. O my soul, consider what foundation thy love is built on, lest it appear to be feigned; If thou lovest men for their parts, or for thy own profit, thou dost not love thy Saviour in them, but thy carnal self, and thereby dost evidence thine Hypocrisy more then thy sincerity. It is not all kindness to Saints, nor all joining with Christian society, which is a• act or sign of sanctity. The Baptist had fair respect from Herod, and yet the King could take off his Head. The Barbarians showed great courtesy to Paul and his companions, but not the least Christianity.