The works of George Swinnock, M.A

Thy God commandeth thee to love the brotherhood, that is, to love them as brethren, not as kind, or wise, or great, or wealthy; and to ⟨p. 149⟩love the whole fraternity and brood of thy Father, not this or that brother. O do thou in the choice of thy familiars, look over those natural or civil excellencies, which infinite wisdom bestoweth only upon some, and mind chiefly that super-natural quality, which is truly praise-worthy, and inherent in all. Thy God hath chosen the poor of the World, and he is no respectre of persons. O do thou follow his honourable pattern, and let the poor, the mean, the lowest members of Christ be lovely and amiable in thine eye. Choose godliness in all, and then thou wilt refuse none, but choose all that are godly. Though the holiness of some be but as the smoking flax, do not thou choke but cherish it. Lord,¹ thou hast a tender respect for thy little children and babes in Christ; it is thy pleasure that thy little ones should not be offended, that such as are weak in the faith, should be received; cause thy servant to love all thy Saints, and to be able to say, with that man after •hine own heart, I am a Companion of all that fear thee, and keep thy Statutes, Psa. 119. 63.

Thy God commandeth thee to love the brotherhood, that is, to love them as brethen, not as kind, or wise, or great, or wealthy; and to ⟨p. 149⟩love the whole fraternity and brood of thy Father, not this or that brother. O do thou in the choice of thy familiars, look over those natural or civil excellencies, which in•inite wisdom bestoweth onely upon some, and mind chiefly that super-natural quality, which is truly praise-worthy, and inherent in all. Thy God hath chosen the poor of the World, and he is no respecter of persons. O do thou follow his honourable pattern, and let the poor, the mean, the lowest members of Christ be lovely and amiable in thine eye. Choose godliness in all, and then thou wilt refuse none, but choose all that are godly. Though the holiness of some be but as the smoaking flax, do not thou choak but cherish it. Lord,