The works of George Swinnock, M.A

1. Be watchful over thy soul, that thou contractest no guilt. Its hard to be near those that are dirty and defiled, and yet to keep our Garments unspotted and clean. Wicked men as Dyers and Painters, who use colours, are usually besmeared themselves in their hands and habits, and they also besmear others. The Lake of Sodom is called Asphaltides, ⟨p. 161⟩or the Dead Sea, because of the venomous vapours which arise out of it, insomuch that Birds which fly over it, fall down dead, and beasts that drink of it sicken and dye. Some men have found evil society as poisonous to their souls, as brutes have found the Dead Sea to their bodies. Pope Nicholas the thirds Concubine, by looking on a Bear frequently, was brought abed of a Monster. Thy frequent vision of their wicked actions, may cause too great a likeness in thy conversation. But the Saint should resemble the Carbuncle, which being cast into the fire, is no whit defiled or impaired thereby, but therein shines most brightly; If it be closed fast (say some) in a ring of Lead, and cast into the fire, we may see the Lead molten, but the Carbuncle not so much as mollified, or in the least blemished

1. Be watchful over thy soul, that thou contractest no guilt. Its hard to be near those that are dirty and defiled, and yet to keep our Garments unspotted and clean. Wicked men as Diers and Painters, who use colours, are usually besmeared themselves in their hands and habits, and they also besmear others. The Lake of Sodom is called Asphaltides, ⟨p. 161⟩or the Dead Sea, because of the venemous vapours which arise out of it, insomuch that Birds which flye over it, fall down dead, and beasts that drink of it sicken and dye. Some men have found evil society as poisonous to their souls, as brutes have found the Dead Sea to their bodies. Pope Nicholas the thirds Concubine, by looking on a Bear frequently, was brought abed of a Monster. Thy frequent vision of their wicked actions, may cause too great a likeness in thy conversation. But the Saint should resemble the Carbuncle, which being cast into the fire, is nowhit defiled or impaired thereby, but therein shines most brightly; If it be closed fast (say some) in a ring of Lead, and cast into the fire, we may see the Lead molten, but the Carbuncle not so much as mollified, or in the least blemished