The works of George Swinnock, M.A

Thirdly, If thou wouldst exercise thy self to Godliness in evil company, Be sure thou dost not disown thy profession, and deny Jesus Christ. Though it behoveth thee to walk wisely, because sinners lye in wait to destroy thy life; yet be careful thou dost not walk wickedly, for sin lieth in wait to destroy thy soul. It may consist with grace, not always openly to proclaim thy profession, yet i•s a graceless part at any time to deny it. Twas a blot to Nicodemus, that he was a Night-bird. If the honour of Christ be engaged, and by thy silence the Gospel will suffer, then not to publish what thou art, is a sin. The light of Religion ought not to be carried in a Dark Lantern, and to be shown only, when thy own interest will permit, and ⟨p. 173⟩at other times to be hid; Christ tells us, Who•oever shall deny me before men, him will I deny before my Father which is in Heaven, Mat. 10. 33. Not to confess Christ openly when thou art called to it, is to deny him. And expect the same measure from Christ in the other world, which thou givest to him in this; How justly will he be disowned for a servant hereafter, that was ashamed to own so Noble a Master here? And how dreadful will his condition be, whom Christ shall deny before his Father! All thy happiness depends upon his confessing thee; If he disclaim thee, Devils will lay claim to thee, and theirs thou shalt be for ever. It concerns thee therefore to confess Christ, how dear soever it may cost, and to own Religion in all companies; for thou mayst truly say what an honest man did (being occasionally in a Pirates Ship when twas searched, and the Pirates cried out, Woe be to us if we be known, (he said) Woe be to me if I be not known.

Thirdly, If thou wouldst exercise thy self to Godliness in evil company, Be sure thou dost not disown thy profession, and deny Iesus Christ. Though it behoveth thee to walk wisely, because sinners lye in wait to destroy thy life; yet be careful thou dost not walk wickedly, for sin lyeth in wait to destroy thy soul. It may consist with grace, not always openly to proclaim thy profession, yet i•s a graceless part at any time to deny it. Twas a blot to Nicodemus, that he was a Night-bird. If the honour of Christ be engaged, and by thy silence the Gospel will suffer, then not to publish what thou art, is a sin. The light of Religion ought not to be carried in a Dark Lanthorn, and to be shewn onely, when thy own interest will permit, and