The works of George Swinnock, M.A

Reader, what love dost thou show to thy Neighbour, if thou seest him wounding and piercing his inestimable soul, and thou dost not endeavour (though against his will,) to hold his hand? If thou shouldst see him take a Knife to stab himself at the heart, thou wouldst not stay to ask his leave, or fear his anger, but do thy utmost to hinder him; and canst thou see him destroying his soul, and not seek to prevent him? That pity without question is the best, which relateth to the better part. There was a barbarous Law among the Lacedaemonians, ¹That no man should tell his Neighbour any ill news that befell him, but every one should be left in process of time to find it out himself. Alas, what will become of poor sinners, if none should tell them what they are doing, whither they are going, till they come to find it in the place of torments! Were love burning in our hearts (as fire was in the Temple) or were our faces towards one another (like those Cherubims which covered the Mercy Seat with their wings) we should not only, not lie in sin our selves, but also endeavour that others should not die in their sins; That person who refused to smite his Neighbour, when commanded in the name of the Lord, was slain by a Lion, 1 King. 20. 35. If we refuse to smite sin, Gods wrath will smite us.

Reader, what love dost thou show to thy Neighbour, if thou seest him wounding and piercing his inestimable soul, and thou dost not endeavour (though against his will,) to hold his hand? If thou shouldst see him take a Knife to stab himself at the heart, thou wouldst not stay to ask his leave, or fear his anger, but do thy utmost to hinder him; and canst thou see him destroying his soul, and not seek to prevent him? That pity without question is the best, which relateth to the better part. There was a barbarous Law among the Lacedemonians, ¹That no man should tell his Neighbour any ill news that befel him, but every one should be left in process of time to find it out himself. Alas, what will become of poor sinners, if none should tell them what they are doing, whither they are going, till they come to find it in the place of torments! Were love burning in our hearts (as fire was in the Temple) or were our faces towards one another (like those Cherubims which covered the Mercy Seat with their wings) we should not onely, not lie in sin our selves, but also endeavour that others should not die in their sins; That person who refused to smite his Neighbour, when commanded in the name of the Lord, was slain by a Lion,