The works of George Swinnock, M.A

Indeed, some wounds are so great that this cannot be done, yet a good Chirurgeon will always endeavour it, and leave as little a scar as possibly he can. Pliny tells us of one Martia, who had the Child in the womb killed by lightning, and yet she her self was unhurt. Its excellent when a Boanerges can so cast forth lightning, as to kill sin in his conscience, and not hurt the sinner in his repute. To avoid this, it was ordained among the Lacedaemonians, that every transgressor should be his own corrector; for his punishment was to compass the Altar, singing an invective made against himself. Its a singular credit to the Christian, if he can open, and so heal mens ⟨p. 203⟩sores, as not to leave any brand upon their persons: We read that God appointed Snuff-dishes, as well as Snuffers, for the Lamps of the Tabernacle, and both to be of pure gold, Exod. 37. 23. The Snuffers noted, that those who check any fault in others, should be free themselves; The Snuff dishes noted, that those crimes which we reprove, we should forgive and remit. The R•bbies say, that those Snuff dishes were filled with Sand, to bury the Snuffs in; He who snuffs a Candle, and throws the snuff about the Room, gives offence to more by the ill savour he makes, then content by his care and diligence.

Indeed, some wounds are so great that this cannot be done, yet a good Chirurgion will always endeavour it, and leave as little a scar as possibly he can. Pliny tells us of one Martia, who had the Child in the womb kill'd by lightning, and yet she her self was unhurt. Its excellent when a Boanerges can so cast forth lightning, as to kill sin in his conscience, and not hurt the sinner in his repute. To avoid this, it was ordained among the Lacedemonians, that every transgressour should be his own corrector; for his punishment was to compass the Altar, finging an invective made against himself. Its a singular credit to the Christian, if he can open, and so heal mens ⟨p. 203⟩sores, as not to leave any brand upon their persons: We read that God appointed Snuff-dishes, as well as Snuffers, for the Lamps of the Tabernacle, and both to be of pure gold,