The works of George Swinnock, M.A

It may well break the strings of my tongue (as of the Son of Cyrus) when sin (like the Persian) is ready to kill my Father, or Brother, or Neighbour; Evil men are like Traitors, with whom if we act, or conceal, we are guilty. Where is my love to my self, if I take others intolerable burdens on my own back? Sin is a load, too heavy for the stoutest, for the strongest to carry. Should I by my silence give consent to others Oaths, or Lies, or Jeers at godliness and godly men; I become a party in their bonds, and liable to make satisfaction for their debts, and may expect every moment when divine justice should Arrest me for them. O my soul! what answer dost thou give to these Arguments? Wouldst thou for all the World be one moment under the guilt of the least sin! Didst thou never feel its weight, and water thy couch with tears by reason of it? Hast thou not sighed out mournfully to God, There is no rest in my flesh, because of thine anger, nor quiet in my bones, because of my sin? And wilt thou for fear of mens displeasure, incur the infinite Gods anger? and to avoid (at most) a raze in thy flesh, admit a wide gash in thy conscience? O that ⟨p. 216⟩I might have more love to my self, and more respect for my neighbour, then to suffer sin upon him, through my cowardly silence, or to join with him by any inward compliance, lest both be involved in the same vengeance. Lord, the supplies of thy Spirit is the only preservative against all infections; be pleased to afford it to me, that I may keep my self pure in the most profane society, and no way be partaker of other mens sin.

It may well break the strings of my tongue (as of the Son of Cyrus) when sin (like the Persian) is ready to kill my Father, or Brother, or Neighbour; Evil men are like Traytours, with whom if we act, or conceal, we are guilty. Where is my love to my self, if I take others intolerable burthens on my own back? Sin is a load, too heavy for the stoutest, for the strongest to carry. Should I by my silence give consent to others Oaths, or Lyes, or Ieers at godliness and godly men; I become a party in their bonds, and liable to make satisfaction for their debts, and may expect every moment when divine justice should Arrest me for them. O my soul! what answer dost thou give to these Arguments? Wouldst thou for all the World be one moment under the guilt of the least sin! Didst thou never feel its weight, and water thy couch with tears by reason of it? Hast thou not sighed out mournfully to God, There is no rest in my flesh, because of thine anger, nor quiet in my bones, because of my sin? And wilt thou for fear of mens displeasure, incur the infinite Gods anger? and to avoid (at most) a raze in thy flesh, admit a wide gash in thy conscience? O that