The works of George Swinnock, M.A

I Wish that I may Confess Christ, whatsoever it may cost me, ³and though not thrust my self into danger, yet never betray my cause, or break through any Command, to avoid the cruellest death. Its common with the Hypocrite, as the Snail, to look what weather is abroad, and if that be stormy, to pull in his horns and hide his head. The Hedgehog alters his hole according to the wind; The swallow changeth his nest according to the season. The Bird Piralis takes the colour of any cloth on which she sits. There is a Tree (say some Naturalists) which opens and spreads its leaves when any come to it, and shuts them at their departure from it. The flies will abound in a sunshiny day, but if once it be ⟨p. 220⟩cloudy, they vanish. When Christ rides to Jerusalem in triumph, many cry Hosanna, who when he is taken and tried for his life, cry Crucify, Crucify. The Jacinth is changed with the Air; in a clear season its bright, but if the air be overcast, its darksome. The unsound Christian is often suitable to his Company; if they own godliness, it shall have his good word; if they disrelish it, he can spit in the face of it; But pure Coral keeps its native lustre, and will receive no colouring. The upright soul is constant in his profession, and changeth not his behaviour according to his Companions. Oh that I might never through shame or fear, disown him who hath already acknowledged me. Alas! I have that in me, which he might well count a disgrace to him; I am his creature, and so infinitely his Inferior; The vilest beggar is not near so much below the most potent Emperor, as I am in this respect to the Great God, and my Saviour; The whole Creation is to him as nothing; yea less then nothing, and vanity; what then am I poor silly worm, that lie grovelling in this earth! I am a sinner, and thereby his disparagement and dishonour; If a sober Master be ashamed of a deboice drunken servant; much more may the holy Jesus, be ashamed of me an unholy wretch, and traitorous rebel, against his Crown and Dignity; yet for all this distance, for all his difference, he is graciously pleased to acknowledge me, and shall not I own him?

I Wish that I may Confess Christ, whatsoever it may cost me, ³and though not thrust my self into danger, yet never betray my cause, or break through any Command, to avoid the cruelest death. Its common with the Hypocrite, as the Snail, to look what weather is abroad, and if that be stormy, to pull in his horns and hide his head. The Hedghog alters his hole according to the wind; The swallow changeth his nest according to the season. The Bird Piralis takes the colour of any cloth on which she sits. There is a Tree (say some Naturalists) which opens and spreads its leaves when any come to it, and shuts them at their departure from it. The flies will abound in a sunshiny day, but if once it be