The works of George Swinnock, M.A

my enemies will speak their minds freely, if they know any thing amiss by me, and so do me a great kindness; Myrrh though bitter, may heal wounds, and preserve from putrefaction; so may the taunts and gibes of ungodly men, cure my inward sores, and make me watchful against future wandering. Twas a worthy speech of the Macedonian King Philip, when he was told that Nicanor spake evil of him, I believe he is honest, and I fear I have deserved it.

my en•mies will speak their minds freely, if they know any thing amiss by me, and so do me a great kindness; Myrrhe though bitter, may heal wounds, and preserve from putrefaction; so may the taunts and gibes of ungodly men, cure my inward sores, and make me watchful against future wandring. Twas a worthy speech of the Macedonian King Philip, when he was told that Nicanor spake evil of him, I believe he is honest, and I fear I have deserved it.

I may also be the better for wicked mens counsel as well as their carping, if I have but the wit to ⟨p. 225⟩follow it so far as it is good; Evil Joab gave good counsel to David, and had he desisted upon it from numbering the people, it might have saved the lives of some thousands; It is ordinary indeed to value the advice by the person, and thereby it becomes unprofitable; But is silk the less precious, because its spun by vile worms? Are Roses the less sweet, because they grow amongst briers and brambles? Silver and Gold are not the worse by being taken out of the lowest element, the Earth. That Wine may strengthen and refresh my nature, which is drawn out of a wooden or worm-eaten cask. O that I might take the counsel of the worst, in that which is good, and refuse the counsel of the best, in that which is evil! Lord, thou canst command that these stones of wicked men be made bread to nourish my soul; teach me by their falls to walk more humbly with thee, and to cleave more fast to thy Son, through whose strength alone I stand; Blessed be thy justice, which hath made them examples to me, and blessed be thy mercy, that hath not made me an example to them.