The works of George Swinnock, M.A

I Wish that I may unfeignedly bewail others wickedness, ⁶and lament that dishonour to my God, which I cannot hinder. Its an ill sign of my Sonship, for others to blaspheme the name of my father, and me to be insensible. Adoption is ever accompanied with filial affection. If I expect the privileges, I must ensure the properties of a Child. Nature will teach me to be troubled for affronts that are offered to the Father of my flesh, and will not grace enable me to be grieved at the dirt which wicked men throw in the •ace of the Father of Spirits. Again, I must not look for freedom from others sufferings, unle•• I lay to heart their sins. The mourners in Zion, are those that in a common calamity are marked for safety, Ezek. 9. The destroying Angel will take me to be as guilty as others, if it find me without grief, and so wrap me up in their punishments; my God himself, judgeth me infected with those sins, for which I am not afflicted; and can I then think to escape? O that my head were water, and mine eyes fountains of tears, that I might weep day and night, for the iniquity and misery of dying gasping sinners! Lord, thou canst fetch water out of this rocky heart, and open the sluices of my eyes; Break my heart, because others break thy Commands; When others kindle the fire of thine anger, help thy serv•nt ⟨p. 230⟩to draw water, and pour it out before thee. Let me be so far from seeing others provoke the eyes of thy glory without sorrow, that when ever I remember the transgressors I may be grieved, because they forsake thy statutes; Let rivers of tears run down mine eyes, when the wicked forsake thy Law.

I Wish that I may unfaignedly bewail others wickedness, ⁶and lament that dishonour to my God, which I cannot hinder. Its an ill sign of my Sonship, for others to blaspheme the name of my father, and me to be insensible. Adoption is ever accompanied with filial affection. If I expect the priviledges, I must ensure the properties of a Child. Nature will teach me to be troubled for affronts that are offered to the Father of my flesh, and will not grace enable me to be greived at the dirt which wicked men throw in the ace of the Father of Spirits. Again, I must not look for freedom from others sufferings, unle I lay to heart their sins. The mourners in Sion, are those that in a common calamity are markt for safety,