The works of George Swinnock, M.A

When David was like to be slain, Abishai came and rescued him; good company hath prevented the Christians falling from Christ. Peter confessed Christ among the holy Apostles, though he denied him among the ungodly Servants of the High Priest. If one prevail against a man, two shall withstand him, and a threefold cord is not easily broken, Eccles. 4. 12. Two streams united into one channel, may bear up a Vessel of some burden. Junius being much tempted to Atheism, profest himself very much helped against it, by discoursing with a plain Countryman near Florence.

When David was like to be slain, Abishai came and rescued him; good company hath prevented the Christians falling from Christ. Peter confest Christ among the holy Apostles, though he denyed him among the ungodly Servants of the High Priest. If one prevail against a man, two shall withstand him, and a threefold cord is not easily broken, Eccles. 4. 12. Two streams united into one channel, may bear up a Vessel of some burthen. Iunius being much tempted to Atheism, profest himself very much helpt against it, by discoursing with a plain Countryman near Florence.

Naturally, saith Chrysostom, A man hath but one head to advise him, one tongue to speak for him, two hands to work, two feet to walk, and two eyes to see for him. Now, saith he, had a man that skill and cunning, to make that one head many, and that one tongue many, and so his eyes, and feet, and hands many, he would hardly be circumvented by any carnal policy. Good Company doth this, it makes that one head many, that one tongue many, those two hands, ⟨p. 250⟩eyes, feet, many; for Saints study for others good as well as their own; their eyes, their tongues, their hands and feet are always employed for the benefit of their companions. Now in many Counsellors there is much safety. He that hath many eyes to watch for him, is likeliest to be kept from falling. No Vessels are in such hope of security, and to be defended from Pirates, as those that sail with so strong a Convoy. As God hath set conscience to watch over the inner man, and by reason of that help we avoid much unholiness; so God hath set Christians to watch over one another's outward man; and truly, these eyes being over us, may prevent the commission of much evil.