The works of George Swinnock, M.A

How much are we in the dark about the ways, and Word, and Truths of God! and how apt through mistakes to stumble and fall, calling evil good, and good evil! and do we not want their company who carry a light, a lantern with them? How often do we flatter our selves that we are rich in grace, and in the favour of God, when its little so, looking on our selves through the false spectacles of self-love? and doth it not behove us to be much in their society who will set before us a true looking-glass, wherein we may behold the native countenance of our souls without any fraud or falsehood? We are full of doubts, and want counsel; and Physicians that are able themselves, will in their own cases ask advice of others. We are liable to many sorrows, and want comfort; and who can give it us better then those who fetch all their cordial waters out of Scripture? We are apt to slumber and nod, and neglect our spiritual watch; the flesh is drowsy, and the cares of the world fume up into our heads, and incline us to sleep; what then will become of us if we have none to jog and awaken us? It will go but ill with the new man, if whilst he hath so many enemies to hurt him, he hath never a friend to help him; Exhort one another daily, lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin, Heb. 3. 13.

How much are we in the dark about the ways, and Word, and Truths of God! and how apt through mistakes to stumble and fall, calling evil good, and good evill! and do we not want their company who carry a light, a lanthorn with them? How often do we flatter our selves that we are rich in grace, and in the favour of God, when its little so, looking on our selves through the false spectacles of self-love? and doth it not behove us to be much in their society who will set before us a true looking-glass, wherein we may behold the native countenance of our souls without any fraud or falshood? We are full of doubts, and want counsel; and Physitians that are able themselves, will in their own cases ask advice of others. We are liable to many sorrows, and want comfort; and who can give it us better then those who fetch all their cordial waters out of Scripture? We are apt to slumber and nod, and neglect our spiritual watch; the flesh is drowsie, and the cares of the world fume up into our heads, and incline us to sleep; what then will become of us if we have none to jog and awaken us? It will go but ill with the new man, if whilst he hath so many enemies to hurt him, he hath never a friend to help him; Exhort one another daily, lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin,