The works of George Swinnock, M.A

There is a woe to him that is alone, such a man shall be sure to have Satan for his companion. He is ever ready to assault, when none is near to assist. Eve was tempted with too much success when she was alone, without her Husband; Dinah gadding from her fathers house, was defiled; Joseph was then assaulted, when the whole Family was gone, save the instrument of the assault; How soon are stragglers snapped up, when those that march with the body of the Army are safe! Pirates lye skulking to find a Vessel sailing alone, when those that sail in company are a convoy to each other; They who separate, are soon seduced. The Cormorant, or Sea-Eagle hath this property, that she will not seize upon the fish in the water, when they are in shoals, but when single she makes them her prey. Solitude is not more hurtful to the body then to the soul, and to nature then to grace. When David was an exile from the society of the Israelites, and wandered abroad, he fell into diffidence and distrust, nay, into hard and blasphemous thoughts of God; as if he had forgotten to be gracious, as if he himself had cleansed his heart in vain; He then said, in his haste, that all men (even Samuel who had anointed him to the Kingdom, and promised him from God, that he should be King) were liars.

There is a wo to him that is alone, such a man shall be sure to have Satan for his companion. He is ever ready to assault, when none is neer to assist. Eve was tempted with too much success when she was alone, without her Husband; Dinah gadding from her fathers house, was defiled; Ioseph was then assaulted, when the whole Family was gone, save the instrument of the assault; How soon are straglers snapt up, when those that march with the body of the Army are safe! Pyrates lye skulking to find a Vessel sailing alone, when those that sail in company are a convoy to each other; They who separate, are soon seduced. The Cormorant, or Sea-Eagle hath this property, that she will not seise upon the fish in the water, when they are in sholes, but when single she makes them her prey. Solitude is not more hurtful to the body then to the soul, and to nature then to grace. When David was an exile from the society of the Israelites, and wandred abroad, he fell into diffidence and distrust, nay, into hard and blasphemous thoughts of God; as if he had forgotten to be gracious, as if he himself had cleansed his heart in vain; He then said, in his haste, that all men (even Samuel who had anointed him to the Kingdom, and promised him from God, that he should be King) were lyars.