The works of George Swinnock, M.A

To prevent this, Reader, Offer some serious discourse, either by way of Position or Question. Thy profit by good company, doth very much depend upon thy self. Thy Question or Position is the fire which draweth out, either the quintessence or dregs of things. It may be there is one in thy company rich in grace, in gifts; these are the treasure ⟨p. 265⟩of the soul, but if ever thou wouldst be the better for it, thou must open it by the Key of some savoury question or sentence. An ordinary person by some practical question, may lay the foundation for a goodly fabric of rich and excellent discourse. A little water poured into a Pump may fetch up many Buckets full. A small Lackey may call us to a costly Banquet.

To prevent this, Reader, Offer some serious discourse, either by way of Position or Question. Thy profit by good company, doth very much depend upon thy self. Thy Question or Position is the fire which draweth out, either the quintessence or dregs of things. It may be there is one in thy company rich in grace, in gifts; these are the treasure ⟨p. 265⟩of the soul, but if ever thou wouldst be the better for it, thou must open it by the Key of some savoury question or sentence. An ordinary person by some practical question, may lay the foundation for a goodly fabrick of rich and excellent discourse. A little water poured into a Pump may fetch up many Buckets full. A small Lacquey may call us to a costly Banquet.

Ferus on Matthew affirmeth, that it was the practice of the Monks, to meet together once in a week, and to acquaint each other with their temptations, the means of resistance, and the issue thereof; I believe, if Christians were more open-hearted, in declaring to one another the state of their souls, their experiences in point of loss or gain in spirituals, and sense of Gods favour or anger, &c. it would much tend, not only to the honour of God, but also to the defeating of our great enemy, and our own mutual advantage. Satan hath many wiles where-with to wrong and destroy souls; he proceedeth many times in the same method with several Christians; now when one acquainteth another with the snares he laid to catch him, and the way he took to avoid it, hereby the other is fore-warned and fore-armed; fore-warned to expect that such a trap should be laid for him, and fore-armed how to avoid it. An Almanac, Calculated for London, without any sensible error, may serve the whole Kingdom. That which hath been one Saints condition or temptation, may be any Saints; and that way which one hath taken to escape a peril, or improve a providence, may be useful and helpful to any of the Saints.