The works of George Swinnock, M.A

Reader, I beseech thee, both for thy own sake, and the Gospels, to be tender of the repute and credit of Saints; A good mans name, is like a Milk white Ball, which exceedingly gathers soil ⟨p. 280⟩by tossing, and therefore is to be sparingly talked of; Words reported again, have another sound, and many times another sense; Besides, one Dog sets many others a barking. Talk of his failings as low as thou wilt, the world is quick of hearing, and they take the size of all Christians clothes, by the measure of the weakest; Thy charity should clap a Plaster, supposing there be a real wound, and cover it with the hand of privacy, to keep it from the open air. The Egyptian who carried something wound up in a Napkin, answered discreetly to him that asked, What it was? It is covered, to the end that no man might see; Truly, if we know of others failings and infirmities, we should hide them with the mantle of love, and not show them to any, but in relation to the offenders good and recovery; for why should a fallen brother have cause to complain, I am wounded in the house of my friends, had it been an enemy I could have born it, but it was thou O man, my friend, mine equal, and my acquaintance! Apelles drew Antigonus, who had but one eye, half-faced, whereby that blemish was hid, so should Christians their brethren.

Reader, I beseech thee, both for thy own sake, and the Gospels, to be tender of the repute and credit of Saints; A good mans name, is like a Milk white Ball, which exceedingly gathers soil ⟨p. 280⟩by tossing, and therefore is to be sparingly talked of; Words reported again, have another sound, and many times another sense; Besides, one Dog sets many others a barking. Talk of his failings as low as thou wilt, the world is quick of hearing, and they take the size of all Christians cloaths, by the measure of the weakest; Thy charity should clap a Plaister, supposing there be a real wound, and cover it with the hand of privacy, to keep it from the open air. The Egyptian who carried something wound up in a Napkin, answered discreetly to him that asked, What it was? It is covered, to the end that no man might see; Truly, if we know of others failings and infirmities, we should hide them with the mantle of love, and not shew them to any, but in relation to the offendors good and recovery; for why should a fallen brother have cause to complain, I am wounded in the house of my friends, had it been an enemy I could have born it, but it was thou O man, my friend, mine equal, and my acquaintance! Apelles drew Antigonus, who had but one eye, half-faced, whereby that blemish was hid, so should Christians their brethren.