The works of George Swinnock, M.A

The wise man tells us, the worth of a good name is above all wealth, Eccles. 7. 1. A good name is better then precious Ointment. What a great thief is he then, that robs his Neighbour of it! Our rash judging others, like the Rams-horns before Jericho, may blow down that with a blast, which we cannot build up again while we live. An ill report is soon raised, but not so soon laid; It usually like the Crocodile, groweth whilst it continueth. Our tears should be the grave to bury ⟨p. 281⟩our Neighbours failings in, and not our mouths a grave to bury their names in. That one act of Alexander, merits eternal memory, who having read a Letter with his favourite Hephestion, wherein his mother calumniated Antipater, he presently took his Signet from his finger, and oppressed Hephestions lips with it, conjuring him (as it were) to seal up his lips, and not once to open them, in revealing another's disgrace. Suppose the person I censure be really evil, yet my duty is to do what I can to amend, not to divulge his errors; But if he be good, I dishonour God by disgracing his Friend, and shall be sure to pay for it, either in tears or torment. How shall I be able to stand in that day, when men shall give an account of all their hard speeches? and what shall I answer, when God shall ask me as once he did Aaron and Miriam, Wast thou not afraid to speak against my Servant Moses?

The wise man tells us, the worth of a good name is above all wealth, Eccles. 7. 1. A good name is better then precious Oyntment. What a great theif is he then, that robs his Neighbour of it! Our rash judging others, like the Rams-horns before Iericho, may blow down that with a blast, which we cannot build up again while we live. An ill report is soon raised, but not so soon laid; It usually like the Crocodile, groweth whilst it continueth. Our tears should be the grave to bury ⟨p. 281⟩our Neighbours failings in, and not our mouths a grave to bury their names in. That one act of Alexander, merits eternal memory, who having read a Letter with his favourite Hephestion, wherein his mother calumniated Antipater, he presently took his Signet from his finger, and oppressed Hephestions lips with it, conjuring him (as it were) to seal up his lips, and not once to open them, in revealing anothers disgrace. Suppose the person I censure be really evil, yet my duty is to do what I can to amend, not to divulge his errors; But if he be good, I dishonour God by disgracing his Friend, and shall be sure to pay for it, either in tears or torment. How shall I be able to stand in that day, when men shall give an account of all their hard speeches? and what shall I answer, when God shall ask me as once he did Aaron and Miriam, Wast thou not afraid to speak against my Servant Moses?