The works of George Swinnock, M.A

Private Christians ought to be serviceable to each other in these particulars.

1. In instructing the ignorant; Among Christians there are many who have but ignorant heads, though they have holy hearts; though for the time they have enjoyed the means, they might have been teachers of others, yet themselves had need to be taught the first principles of the oracles of God; Now the work of knowing men must be to instruct such; though they be dull and heavy, we should bear with them, and condescend to them. St. Austin said he would speak false latin if his bearers understood it better then true. By many blows we make a nail ⟨p. 281⟩enter into an hard board; by precept upon precept, and line upon line, we may beat truths into the heads of them that are very dull. Jobs friend tells him, Behold thou hast instructed many, Job 4. 3. In this sense Job was eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame; eyes to prevent their wandering in a wrong way, and feet to prevent their stumbling in the right way. David was no Priest yet he would teach others Gods precepts; When he had once tasted Gods love, others should taste some honey dropping from his lips; Then will I teach transgressors thy ways, and sinners shall be converted unto thee, Psal. 51. It is a noble Work for Christians that have abilities and understanding to take some pains to teach and instruct them that are ignorant. They cannot worship God as they ought because they are unacquainted with his Word and Will. How can a servant please his Master that doth not know his pleasure? They cannot do the good they should, because they know not their duty: They who are almost quite blind will do but little work. They are more open to temptation both from evil men and the evil one, because of their ignorance. Its as easy to give a child poison as wholesome milk, because it hath not wisdom to discern the difference: Its not hard to put the poison of error into their mouths, who are but babes in understanding. When the quick-sighted walk steadily, these dark-sighted persons walk stumblingly in the way of Gods commandments. O do what thou canst Reader to inform such poor creatures in the truths of God; for as the Eunuch said to Philip, How should they understand unless some one guide them? We count it worthy