The works of George Swinnock, M.A

1. The nature of his fall; he is overtaken with a fault, he doth not overtake the fault. He is rather passive of it, then active in it. A sinner like Ahab, sells himself to work wickedness in the sight of the Lord; but a brother, like Paul is sold under sin. Its proper to the wicked to be volunteers ⟨p. 286⟩in this unholy war against God. Saints fight not, except they be pressed. The Christian is drawn to iniquity by cords of vanity, the other draweth iniquity with cords of vanity.

1. The nature of his fall; he is overtaken with a fault, he doth not overtake the fault. He is rather passive of it, then active in it. A sinner like Ahab, sells himself to work wickedness in the sight of the Lord; but a brother, like Paul is sold under sin. Its proper to the wicked to be voluntiers ⟨p. 286⟩in this unholy war against God. Saints fight not, except they be prest. The Christian is drawn to iniquity by cords of vanity, the other draweth iniquity with cords of vanity.

2. The duty of his friend, restore such a one. Its [Greek or Hebrew], an allusion to Chirurgeons, who set bones out of joint, though they put their Patients to pain, and make them angry at present. So must Christians endeavour the jointing of their brethren, whose souls are out of order, though at present they have little thanks for their labour. This courtesy we owe to our brothers Ox or Ass, much more to his Soul, Exod. 22. 4. Its a strict command, warn the unruly, 1 Thes. 5. 14. though most men draw back, when they are called to this burden, that fallen brethren lie under the same misery that Travellers do, to find many Hosts, but few Friends, and may cry out, as Lewis the eleventh of France, I have plenty of all things, but such as will tell me my faults.