The works of George Swinnock, M.A

SECT. VI.

Thirdly,³ Christians ought in good Company, not only to do what good they can to each other, but also to receive what good they may from each other; God sets up such candles, not for us to play, but to work by. The strongest Christian may gain by the weakest; A small brimstone match, may help to light a great Torch; A servant may sometimes think of a way to enlarge his imprisoned Master, when his Master dreams not of it. Every loop or pin was helpful to the Tabernacle; An homely digger that is poor, doth sometimes discover rich Mines, which wealthy Merchants took no ⟨p. 300⟩notice of. Apollo, one mighty in the Scriptures, is content to learn of an Handy-craft man; Cordials are not to be refused, because brought to us in a wooden spoon. Who ever sent away silver or gold, because brought to him in a bag of Leather? The Moon though she be but small, and seated in a lower Orb then the stars of the first magnitude, and though she hath her spots and imperfections, yet she lends an useful light to men, prevents their stumbling and wandering out of their way, and produceth here and there a motion subordinate and obedient to an heavenly influence; when those luminaries that are above her in place, are below her in use and service: Proud men disdain to take poor Saints advice, as if wisdom had forsaken all commerce with inferior persons, and taken up her abode only in stately Palaces. ²Upon this score Darius (instead of the thanks which he owed) payed Charidemus with no less then death for his good counsel; But its the folly as well as the arrogancy of some, rather to ascend to a dangerous height, then descend at the call of one below them;³ O how mad is he that will rather run on in hazardous paths to his ruin, then turn back and retreat at the desire of one that is his inferior! And such proud Christians have this usually for their reward of God, that when the humble that will stoop to take up jewels at the feet of the meanest are enriched, they get nothing by godly conference. We give no relief to them that go gorgeously attired, and brag of their own large revenues.