The works of George Swinnock, M.A

Good Wish about a Christians Carriage in Good Company, wherein the former heads are applied.

¹The Father of mercies, and only wise God, who hath appointed •he way in which I should walk, during the time of my Pilgrimage, and understandeth the multitudes of rubs and hinderances that I shall encounter with, the power and policy of those enemies which will beset me therein, as also how weak I am, and unable to hold out; how weary I shall soon be, and ready to give over if I should travail alone, having out of his boundless grace and goodness, called me to the communion of Saints, that I might be directed by their counsel, and encouraged by their company, notwithstanding all opposition, to run the ways of his commandments: I Wish that I may esteem his precept herein as my glorious privilege, improve their society to the greatest advantage, both for my own welfare, and my Gods honour and delight, to converse with those brethren here, with whom I hope to dwell in my Fathers house for ever; What an inestimable dignity doth my God invest me with, in imposing on me so sweet a duty! How wretchedly ungrateful should I be, if his paths should not be the more pleasant to me for such companions! The worth and riches of this society, may well invite me to trade with them, and give me hopes of profiting by them. All the companions on earth, of the highest Callings, are but a rabble of Kennel-rakers, to this noble society. The Prince of this Senate is the Heir of all things, the blessed and glorious Potentate; ⟨p. 311⟩such a Sovereign, whose dominion is universal, from Sea to Sea, whose Kingdom is eternal, throughout all Generations, and even the highest have gloried in being his Subjects. The Charter and Privileges of this Society, are the inestimable Covenant of Grace, exceeding great and precious Promises, wherein pardon of sin, peace of conscience, new natures, adoption, justification, the love of the blessed God and eternal life are granted to them, and entailed on them for ever. The Servants of this Corporation, are all the creatures, in their several places, striving which shall do them the greatest kindness; They are in league with the stones of the field; and the beasts of the field, (though never so ravenous by nature) are at peace with them; The glorious Angels pitch their Tents about them, and count it their honour to wait upon them, both living and dying.