The works of George Swinnock, M.A

Thy Redeemer calls them the light of the world, and they will guide thee in the way which he hath cast up; The salt of the earth, and they will preserve thee from corruption; Their conversations are living Commentaries upon that word which is thy rule, and so will both plainly teach thee thy duty, and powerfully ⟨p. 314⟩provoke thee to do it. Their expressions will by savoury, and help thee to learn the language of Canaan. The tongue of the just is a tree of life, and beareth excellent fruit. The lips of the righteous feed many; Besides, amongst these Children, thou mayst be sure to meet with the everlasting Father. Where two or three are gathered together in my name, I will be in the midst of them. Though but two or three, that the wicked despise them for their paucity though two or three; never so low and mean, that the world scorns them for their poverty; yet if gathered together in his name, they shall not fail of his presence; Surely nothing will prevail more with a faithful Spouse, to join with any company, then this, She shall meet with her beloved Husband amongst them. O, of what great price is this one promise, I will be in the midst of them! His presence like the nearer approaches of the Sun in the Spring, will refresh their hearts with the warm beams of his love, when they are chill, and almost dead with the cold of frights and fears, and cause in their souls a new shooting of grace, that notwithstanding any foregoing winter of barrenness, they shall now abound in the fruits of righteousness. What can they, or thou, O my soul, want, which his presence will not supply? Art thou laden with sin? he can give thee rest; art thou full of sorrows? he is the consolation of Israel; art thou poor in grace? with him is durable riches and righteousness; art thou dull and dead in spirituals? he is the Lord of life, and can quicken thee; He hath power enough to subdue all thy lusts, he hath wisdom enough to resolve all thy doubts, he ⟨p. 315⟩hath grace enough to pity all thy weaknesses, and mercy enough to pardon all thy unworthiness; He is able to save to the uttermost; Nay, thou hast not only his Promise to meet thee in his Garden, amongst his people, but thou hast also his Performance of it, for thine encouragement;

Thy Redeemer calls them the light of the world, and they will guide thee in the way which he hath cast up; The salt of the earth, and they will preserve thee from corruption; Their conversations are living Commentaries upon that word which is thy rule, and so will both plainly teach thee thy duty, and powerfully