The works of George Swinnock, M.A

I Wish that the injury I do my self by unnecessary solitariness, ²may make me the more in love with good society; My God hath told me, Woe to him that is alone; David was alone, when Satan drew him to defile his Neighbours Wife. Whilst the Sheep flock together, they are safe, as being under the Shepherds eye; but if one straggle from the rest, its quickly a prey to the ravenous Wolf; Its no hard matter to rob that house that stands far from Neighbours. The cruel Pirate Satan, watcheth for those Vessels that sail without a convoy. The order is observable in the narration of Demas his Apostasy, Demas hath left us, and hath embraced this present World. He first left the Company of the faithful, and then openly denied the faith. Christian ⟨p. 320⟩conference is a good help to perseverance; but they that forsake the communion of Saints, will quickly disown the profession of sanctity. If Rabbits keep within the Pales amongst their fellows, there is Law to secure them against the violence of strangers; but if any wander from the Warren, they are a lawful prize for any man, and prey to any Dog. What an ill case is he in, that travelling in a dark night falls, and hath none to help him up; that wanders, and hath none to show him the right way; that is set upon by Thieves and Murderers, and hath none near him, to defend and secure him! Such is the condition of those that neglect the communion of Saints. Hence it is that our great and sworn enemy raiseth the dust of dissension and strife amongst Christians, to make them keep aloof from each other, knowing that much of their welfare and safety doth depend upon their keeping together; He knoweth its best fishing in troubled waters. O my soul! Now thou beholdest in these wicked days the high winds of divisions and passions amongst the Children of God, how ready they are to Martyr one another's names, and its to be feared to Murder one another's bodies, if infinite power did not over-rule and prevent it, thou mayst gather assuredly that Satan was the Conjurer to raise them. I have read of a Tree, that if some of the boughs of it be cast into a Ship, they cause a mutiny betwixt the Passengers and Mariners, to the ruin of both.

I Wish that the injury I do my self by unnecessary solitariness, ²may make me the more in love with good society; My God hath told me, Wo to him that is alone; David was alone, when Satan drew him to defile his Neighbours Wife. Whilst the Sheep flock together, they are safe, as being under the Shepherds eye; but if one stragle from the rest, its quickly a prey to the ravenous Wolf; Its no hard matter to rob that house that stands far from Neighbours. The cruel Pyrate Satan, watcheth for those Vessels that sail without a convoy. The order is observable in the narration of Demas his Apostacy, Demas hath left us, and hath embraced this present World. He first left the Company of the faithful, and then openly denyed the faith. Christian