The works of George Swinnock, M.A

Dost thou not think that Satan hath cast some such branches into the Vessel of the Church at this day, that instead of uniting their strength against him and his Kingdom, and instead of joining ⟨p. 321⟩their power to improve every gale for their furtherance towards their blissful Haven, they might fall together by the ears, destroy one another, and save their enemies a labour! O that for the divisions of Zion I could have great searchings, great sorrows of heart! Lord, thy Saints in the Primitive times, were famous for their love to each other. Their very enemies would with admiration cry out; See how the Christians love one another! Thy Jerusalem heretofore was a City compact together, at unity within it self; Why is it now divided, and the walls broken down, and the inhabitants all in all in an uproar, that all that go by waste it, and laugh at it, saying, Is this the beautiful City! Is this the Church of Christ! Aha! so would we have it. O look down from Heaven and pity mount Zion, where thou wast wont to dwell. Should thy children fall out by the way, to the gratifying thine enemies, dishonouring thy name, and wounding their own souls? Should the members of the same body, cut, and lance, and tear each other? Though Dogs and Wolves, the wicked of the world, tear out one another's bowels, yet the Sheep of Christ should live together in love. How long shall it be, before thou biddest (with a word of power) thy people return from pursuing their brethren? Shall the Sword devour for ever? Thou knowest it will be bitterness in the end. For thy names sake unite the hearts of all thy chosen, not only by faith to thy dear Son, but also by unfeigned and forbearing love, each to other.

Dost thou not think that Satan hath cast some such branches into the Vessel of the Church at this day, that instead of uniting their strength against him and his Kingdom, and instead of joyning ⟨p. 321⟩their power to improve every gale for their furtherance towards their blissful Haven, they might fall together by the ears, destroy one another, and save their enemies a labour! O that for the divisions of Sion I could have great searchings, great sorrows of heart! Lord, thy Saints in the Primitive times, were famous for their love to each other. Their very enemies would with admiration cry out; See how the Christians love one another! Thy Jerusalem heretofore was a City compact together, at unity within it self; Why is it now divided, and the walls broken down, and the inhabitants all in all in an uprore, that all that go by waste it, and laugh at it, saying, Is this the beautiful City! Is this the Church of Christ! Aha! so would we have it. O look down from Heaven and pity mount Sion, where thou wast wont to dwell. Should thy children fall out by the way, to the gratifying thine enemies, dishonouring thy name, and wounding their own souls? Should the members of the same body, cut, and lance, and tear each other? Though Dogs and Wolves, the wicked of the world, tear out one anothers bowels, yet the Sheep of Christ should live together in love. How long shall it be, before thou biddest (with a word of power) thy people return from pursuing their brethren? Shall the Sword devour for ever? Thou knowest it will be bitterness in the end. For thy names sake unite the hearts of all thy chosen, not onely by faith to thy dear Son, but also by unfaigned and forbearing love, each to other.