The works of George Swinnock, M.A

I Wish that I may watch my self amongst the godly, ¹as well as amongst the wicked, lest Satan do me that injury by a friend, which he could not by an enemy; Davids familiar friend conspired his ruin; the Son of David was betrayed with a kiss from his friend; and though my charity to my friends, forbids me to think them as bad as either, ⟨p. 324⟩yet my charity to my self, commands me to stand upon my guard. Anglers for Fish, do frequently catch one fish with another, as the greater with the smaller. Sure I am, Satan is subtle enough to bait his hook with that which is most likely to take, and hath too often caught one Christian with another. The best friends are but men, and have flesh in them as well as Spirit; and what know I but the wicked one may tempt them to tempt me, as not ignorant of their prevalency over me! None was so likely to deceive the Prophet of the Lord, as the Old Prophet, that pretended a commission from the same power, and himself a Servant of the same Master. Who can so probably persuade me to a work of darkness, as he that is, or at least transforms himself into an Angel of light! Besides, I am apt to be the more careless, when I am amongst (them that I judge) true Christians. In a crowd, where Cheats usually resort, and execute their hellish Trade, I look to my money; but when I am amongst them whom I suppose to be honest, I think that care needless, and so may the easier be deceived. Lord, thou hast commanded me to keep my heart with all diligence; I acknowledge I have been too secure, when amongst thy Saints, as believing their work to be only to advance thine (not Satan's) interest, in the World. O give me to Consider that when the Sons of God gather together, Satan is also amongst them, and he is both politic and active to defile me, that he may destroy me; that I may even amongst them, watch and pray, and so not enter into temptation.

I Wish that I may watch my self amongst the godly, ¹as well as amongst the wicked, lest Satan do me that injury by a friend, which he could not by an enemy; Davids familiar fri•nd conspired his ruine; the Son of David was betrayed with a kiss from his friend; and though my charity to my friends, for•ids me to think them as bad as either,