The works of George Swinnock, M.A

²I Wish that my tongue may never be so set on fire of Hell, as to speak evil of those that are the Heirs of Heaven. It were better for me to be sick and solitary in my bed, then to be censuring or reflecting upon the Lords Servants. The Devils themselves (though for their own ends) could sometimes speak of righteous ones with a seeming awe and reverence. These men are the Servants of the most High God, and show unto us the way of salvation; And shall I at any time, be worse then a Devil at some times! Such impotency in my tongue would be too great a sign of impurity in my heart. Those that have a blemish in their eyes, judge the Sky to be ever cloudy. Caligula, who was a Monster of obscenity and uncleanness, thought there was never a chaste person in the World. Tis usual with the wicked (measuring others by themselves) to judge all to be ungodly; They render others to be deformed, that their own faces might be esteemed the more fair. Or as the Lapwing, they hope by their false cries against the godly, to divert strangers from finding the nest of their own filthiness. They would have all good men thought to be evil, that themselves who are fullest of evil might be thought good; But though the seed of the Serpent spit their poison against the seed of the woman, should I do ⟨p. 327⟩so who am one of their brethren? How bad is that Bird that defileth its own nest? How foolish, as well as sinful, is that Child that disgraceth and defameth his own Family? If I speak evil of any of the Saints, I speak evil of my self, and of the Master whom they serve. Though Christ was not upon earth in Enochs days, yet he tells me that he will judge the slanderers of the Saints, as blasphemers of himself; Behold the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his Saints, to execute judgement upon all, and to convince them of their hard speeches, which ungodly sinners have spoken against him, Jude, vers. 15. It is Satan's title, to be the accuser of the Brethren; and my God calleth such men as are guilty of it, by no better name then Devils, 2 Tim. 3. 3. Tit. 3. 2. Would I be willing to resemble the Prince of darkness, or can I do it and escape punishment! O tis dangerous to abuse the King of Heavens Favourites;