The works of George Swinnock, M.A

³I Wish that I may be so far from speaking ill of them that are good, that I may rather be silent, then without a just cause and call speak ill of them that are evil. Though the wicked like Dogs, fall upon the Sheep of Christ with open mouth, and strive to bury their good names in the open Sepulchre of their wide throats; yet the Sheep of Christ do rather suffer their rage with patience, then render reviling for reviling. My God hath commanded me, to bless them that curse me, and to pray for them that despitefully use me; and how contrary am I to his Precept, if I pay them in their own coin, and open my mouth in backbiting them, because they are forward to slander me? It is enough for them that have not a God to undertake their cause, and revenge their quarrels, to do it themselves. If I be one of Christs members, he reckoneth all the wrongs offered to me, as done to himself, and he will one day vindicate his own honour and mine to the full, when the sinner shall answer for all his treasonable expressions, with Hell flames about his ears; The tongue that now is blistered with blasphemies against God and his people, at that day will be in a light flame, and beg in vain with Dives, for a little water to cool it. I may therefore ⟨p. 331⟩be quiet in all such cases, and commit my cause to him that judgeth righteously. He that is robbed, may not seek for reparation from the Country, if the Felon at the Assizes be Convicted and Executed. I need not fear but the Judge of the whole earth, will at the general Assize, do justice upon those Thieves that steal away my credit and good name, and so in the mean time may well be contented. He that is sure of double interest hereafter, may with the more comfort forbear his money at present. Besides, by declaring his faults, only to fill up a void space of time, I injure both him and my self, whether my report be true or false; if my report be false, I wrong him, by slandering and murdering his name undeservedly; and I wrong my self, by contracting the guilt of so great a sin: If the report be true, I walk contrary to Gods command, speak evil of no man, and so de•ile my own soul, and set him at a further distance from Religion, hardening his heart against any future reproof, as judging it to proceed from malice, and so I do what lieth in my power to destroy his soul.

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