The works of George Swinnock, M.A

²I Wish that I may to the utmost of my power, be serviceable to the souls of my fellow-members. The members of the natural body, are not idle or unprofitable, but give and receive nourishment for the increase of the whole body; They do not seek themselves, or their particular interests apart, but the good of the whole, and their own profit in relation thereunto; Nay, the eye watcheth for all the members, and helpeth to adorn them, and not it self; the hands work to maintain and cover the whole, remaining themselves naked; Why should it not be thus in my Saviours mystical body? My God hath given me and others, graces and gifts for that purpose, and commanded me, Occupy till I come; and should I suffer them to rust, for want of use, I should be found at last but an unprofitable servant. The several creatures, whether superior or inferior, do all instruct me by their patterns in this lesson of improving my talents, and forbid me to bury them in the grave of idleness. If I look up to the highest heavens, I may see with an eye of faith, those Sons of God, Angels, his diligent Servants and putting forth those abilities which they have received, both for the glory of their Creator, and the good of their fellow-creatures. Though they are the eldest house, and (compared with us) the first born of the creation, yet they do not as the eldest sons of some men, plead that privilege to patronage and cloak sloth and idleness; but as they have higher and more noble natures, so they are more active and industrious then others, as appears both by bearing their parts in the celestial quire, and in being ministering ⟨p. 333⟩spirits for the good of them that are heirs of salvation. If I look to the natural Heavens, there with an eye of sense I may see the great Candle, and Luminary of the World, not folding up those rays and cherishing virtues which he hath received, but communicating them freely for the warming and refreshing terrestrial bodies, though he gains nothing by it, but is many times requited with the darkening his glory by earthly vapours. If I look lower, I may observe the earth even wasting and wearing out her self to nourish and enrich others; She hath received a power of fructifying, and giving sap to that which groweth upon her, and lo like a tender Nurse, how liberally doth she give that milk to all that hang on her breasts, though it tend to her own weakening?

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