The works of George Swinnock, M.A

Thus a Christian may consider the works of God either collectively or severally, both in their insides and outsides, to his marvellous advantage. As the Rabbis say of the Word, I may say of the Works of God, Turn it over, and over, and over again, for all is in it; Turn them over, and over, and over again, for all is in them. There is wisdom in them, in their variety, diversity of natures, subordination and serviceableness each to other; O Lord, how marvellous are thy works? in wisdom hast thou made them all. There is Power in bringing with a breath the whole Creation out of the barren womb of nothing; He spake and it was done, he commanded and it stood fast. There is Mercy in providing so bountifully for every of his creatures, The whole earth is full of thy goodness. There is Faithfulness in upholding all things in their being; Thy faithfulness is unto all generations, thou hast established the earth, and it abideth; yea mercy and truth meet together. Thy mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens; and thy truth reacheth unto the clouds. Every of Gods works is so profitable, that as the Aromatic fruit, not only ⟨p. 383⟩the kernel is a Nutmeg, but the skin of it is Mace. As in a fair suit of Arras, though the hangings never appear to their full advantage, but when they are opened in all their dimensions, and seen together; yet a small shred may assure you of the excellency of the colours, and richness of the stuff; So though the Divine Perfections would appear most in their beauty and glory, if we were able at one view to behold the whole world in its several eminences and beauties, yet a little part of it may speak the worth and richness of the whole. It was an honest speech of a Monk, who being asked how he could endure that life without the pleasure of books? answered, The nature of the creatures is my library, wherein when I please I can muse upon Gods deep Oracles. The Egyptians were instructed by Characters and Hieroglyphics; by something presented to the eye, notions were represented to the understanding.

Thus a Christian may consider the works of God either collectively or severally, both in their insides and outsides, to his marvellous advantage. As the Rabbies say of the Word, I may say of the Works of God, Turn it over, and over, and over again, for all is in it; Turn them over, and over, and over again, for all is in them. There is wisdom in them, in their variety, diversity of natures, subordination and serviceableness each to other; O Lord, how marvellous are thy works? in wisdom hast thou made them all. There is Power in bringing with a breath the whole Creation out of the barren womb of nothing; He spake and it was done, he commanded and it stood fast. There is Mercy in providing so bountifully for every of his creatures, The whole earth is full of thy goodness. There is Faithfulness in upholding all things in their being; Thy faithfulness is unto all generations, thou hast established the earth, and it abideth; yea mercy and truth meet together. Thy mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens; and thy truth reacheth unto the clouds. Every of Gods works is so profitable, that as the Aromatick fruit, not onely