The works of George Swinnock, M.A

I Wish that I may esteem solitude,¹ when my God calls me to it, a gracious opportunity, for more united and intimate converses with his Majesty. How often hath the company of men distracted my spirit, and hindered me from having my conversation in Heaven! Their mi•apprehensins, and carnal interests, and predominant passions do frequently bring such prejudice to their associates, that none would be over fond of their honey, who hath once felt their stings. If I converse with wicked men, I hear their Oaths, and Blasphemies, and Ribaldry, their Mocks, and Taunts, and Jeers, against God and his people; I see their intemperance and profaneness, and injustice, and oppression, and persecution of them that fear the Lord; I can read in their wicked language, and cursed carriage, their bitterness, and rage, and emnity against their Maker and Redeemer; I may behold the body of Christ wounded, and his precious blood trampled on, the law, and love, and worship, and honour, of the blessed God, scorned and despised, and such vileness and wickedness committed in an hour, as shall be bewailed and lamented for ever. Such sights as these call for my ⟨p. 440⟩deepest sorrow, and the best that I can get by such company, is inward trouble, and abundant grief; but its many to one if they do not make me either directly or indirectly to contract real guilt. O what pleasure can I take to be in a room filled with smoke, which will certainly wring tears from mine eyes, and probably smut and defile me; If I converse with good men, though their company in many respects be desirable, and I have found it to be profitable, and I would prize them whom God esteemeth, and love them that have his beautiful Image, and with whom I must live for ever; yet how many things are in them to allay the virtue and benefit of their society! Their peevishness, and passion, and pride, and selfishness which are still too much in them; the difference of their judgements, and dispositions, causeth their company to be far the l•ss eligible and lovely; Besides, their readiness and activeness to propagate their errors, and their power and prevalency to draw others to join with them in their wanderings from the truth, doth not a little abate of that comfort and delight, which I might have in them;

I Wish that I may esteem solitude,