The works of George Swinnock, M.A

Again, their miseries, and wants, and necessities, which are many, and great, and urgent, which I am wholly unable to relieve or remedy, call me to tears and weeping; Once more, their slips, and falls, and weaknesses and back-slidings which I must observe, and reprove, and bewail, are far from being occasions of joy or pleasure to me. They are at best, as we say of Children, certain cares, and uncertain comforts; Though they are roses, they have prickles, which offend, as well as their pleasant smell to refresh us; the truest friend I have, may occasion me ⟨p. 441⟩as much trouble as comfort. When I travail with a cheerful good Companion, I promise my self much delight in my journey, but anon he falls and wounds himself, or tires, or proves sick and unable to go further, and instead of going forward, I must stay to attend on him, and thus instead of being my help, he becomes my hinderance. Indeed I have the more cause to bear with it in another, not knowing how soon it may be my own case; but however these accidents which too often fall out, as they speak the benefit of it to one, so also the perplexity and trouble of it to another. If I converse with great or rich men, what disdainful looks do they give me? at what a distance do they behold me? Its hard to obtain the liberty of speaking to them; but if I would obtain their favour twill cost me more then it did the chief Captain for his Roman freedom; Unless I can gratify their lusts, I must not expect their love. If I can drink, and swear, and curse, and roar at their hellish rate (it may be) they will afford me a good word; but alas what man in his wits, would pay for their best words so dear a price? Their friendship can hardly be got without a breach with my God; and what wise man would lose the good will of the Lord for the gain of the whole world? When I have by many friends, and with much difficulty, and even danger to my soul procured their favour, how little am I the better for it! The most rotten tree is not so hollow; for as cunning wrestlers, they will get within me to give me a fall; the wind it self is not more wavering then they are; except I can be contented to be their foot-stool, that by their treading on me, they may be lifted higher in the world, I must expect to be quite cast by.

Again, their miseries, and wants, and necessities, which are many, and great, and urgent, which I am wholly unable to relieve or remedy, call me to tears and weeping; Once more, their slips, and falls, and weaknesses and back-slidings which I must observe, and reprove, and bewail, are far from being occasions of joy or pleasure to me. They are at best, as we say of Children, certain cares, and uncertain comforts; Though they are roses, they have prickles, which offend, as well as their pleasant smell to refresh us; the truest friend I have, may occasion me