The works of George Swinnock, M.A

Try a little what wholesome cordial water thou canst distil out of these herbs and flowers that grow in this earthly Eden, by the fire of meditation; Ask now the Beasts, and they shall teach thee: and the Fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee; or, speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee; or the Fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee; Who knoweth not in all these, that the hand of the Lord hath wrought this! Job 12.7,8,9. Thou needst not judge the attributes and excellencies of God, or the work he requireth of thee, so mysterious• that none but men of extraordinary parts can reach or teach them. Though the longest line of created understanding cannot fathom his bottomless perfections, & though his commandments ⟨p. 453⟩be exceeding broad, yet the meanest creatures do after a sort teach thee his wisdom and power, and thy duty and carriage; Ask now the Beasts, and they shall teach thee; As brutish as they are, they may instruct thee in many rare lessons. They will teach thee, 1. Gratitude and thankfulness to thy Maker and preserver; The Ox knoweth his owner, and the Ass his masters crib, but Israel doth not know, Isa. 1.2. If the dullest of Beasts, the Ox and Ass acknowledge their Master, how shouldst thou thy benefactor? 2. Dependence on the Fountain of thy being; If they depend on him for provision, wilt not thou? Jezreel crieth to the Corn, Wine and Oil to nourish her; these cry to the earth, the earth crieth to the heavens, the heavens cry to God, upon whom they depend, Hos. 2. 19. The eyes of all wait upon thee, and thou satisfiest the desire of every living thing; He giveth to the beasts their food, and to the young ravens that cry, Psalm 145. 15. and 147. 9. If the great House keeper of the world be so careful to fodder his Cattle, surely, thou mayst believe that he will not starve his children. 3. The dread and awe of thy God; When the Lyon roareth, all the Beasts of the Forrest tremble. What fear should possess thee, when thy God is incensed, and uttereth his terrible voice in his threatenings! Thy flesh may well tremble for fear of him, and thou hast good cause to be afraid of his righteous judgements. 4. Providence and Diligence in thy place and calling; Go to the Pismire thou sluggard, consider her ways and be wise; she provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest,