The works of George Swinnock, M.A

CHAP. I. How a Christian may exercise himself to Godliness in his Dealings with all men. As also a Good Wish about that Particular.

First, Thy duty is to make Religion thy business in thy Dealings with all men. True Godliness payeth its dues to men, as well as its duty to God, nay it cannot do the latter without the former; Upon these two poles all Religion turns, and upon these two feet it walketh. That Mans holiness is lame; which always keeps home and doth not walk abroad and visit his Neighbours. Its a sign of a sickly temper for a man to sit always brooding in a Chimney-Corner, and not to dare to stir out of doors. Sure I am, thy Religion is of a sad distempered constitution, whatsoever hopes it may give of healthiness in Family duties, if it goeth no farther, and doth not appear in the open air of thy converses with strangers. Religion bindeth the Christian to his good behaviour towards all men; True holiness will provide things honest, not only in the sight of God, but also in the sight of all men, 2 Cor. 8. 21. The Kings Coin hath his superscription without the ring, as well as his Image within it. The Saints civil as well as his spiritual actions have divine impression stamped on them, and he is walking with God in his trading with men. As thy heart must be pure, so thy hands must be clean, or thou canst never reach heaven, Psa. 24. 3, 4. Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? and who shall stand in his holy place? He ⟨p. 6⟩that hath clean hands, and a pure heart. To be void of conscience in thy civil actions, speaks thee to have no right to the beatifical vision; he that comes short of Heathens, must needs come short of Heaven. And truly to be careless in making Godliness thy business in them, will very much hinder thy progress in holiness; If all the passages of the body be not open, there is no thriving in health.