The works of George Swinnock, M.A

I Wish that when the condition of the sick person is found out,² neither fear nor flattery may make me unfaithful to his soul. Those prescriptions cannot be profitable, that are not answerable to his estate. I am unfaithful to God, my Neighbour, and my self, if my Application be not suitable to his condition. My God commandeth me to proclaim War against the presumptuous, to preach Peace to the penitent; and if I act otherwise out of fear, or affection, I act contrary to my commission; I am false to my trust, if I keep not close to the will of my Lord. He that takes not his Masters Precepts for his rule, will at last be counted and punished as an unfaithful servant. I hinder also my Neighbours good, whilst I give him counsel unsuitable to his case. I may pretend love and respect, but its real hatred to flatter him who is hastening to the unquenchable fire. How dreadful will his fall be, from the high Turret of presumption, into the infernal pit of perdition, and how little thanks ⟨p. 598⟩will he give me in the other world, for cozening his soul, by telling him all was well, till he came to see his own and my mistake in hell! Again, the guilt of such a crime would make a deep gash in my own conscience. Its ill slighting, or tampering with inestimable souls; His blood will be required at my hands; and if the blood of a slain body cry so loud for vengeance, what will the blood of a murdered soul do? Why should I to humour any mans lust, injure his soul, hinder my own peace, and incur the anger of the Lord. O that no foolish pretences whatsoever, may keep me off from acquainting sinners with th• •••il and end, the nature and danger of their sins. Its Gods order, first to cast the soul down, and then to lift it up. The ground must feel the Plough, before it receive the Seed. Sorrow must precede comfort, and they must sow in tears, who would reap in joy. God must shake all Nations, before the desired of all Nations will come to him. We come to Sinai, the Mount that burneth with fire, and to blackness and darkness, and a tempest which makes even a Moses to fear and quake exceedingly, before we come to Mount Zion, the City of the living God, the Heavenly Jerusalem, and to Jesus the Mediator of the new Covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things then the blood of Abel. The Law is a School-Master to drive us to Christ.