A Complete Christian Dictionary, Dictionary · Part SW
S W.
Swadle]
Those that I have swadled, Lam. 2. 22. or swathed; so rather then as some, which I carryed in my hands. It seemeth to comprehend all those offices that Mothers or Nurses exercise about their children, for the managing of their limbs, and keeping of them in their due proportion and posture, during the time of their tender infancy. Annot.
Swadling-band]
Is the girdle wherewith the clothes are made fast about the Infant newly born, Ezek. 16. 4. Luk. 2. 7.
It is put for darkness, Job 38. 9.
Swallow]
Is careful to provide a place wherein to build, and skilful in building her nest, Psal. 84. 3. If it want clay or mud wherewith to build, it wetteth it self with water, and then rolling in the dust, maketh mud. It keepeth its nest clean, and teacheth its young ones so to do. It knoweth the time of coming, which is in the Spring. Jer. 8. 7. It feedeth all its young ones alike, not giving more to one then to another. In the Summer we have its company, but in the Winter it's gone. It's very swift, and taketh its food whilest it flyeth. It's subject to diseases in the eyes, whereof it cureth it self by applying Cellenden. In stead of singing it chattereth, Isa. 38. 14. It's said to depart from ruinous houses. It's not harmful to other bids. There's a certain kinde of Cantharides, which would destroy its young ones, but by putting garlick it its nest among them, they are preserved. As it's natural for the Swallow to flie, so causeless cursing is not to be regarded, Prov. 26. 2.
To swallow]
;;To destroy, or abolish, Psal. 21. 9. Will swallow them in his anger. See Psal. 35. 25. & 52. 16. & 55. 10. Psal. 27. 2. & 124. 3.
;;Note. The Scripture useth to note out the Tyger-like cruelty of Church enemies, by this Metaphor of Swallowing up, drawn from the likeness of great Whales, or other great beasts which swallow things at once.
To swallow] To help and assist, Rev. 12. 16. It is put for, To enjoy quietly, Job 20. 18. It is to sup up, Obad. 1. 6. It signifieth also, To want words to expresse ones grief, Job 6. 3.
To swallow]
;;To sink in, and cause to vanish, as the earth or land doth to the floods of water which it drinketh in: so did the earth, (that is, men of earthly religion and affections) swallow and drink in (as it were) the rage and persecution intended by the Devil and his instruments, against the Church of Christ in earth. Rev. 12. 16. The earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood. This was verified in the Vandals, Gothes and other barbarous people, who coming to dwell in civilized Countreys; and being turn'd (in shew at least) to Christian Religion, did much help the true Church by stopping and allaying the furious mindes of her adversaries. See Flood.
Swan]
Hereof mention is made, Lev. 11. 18. & Deut. 14. 16. where it's reckoned among the unclean fowles. It's very meek and gentle. It loveth pleasant places near rivers. Is not harmful, is fruitful in increase, and loveth its young ones dearly. It seldom or never diveth under the water, as some other Water … do. Its chiefest strength is in the wings. It feedeth sometimes on Nettles, to keep under and extinguish its lust. It's an enemy to the Eagle, yet beginneth not the fight, but standeth on its own defence. At some times one Swan devoureth another. It hath broad feet, whereon it standeth firmly. It presageth its own death by singing, and being aged and near unto death it singeth the more sweetly. They feed one another. Being weighty in body, it flyeth seldom. It's white of colour, but hath a blackish flesh, which is ill of digestion.
I sware]
Numb. 14. 30. Heb. listed up my hand, marg.
Sware]
Heb. 3. 11. So I sware in my wrath, God … seldom: Swears by himself, by no creature. And it's a matter of weight that makes him swear: Nor sweareth he rashly, in heat and choler, but for the confirmation of his mercy and gracious promises to his children, ch. 6. 13. and the strengthening of his justice and threatnings against the wicked, as in this place. God, as ye see, swears, … may we do; if we could keep our selves within … limits, that he did, Jones.
Swarm]
A company of Flies, Exod. 8. 21, 22, 24, 29, 31. Bees, Judg. 14. 8.
Swarve]
To rove and erre from the right mark, like unskilful Shooters, 1 Tim. 1. 6. & 6. 21. 2 Tim. 2. 18.
Swarve]
Having swarved, 1 Tim. 1. 6. or not aiming at, marg.
To swear]
;;To use the name of God in an Oath, to witness some matter in controversie, for the ending of strife. This may be done either … and falsely, or reverently and truly. Mat. 5. 34. Swear not at all. Zach. 5. 3. Deut. 10. 20. Eccl. 9. 1.
;;2. To worship and serve God, whereof lawful Swearing is a part. Deut. 6. 13. Thou shalt swear by my name. Synecdoche.
;;3. To make confession, or solemn profession by mouth, that God is only searcher of hearts, to acknowledge him as the witness and rewarder of truth, but as a severe and just revenger of falsehood and perjury, Isa. 45. 23. Rom. 14. 11. The latter place expounds the former; and albeit, that Prophesie of Isaiah cited and interpreted by Paul, be in part fulfilled now in this life, (for the wicked are forced sometime to confess Christ to be a just and righteous God, whom the faithful willingly acknowledge to be so) yet it shall not be fully accomplished, untill Christ come in the Clouds, and all appear before him, when, will they, … they, they shall be driven to acknowledge him their Judge. Now because none can be the universal Judge of the world, save he which is essentially God, therefore Paul aptly citeth that Text out of Isaiah, to prove that the glory of the Godhead doth belong to Christ, to whom all must give an account, and before whom all knees must bow.
;;Note: That Swearing is alwayes expressed in Hebrew in the form passive, because it is with a passion of minde, and is occasioned or offered by another.
;;It hath also the signification of seven, because it is confirmed by the seven; that is, many witnesses, Gen. 21. 31. seven a mystical number, Gen. 2. 2.
Swear]
That a Christian may swear lawfully, when called unto it by the Magistrate, he must look,
1. To the object, that he swear by the Lord alone; for seeing we deifie and make that our God we swear by, therefore we forsake the true God, if we swear by that which is no God; and so provoke the Lord not only to execute his judgements on us, but also upon the Countrey wherein we live, Jer. 5. 7.
2. In respect of the manner, that he swear in Truth, Judgement, and Righteousness, Jer. 4. 2.
In truth, that he may say with the Apostle, I speak the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience bearing me witness in the holy Ghost, Rom. 9. 1.
In judgement, i. e. advisedly, and upon necessary occasion.
In righteousness, promising nothing by Oath, but what is lawful and just.
3. In respect of the end; that God may be glorified, our duty discharged, controversies appeased, our Brethren satisfied, and our innocency cleared. Downam Psal. 15. p. 144, 145.
To swear by the Lord]
;;To call upon the name of the Lord, as a witness and Judge against us, if we do not deal and speak truly, Josh. 2. 12.
To swear unto the Lord]
;;By solemn oath, to binde our selves wholly unto God, to serve him only with a pure heart. 2 Chr. 15. 14. And they sware unto the Lord. Also v. 15. Isa. 19. 18.
To swear by Malcham]
;;To halt between the service of the true God and Idols. Zeph. 1. 5.
Whosoever shall swear by the Temple, &c. Mat. 23. 16. It seems by that which Christ here affirms of the Pharisees, that they had a tradition, that those oaths only were obligatory which were conceived by God, or something immediately consecrated to him; meaning thereby not the Temple and Altar, which had only an universal consecration (being set apart to his service) but other particular oblations and gifts, which were by the voluntary piety of men devoted to him. Of this sort is the gold of the Temple, and the gift on the Altar, wherein it seems they placed a more special sanctity then in the other. This Christ looks on as a pityful nice piece of deceit, either to frustrate the obligation of some oaths, or to make a nice distinction of sanctity, where indeed there was none, the whole sanctity of the gold or gift flowing from the Temple or Altar, to which and the God in it, they were consecrated. What should be the colour or pretence of this doctrine of theirs, it would be hard to guess; unless perhaps it was, that they conceived the Temple by its having been demolisht, to have lost its sanctity, and not have recovered it at its rebuilding, and increase by Herod; whereas the gold and the gift, which the piety of the Jewish Donour had consecrated, might be allowed by them to have that sanctity; but this being so weak a reason, leaves it liable to the censure of hypocrifie, which Christ here layes upon it, the true cause surely being that by perswading men that the gold and gifts brought to the Temple, were the holiest things in the world, holier then the Temple, or Altar it self, they might bring men to great liberality that way, and so make gain of their doctrine. Dr. Hammond Annot. c.
To swear in Truth, Judgement, and Righteousness]
;;To take an Oath, neither falsly to confirm a lie, nor breaking what is truly affirmed or promised; not lightly and vainly, without good ground, and just cause, concerning Gods glory, our neighbours good spiritual or bodily, or our own name, when truth without an oath cannot be known; nor lewdly and wickedly, against religion, or right, as Herod's and the Jews oath, Mark 6. Act. 23. Jer. 4. 2. Thou shalt swear in truth, &c.
Swearers]
False swearers, such as swear flalsly. Against these, see Levit. 19. 12. 1 Tim. 1. 10. where they are termed perjured persons.
Swearing]
Jer. 23. 10. or cursing, marg.
Sweat]
Natural, Gen. 3. 19. Supernatural, Luk. 22. 44. Bernard.
Sweat of face]
;;Great labour and hard pains, such as cause sweat and weariness. Gen. 3. 19. Thou shalt eat thy bread in the sweat of thy face.
Sweep]
signifieth, 1. To oppresse and rob, Prov. 28. 3.
2. To destroy, Isa. 14. 23. & 28. 17.
A Sweeping rain]
Prov. 28. 3. Understand this of a rain, which by reason of its greatness and continuance, maketh a great flood, or causeth a great inundation of water, whereby the corn or other grain, and the fruits of the ground, are beaten down, destroyed, and as it were swept and carryed away, so that there is no store or provision of bread and other victual left in the field. D. Annot.
Sweet]
;;Grateful, acceptable. Lev. 1. 9. An offering of sweet odours unto the Lord. Here it is taken in good part.
;;2. Pleasant and delightful. Thus is wickedness sweet unto the mouth of a wicked man, Job 20. 12. (Here it is taken in ill part) and Gods Statutes to the soul of a righteous man, Psal. 19. 10.
Sweet]
Spoken of, and applyed unto, Bread of deceit, Prov. 20. 17. Calamus, Exod. 30. 23. Cane, Isa. 43. 24. Cinamon, Exod. 30. 23. Clods, Job 21. 33. Counsell, Psal. 55. 14. Desire accomplished, Prov. 13. 19. Every thing, Prov. 27. 7. Flowers, Cant. 2. 3. Honey, Rev. 10. 9, 10. Honey-combe, Prov. 24. 13. Incense, Exod. 30. 7. (Heb. incense of spices, marg.) Influences, &c. Job 38. 31. Light, Eccl. 11. 7. Meditation, Psal. 104. 34. Melody, Isa. 23. 16. Mouth, Cant. 5. 16. Myrrhe, Cant. 5. 5. Odours, Lev. 26, 31. Psalmist, 2 Sam. 23. 1. Sacrifices, Jer. 6. 20. Savour, Gen. 8. 21. (Heb. a savour of rest, marg.) Sleep, Eccl. 5. 12. Smell, Isa. 3. 24. Spices, Exod 30. 34. Stolne waters, Prov. 9. 17. Voice, Cant. 2. 14. Water, Jam. 3. 11. Waters, Exod. 15. 25. Wickedness, Job 20. 12. Wine, Isa. 49. 26. Words, Psal. 119. 103. & 141. 6.
Sweet Cinamon]
;;It is the bark of a Tree, used for sweet odours, and signifies spiritual grace, Prov. 7. 17. Cant. 4. 14. Exod. 30. 23.
Sweet fruits, things and flowers]
;;The graces of the Spirit, and works of faith which are as delightful as sweet fruit, or any sweet thing, Cant. 4. 13. With sweet fruits.
;;2. The doctrine of the Word, which is as sweet to the godly soul, as any thing can be to the mouth, Cant. 5. 13. His cheeks are as sweet flowers. See Fruit.
Sweet smelling Myrrhe, Heb. passing, or running about, marg.
Sweet savour, Ezek. 16. 19. Heb. a savour of rest, marg.
Sweet wine, Isa. 46. 26. or new wine, marg.
Sweetly]
Pleasantly, Job 24. 20. Cant. 7. 7.
Whith goeth down sweetly]
Cant. 7. 9. The virtue and efficacy of the Word of God preached and taught is here intended, which is like excellent wine, acceptable to Christ, and which moveth and worketh strongly in the hearts of them that receive it (as wine which is a creature full of life and spirit, sparkleth and danceth in the glasse, Prov. 23. 31.) especially when men ponder it seriously, and meditate upon it, and digest it. Annot.
Sweetness]
Pleasantness, Judg. 9. 11. Eloquence, Prov. 16. 21. Good advice, Prov. 27. 9.
Neither did thy foot swell]
Deut. 8. 4. The Hebrew word signifieth properly the swelling up, puffing up, rising of dough by means of leaven mixt with it. As if Moses should say, that their feet were not hurt, or galled at all by the cumbersomness and trouble of all their marching and travelling. D. Annot.
Swelling]
it is put for Emulation and Indignation, 2 Cor. 12. 20.
2. For proud, boasting, 2 Pet. 2. 18. Jude v. 16.
3. For troublesome, and dangerous, Jer. 12. 5.
4. For the near approaching of Gods judgements, Isa. 30. 13.
Swept]
is put,
1. For utterly destroyed, Judg. 5. 21. Jer.. 46 15.
2. For void of grace, Mat. 12. 44. Luk. 11. 25.
Swift]
is applyed Properly,
1. To things without life, as the Weavers Shuttle, whereunto the life of man is compared, Job 7. 6.
2. To living Creatures, as the Dromedary, which is swift, not so much in respect of the course, as the raging lust that is in it; whereunto the Jews are compared, that ran to Idolatry as it were with a raging desire, Jer. 2. 2, 3. And it is applyed to a Post; whereunto the life of man is compared, Job 9. 25.
2. Improperly, it is spoken of them that go about a business without delay; and thus it is applyed,
1. To God, who is said to come swiftly against the enemies of the Church to be revenged on them, Joel 3. 4.
2. Of Men; and that,
1. In a good part, when he is ready to do any good, Mat. 28. 7. as to hear the word, Jam. 1. 19. To worship God, Psal. 68. 32. and, to fulfill his Word, Deut. 9. 12.
2. In an evill part; when it is used in the committing iniquity; as, in the going aside from God, Exod. 32. 8. and when the feet are swift to shed innocent bloud, Rom. 3. 15. Isa. 59. 7.
Swiftly]
Speedily, Joel 3. 4. Continually, Zech. 8. 21. Weariness, Dan. 9. 21. marg.
Swim]
is properly spoken both of fishes and other creatures which swim, as also of every thing that floats upon the water, as Isa. 25. 11. God is compared to one spreading out the hands to swim, when he cometh to punish his enemies.
Improperly, it is spoken of those who are in great grief, in respect whereof they shed abundance of tears, Psal. 6. 7. and of the Land of Aegypt, which is overflowed with Nilus, Ezek. 32. 6.
Swine]
Reckoned among the unclean beasts, Lev. 11. 7. Deut. 14. 8. forbid to be eat, Isa. 66. 16. They feed on husks, Lev. 15. 16. To look after them, a base employment, Luke 15. 15. The Devils until Christ gave them leave, had no power to enter into the Swine, Mark 5. 12. Hereunto such are compared, who regard no more the precious promises of the Gospel, then Swine do pearls, Mat. 7. 6. They love to wallow in the mire, 2 Pet. 2. 24. are not offended with the smell of carion, &c. so dull is their sense of Smelling. They are ravenous, nor abstain they at some time from the flesh of their own kind. Inwardly they resemble very near the inward parts of a man. In what night soever a wilde Hog or Sow farroweth, there will be no storm, or rain. By the first farrow of the Sow, it may be known how fruitful she will be: she ever offereth her foremost dug to the Pig which is first …: and if any of her Pigs be taken from her and killed, the dugs which they suck presently dry up, the milk returneth backward. If its head be held upward, it cryeth not, as being alwayes accustomed to look downward. Sweet savours are very hurtful to them. If they lie long wallowing in the mire, or if they feed more greedily then they are accustomed to do, or leap and dance, they presage foul weather. They are hurtful in rooting and turning up the earth. There is no beast lesse profitable, being alive, then a Hog, and yet at his latter end he payeth his Master for his keeping. They feed of the fruits of the Tree, but look not up to the Tree that beareth them. When they wax fat, they feel not the bitings of the Mice … on their fat. They sleep much, especially in the Summer, nor can they abide the cold of the Winter. Their milk, dung, flesh, &c. are all useful in physick. If they lose their eyes, they quickly die. They are of a very hot and moyst nature; whence it cometh to passe that they often prove measely. When any one of them is …, or maketh a noise, all the rest come about it to help it, or (if need be) to fight for it. They are still grunting, nor cease therefrom even whilest they are feeding. They cast not their hair as other beasts do. For the most part they are either feeding, or sleeping, or wallowing.
Swine]
;;Obstinate and desperate sinners, which scorn and deride the Word of admonition, rowling and tumbling with pleasure, in the mire of their old, filthy, and rotten conversation. Mat. 7. 6. Cast not pearls before Swine.
Swoon]
Lam. 2. 11, 12. The children swoon, or faint and go away for want of food. Heb. are covered or overwhelmed, a mist or cloud coming before the eyes of those that are fainting or swooning, which taketh away their sight.
Sword]
;;A sharp instrument of iron, made for defence and offence. Luk. 22. 49. Shall we smile with the sword?
;;2. The Word of God. Eph. 6. 17. The sword of the Spirit, &c. Heb. 4. 12. For the … of God is lively, and mighty in operation, and sharper then any two-edged Sword.
;;3. An instrument of Justice, or ensign of publick authority. Rom. 13. 3. They bear not the sword in vain. Also the power to draw out the sword to punish ….
;;4. The judgement of War. Lev. 26. 25. I will send a sword.
;;5. The sharpe justice and vengeance of God hewing down sinners. Deut. 32. 41, 43. I will whet my glittering sword, and my sword shall eat their flesh.
;;6. Death executed by the Sword. Exod. 18. 1. And delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh.
;;7. Bloudy war, strife, and deadly contention, Matth. 10. 34.
Sword] Wicked men whom God useth to afflict his people, Psal. 17. 13. Grief and vexation of Spirit, Luk. 2. 35. Cruel and slanderous tongue and words, Psal. 59. 7. & 57. 4. Every thing contrary to peace, Matth. 10. 34.
It is put for drought, Deut. 28. 22. marg.
Sword]
Joel 2. 8. or Dart, marg.
Two-edged sword]
Metaphorically is put for the lips of a Whore, Prov. 5. 4.
2. For the Word of Christ, Heb. 4. 12. Rev. 1. 16. & 2. 12. For it hath a twofold operation, one upon the wicked, another in the elect; it wounds the wicked at the heart, and bringeth them to eternal death, Isa. 11. 4. Herewith he shall consume Antichrist, 2 Thess. 2. 8. visit Leviathan, and slay the Dragon; i. e. the greatest enemies of the Church, Isa. 27. 1.
In killing of the wicked, Christ hath a threefold action with his sword.
1. He revealeth unto them their sins; as, hypocrisie, pride, and rebellion against both Tables.
2. He revealeth the wrath of God, which is the curse of the Law due unto him; in which respect it is a killing letter, 2 Cor, 3. 6.
3. He wakeneth the guilty conscience, and sharpeneth the sting thereof, and terrifieth him at the hearing of the Word, as in …, Act. 24. 25. and …, Dan. 4. 6.
These are wrought in the wicked without any … … mercy, or reformation of ….
The … work of this Two-edged … is in the Elect; in whom it hath … …, all … to their subjection.
1. It woundeth to the quick the corruption of their nature, so as it shall never recover again. This is … in Conversion.
2. After Conversion it pareth away the remnant of unbelief, doubting, and other sins that be in … Elect; for every branch that bringeth … fruit in Christ, the Father pruneth it, that it may bring … more …, Joh. 15.
3. It serveth to keep the godly in awe and subjection unto God.
4. It serveth for our defence and victory in all temptation, Eph. 6. 17. With it Christ desended … against Satan. Mat. 4.
A flaming sword]
;;A Sword of fire, or like a flame of fire, or rather by a Synecdoche of the part for the whole, many siery Swords held in the hands of the … … Angels, shaking and … them to and fro in terrible manner, to afright Adam and Eve, that they should be a feard to enter again into Paradise, out of which God for ever had in justice … them, Gen. 3. 24.
From the sword, Isa. 31. 8. or for fear of the sword, marg.
To live by the sword]
;;To lead a … life, being driven to maintain his own by War. Gen. 27. 42. He shall live by the sword.
;;2. … … and … to … his Country, and not with peace, as Jacob did, Gen. 25. 40 Deut. …. 27, 28. Sword is opposed to …, Mat. 10. 34.
Sword sharpe, and sword of his mouth]
;;The Word of God, the force whereof is mighty, … the cutting down of sin in the repentant, and for cutting a pieces spiritually, and destroying the impenitent. Rev. 2. 12. Which hath a sharp sword with two edges. Rev. 2. 16. … the sword of my mouth. This signifies the same thing with [sharpe sword] unless haply, some grievous … of War be meant, which being pronounced by the Word, is therefore called the Sword of his mouth.
;;2. War and battel, or slaughter of men in war, executed by the Sword. Rev. 6. 8. Power was given to kill with the sword.
Sword]
They all hold swords; Every man hath his sword upon his thigh. Cant. 3. 8. Or, holden, (apprehended) of the sword, that is, girded therewith, having it by his side prepared and ready to fight, as Exod. 32. 27. The Word of God is the Sword of the Spirit, Eph. 6. 17. which men doe then …, when they hold forth the Word of …, Phil. 2. 16. and therewith resist Satan and all enemies. and by faith overcome. 1 Joh. 2. 14. & 5. 4. Christians which are to wrestle against manifold temptations, and against the rulers of the darknesse of this world, against spiritual wickednesses in high places, are willed to take unto them the whole armour of God, and to stand, having their … girded, &c. Eph. 6. 12, 13, 14. Aynsw. Every man hath his sword upon his thigh, word for word it is, a man his sword, or the sword of every man upon his thigh, which note that readinesse and promptitude, that should be in spiritual Watchmen: as they write of Caesar, he never laid by his sword, and as the Heathen painted their Pallas, alwayes in her Arms, so should the servants of Christ be alwayes accinct, and appointed, Cap a pe, but chiefly with his sword on his thigh; that is, not with the sign of the crosse; or any such thing (as some Romanists dote) but with prayer and the word of truth, which is a two edged-sword, Heb. 4. 12. How will they or can they else in any sort be answerable to their calling and duty, which is to stand in the house of the Lord in the night, and keep his family? Psal. 134. 1. which unlesse thus provided and strengthened they are more likely to betray. Annot.