a Means of attaining to Wifdom, ÿo3 charaéter ; and, no doubt, the ftridteft vir- S E R M, tue alloweth them, at proper times, to con- XII. verfe together about Worldly affairs and law- ful recreation ; but what I think the text chiefly importeth is, that wifdom and virtue fhould be the principal fubje 1, and the main defign of their focial communications. Farther, it follows, that in all our volun- tary aflbciations, even thofe which are en- tered into for the purpofes of this life, our choice fhould be determined with a regard to virtue, and fuch perfons taken into our company as are wife, fo far as the ties of nature and providential circumftances will allow. A good man may have his lot affigned him by providence among the Wicked, and in that cafe it mull be his endeavour to pre - ferve his integrity ; but he would make it his choice rather to be in a place where he fhould be lefs expofed to temptations, and where the practice of virtue is not difcouraged, but promoted rather, by well - difpofed fociety. A wife man may have domeftic affociates of a contrary charafter, as parents or chil- dren ; but in voluntary relations he fhould be careful to enquire into the difpofitions of the perfons he joineth with, and his care in this fhould be proportioned to the intimacies of the friendfhip to be contraEted. Solomon himfelf
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=