Bolton - Houston-Packer Collection BX9339.B65 A2 1641

comfortable walking :14th God., I I3 By reafonofthat generali and commonfellowfhip,where- of I gave a tafte and touch before, (of his arbitrary and inti- mate company, every Chriftian makes confcience of better choyce) which thou mutt fometimes entertaine and exercífe with the menof this world, except thou wiltgoe out of the world; thou fhalt meete now and then upon unavoydable neceflitie, and by the exigency of thycalling , with men of intolerable converfation, and very fcandalous difcourfe ; and at unawares,andunwillingly fall arnongft fuch companions, as will fweare, blafpheme Gods Name, talke filthily, flan. der theM iniftery, raffle againft good men ; betides many other fervile, bafe, and prophane fpeeches; much froth and folly in this kind. Now in this cafe ordinarily, prophane men meddle not. They hold it a point of precifeneffe to marre the mirth, and caft the company into dumpes ofine- lancholy, by calling time intoqueftion. They love not (as they fay in their hearts) to bee difpleafing and unplaufible, where themfelves gaine nothing, and perhaps doe no good to the party. They are commonly old-excellent in rayling upon, and ilandering a good man in his abfence; but they are ftarke-naught, and no-body in reprooving anotorious wretch untohis face. If they open their mouth in thisway,it is commonly in jell, andbravery, in forme, in derifion, for fome Ones fake in the company, who, theyknow, cannot endure it; or atbell, out of acivili deteftationofcutragious villany,and furious blafphemiesof Gods glorious Name.But in fuch cafes, the Chriftian is truely folicitous andzealous; very much troubled , and carefuli how to fra:ne and hold a ferìous , wife , and feafonable contradiólion to the lan- guageofhell, which confìfleth in oathes, lying, flandering, in obfcenities, raylirgs, contemptuous infolencies againft the Miniftery and wales of God , defence of Popery, and in fuch rottenand Bedlam talke. Hee dares notmany times in fuch company, for his heart hold his peace, left there- byWe beeguilty in fome degree. i. Of the parties going on in finne. z. Of betraying Gods glory, by a cowardly and unchriftianfilence ; and 3. For feare of wounding his li owne

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