Quefßions;and Cafes ofConfcience Chap. 38 r i. By familiar correfpondence with fuch, there fleals upon aman a fe- cret and infenfible diflike of hisformer fober courfes,as havingthere by toomuch abridged himfelf of his liberty. s. There {lily infinuates into his heart a pleafwg approbation cite and I agent to the fenfuall courfes of his lewd companions. 1. 3. There followsa refolved, and habitual change of his affections, and { converfation into the manners of thofe which he fo familiarly converfes with. 4. He grows out ofconceit with good men, and good exercifes, hecaufe he daily hears them railed on, jelled at, and flandered'r and fo by degrees is himfelf transformed into a fcoffing lfitmeei, and a L breathingDevil. Quetl.. But I hope we may beep companywith fuch as arecivil ? Anfiv. Chriaianswhich have any fear of God in their hearts, will fhun the focietyof fuch grofly profane perlons ; knowing that their fouls are a thoufand times more capable of the contagionof fin, then their bodiesofan,infeótious di- feafe, and therefore their danger is greater by converting with meerlycivili men, whofe fociety they unadvifedlyentertain for kindred , old acquaintance , advan- tage , or fuch carnali refpçtus, and thereby cool in their zeale, lode their com= fort,feelings ofGods favour,joyful fpringings of heart,boldnefsin the ways ofGod, cheerfulnefs in theexercifes of Religion , and that comfortable fruition ofother Chriflian prerogatives, which manyother oftheir brethren doe, and themfelves, by the benefit of Religious companions , and delightful( converfing with the Saints, might plentifully enjoy. z. A Chriftian isevery hour which he is in their company without a warran- table calling , and jufldifpenfationoutof the Word of God, in great danger of being involved within the flames ofthe jut+ confufions, and inwrapt within the compafs of thofeoutward curfes, and plagues which Gods indignation infliels up- onwicked men. All profane men, being unreconciled to God , are every mo- ment liable to all thofe miferies, and fearful( judgements, which either man, or Devil(, any of Gods creatures, or his own immediate hand can bring upon them, they are only refpited byGods mercy, anddeferred to thofe opportunities, and feafons which feem fittea to his holywifdom. Now when at anytime they light upon them, if any ofGods Children be unwarrantably in their company , and withdeli,ht , its righteous with God , that he receive hisportion amongft them at that-time, 2 Chron.2o. 37. Be ye not therefore companions with them, Ephef. 5.7. Secondly, Becaufe theremutt fhortly bean everlatling feparation between the chriftian, & profane men:Itsbelt therefore for a Chriflian to begin this feparation in time , and not to repofehis fpecial love uponan object where it mutt not eter- nally refl,nor intimately converfe with him, whole company he fhall not here- after have in heaven. 3. AChriflian converfingwith graceleffe perfons dothobfcure , if not quite lofe his credit with good men : For a man is reputed to be of their humour , and conditions with whom he lothordinarily, and intimately converfe. Now agood name is better thengreat riches, Prov. 22./. Eccle.7. i . It makes thebonesfat, Prov. E s. ti o. therefore we. fhould muchprize it. 4hly,No profane perfon canheartily,and directly love achildeof God for his zeale, and fpiritual graces :nay, naturally he hates all holy impreffions : and that I. Becaufe of that irreconcilable enmity , and antipathy between the feed of the woman , and the feed of the Serpent : between light and darknefs, (*brig and Belial. 2. Becaufc every unregenerate man, though furnifhed withthebelt perfe4lions attainable in that Rate, thinks that his lukewartnnetfe, and formality is cenfurcd and
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