abdist the choice and nfeofCompany. 375 Thirdly, pray for, and practice an holy dexterity to divert them from their wicked, or too much worldly talk tomore favoury conference , and heavenly difcourfe. For which end, 1.Obferve wifely all opportunities, and occurrencies, which may iriinifler matter of digreflìon into divine talk, and acquaint thy felf with the Art of ab- flraaing .M holymílruétions from the book of the creatures, and bulneffcs in hand. As was Chrids practice , catth. 16. 6, &c. John 6. z6 , &c, and 4. 7, &c. 2. Have ever in readineffe force commonheads ofílirring, and quickning- motives to minde heavenly things : as the turfed condition ofour natural flare, the incomparable fiveetneffe of Chriflian wayes , the vanity and vexation of al! earthly things, the miferies of this fhort life,the everlaflingneffe of our (lace in another world , the terrours of death, thedreadfulneffeof the lab and greatday, &c, which (throughGods blef ing) may fometimes foften the hardefl hearts,and work in them force remorf and heavenly impreflions. 3. Above all, get into thine own heart an habit of heavenly mindedneffe , by much exercife, enrercourfe , and acquaintance with God in pouring out thy foul ever and anon before him , and in holy meditations , and if thou beeil thus bleffedly bufie at home with thine owne heart, thou (halt finde thy felfe much more pregnant , and plentiful in holy talk when thou cornea a- broad. Idem. Quell. what is meant by this that we mull net familiarly converfe with the wicked. Asfv. Firll, Negatively: the meaning is not, r. That we maynot be in the fame place with them, for then we mull go out ofthe world, r Cor.5.1o. 2.Nor that we may not do them common courtefies,asto lend to them, falute them , G1'latth, 5.47 where Chrifl implies that we should falute others befides our brethren. 3. Nor that we may not fometimes, upon force occafions , come into more familiar meetings with them : as toFeafts, &c, 1 Cor, ro.z7. Secondly , Affirmatively, the meaning is , a. That we may not upon choice, without juft occafions , frequent their com- pany ; which for their fins we fhould hate, Pfal.139.21,22. z. That we may not delight in their fociety, whichcannot but be a griefe to a godly heart, Tfal. 1ao.ç. and 1/9.136. 3. That we may not choofe them for our familiar friends. Quell. who are fuckwicked men as we may not make our companions ? 'Info. Firft, Negatively, t. Not fuch an one as is unfound at heart , but not difcovered : For one whomwe may lawfully chufefor our friend, may afterwards prove an hypocrite. 2. Nor fuck an one who bath manyweakneffes , whom we mua rather refiere With thefpirit of meekneffe, Ga1.6.i. Secondly, Affirmatively. a. Such as areout of theC hurch,asJews, Turks,pe.. gane, j , , s,er c. 2. Such asare jufllyexcommunicated out of the Church for blafphemy, he- rdic, or profanneffe, t Cor. 3, Such as, though they continue in theChurch, yet by their works they (hew that they are meer carnal. c ell. But what if our near: relations, at husband, wife, (fie, are wicb`ed ? Anfiv 'We mull diflinguifh of Wicked perfons : who are, a. Such as are notbound tous by any fpecialbond,and thefe we may not make ur companions. J %Such I IY.
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