14$ That thecompany ofrvicked worldling: it tobe attoided. menti hereafter, theJeffe nee hauefeared re abufefobauntifu/l bleffinesof Clod untojinn. CHAP. XVII. Thatfocietie andneere familiarity with t'icke:d worldlingt se to beJliunned andauoided. g Secei, l , jr*-- Nd thus much concerning fuch worldly tentati- Thar the world L. ons, as haue their ground and foundation on allurcihv, by fome thing which is in our felues. Nosy it fol- wrcked campa _ loweth that I intreate offuch, as arecatifedand nie,ro accampo occafioned by fomwhat that iswithout vs;for as theworld, nie than infin. and the prince thereoffeeke to ouercotnevs, bycaufingour (clues to betray our felues, and to become the inflruments ofour owne ruine ; fo if they faileofthis, then they bailie mulleragainfl vsforren forces, and with thembefiege the fort ofourfoules,that fo they may facke and fpoilevs ofall fpirituall graces, and may leadevs captiue todcflru6lion. Now thefe forces confif} either in theperfons ofworldlings themfelues, or in worldly things, which they vfe as their baites and allurements,wherewith they intice vs veto finne. In the former refpe& the world tempteth vs, when it draw. eth vs into the fellowfhip and focietie,or neetefarniliaritie, and inward friendfhipofwicked mcn,that being corrupted with theircompany and friendfhip, we may either bee hin- dredinourcourfe ofgodlinefle, orallured togoe with diem in the broad way of Clime, that bringeth to defiruetibn: 4.Sef7.2. Which tentation that wee may ouercome, let vs arme Thaiaillocietie our felues againfi it; and lea wee fhould reie6ì the good »ithwicked withtheeuill, in the firft place let vs confider in what re- men ilotvn fpe6sfocietiewithworldlings is permittedas lawfull, and how it iscorídemned as vnlawfull and euill, that fo neither goingafide on the right hand,nor on the left, wee mayhold on in that firaight waywhich the word ofGodprefcribeth rirritfotta. voto vs. For the former weare to know,that not all manner dorm qua volt offocietie with wicked men is forbidden,noryet to al men: cum innecenti- For (as one faith) hemafygoeintothe folirary defrts,whozeill bra viuere. lice
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