Downame - Puritan-02038 v2

That thefriendfhip ofwickedworldling, it to le contemned. 171 to hate thole, vnto whom their neceflitie enforceth them whether they will or no,to Hand indebted and beholding. Such friends therefore as are tied vnto vs in thefe worldly 4.Set7.5. bonds, are not to be efleemed, for when the bonds are bro- rhrfe worldly ken the friends are fcattered ; like chaffe or force fuch light freed, for fake matter, which lieth with the good wheate in the funfhine vs is úmeof and calme,but feparateth it felfe and fleeth awaywhen the uoít RweFdnrheir leaf blafl of wind bloweth : or like vnto the reed which helpe. fiandeth vpright,and feemeth fide and flrong in faire wea- ther, but boweth and bendeth any way when the forme commeth : fo thefe worldly friends whileft the fun of prof -' peritie fhineth, do adhere vino vs and feeme firme and con - flant, as though they would neuer leauevs; but when the leaa tempefl oftrouble commeth, and when the world fee - meth to frowne, they either hang downe the head and will not fee vs, or frame idle excufes why they cannot helpe vs; or like lobs miferable comforters they make pouerty a crime, and argue and inferre our guiltineffe and faultines, becaufe we are fallen into this miferie and afflidiion. And therefore let vs notmake choice of fuch friends if wee haue them not, nor trua vnto them ifwce haue them; for like the reed they will bow and flee from vs, when being almofi drowned in miferie, we labour to catch hold of them, or elfc breaking in our hands will wound vs,when as wee ref and relie vpon them : or finally like the brier they will fleece vs ofour wool when we flee vnto them for fuccour : or like an old ruinous houfe,wheu we come vnto them for fhelter and prote6hon againfl the forme, they will fall vpon vs and beate vs to the ground with their opprefíîons. Let vs therefore follow the aduiceofthe fonne of Syrach: If (faith hee) thou gettefta Ecclef.6.7.8, friend, proue him frft,end be not bailie to credit him. For fame 9. &e. M419 rs a friend for hie o \lone occafson, and will not abide in the day of thy trouble, &c. Againe, force friend is but a companion at thy table, and in the day of thine of liftion bee continseeth not, but in thy profperity he wil be aetbore thy felfe, & : =t11 vfeliberty otter thy ferreants; if than be broughtlowhewill be aioift thee, and \bill hide himfelfe from :by face. Depart from thine ene- mies,and beware of thy friend,. Yea