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486
CHrZiSTIAN MÓRALTTI',
VIZ.
jS1:RM.
tixxt:
It
is
true,
the
apostle
tells
us,
if
we
would utterly
se-
elude ourselves from all
manner of
converse with persons
of
ill
character,
we
must
abandon
society,
and almost
go
out of
the
world,
1
Con
v.
lo. But
the meaning
of
the apostle,
when be bids
its
avoid evil companions,
is,
as much
>as
possible, to
shun
their
company
;
see
there
fore
that it
is
a necessary call
of
providence leads
you
amongst
them
;
otherwise abstain.
Those
who give
them-
selves up to
be
entertained
by
every one
that
will
enter-
tain
them, those
who will walk
with every companion,
and
will
herd
with every drove, they
are
in
danger
of
being
corrupted
with
any
vice,
and
of
learning
every ill
principle.
But
if
through the
grace
of
God,
we
should
escape the
infection,
of error
or
sin,
yet
we shall lose
our
good
name
by
keeping
ill
company.
A delight
in
base
and
worthless companions,
will
make the world
judge that
we
are
like them
:
Whereas
we
shall
gain
a
part of
the
good
character
of our
associates
and acquaintance, and
derive honour
from them,
if
we
are
so
happy
as to have
friendship and intimacy with persons of
piety,
learning
and
virtue. May these
be
the
friends
of
my choice,
and
my companions for ever
!
V.
Abstinence
from the
utmost bounds
of
things law-
ful,
is
another practice of
good
report
amongst
rnén.
It
is
but
a narrow
line in many
cases,
that
divides between
a
lawful
and a
sinful
practice;
and
if
we
will
venture,
as
near
as
possible
to
the
very
borders
of
what
we
think
lawful,
we shew
too great an inclination to the bordering
iniquity, and
we-shall often
be in
danger
of
treading
on
forbidden ground.
If
we
indulge the
love
of
pleasure,
or
give an
unguarded
loose to any unlawful passion,
we
shall
find
it
difficult to with
-hold the
violence
of corrupt
'nature
from transgressing
the
lawful
bounds.
If
a
wild
horse
be
indulged in
his
career,
it
is
well
if
he
does
not
break the reins, and
fling
the
rider.
It
is
a foolish fancy
to
walk
upon
the edge
of
a
precipice,
unless
we
could
infallibly secure
Our
head
from giddiness,
or
our
feet
from stumbling.
It
is
much safer
therefore
to keep
a
proper
distance from fatal danger.
The
world
will give
us
but
an
ill
character, and
say
very
justly
concerning
us,
that
we
are not
much afraid
of
vice,
if
we
dare
rashl:'
venture
into temptation: