Sin Stigmatized, Part 2 · Section 201
§ 201.
BUt here it will bee objected. Object. That we are melancholly perſons, Objection of joy and good fellow ſhip anſwered.ſtrayers from the drove of mankind, and whereas nature hath made us ſociable creatures, in making us men, religion hath altered to a crazied diſpoſition, whereby wee are miſpleaſing to all, as all to us.
To this is anſwered. Anſw. Suppoſe it were true (but I ſhall in place more convenient prove, that the religious only enjoy true mirth, and that worldly mirth is more talked of then felt, ſpirituall joy more felt then talk'd of, though I may appeale to any mans conſcience, that hath been ſoftned with the unction of grace, and truly tasted the powers of the world to come) yet they think it is better being a good Chriſtian, then a good fellow; and hold it farre better, in good ſadneſſe to bee ſaved with a few, as Noah was in the Arke, then in good fellowſhip, with the multitude, to bee drowned in ſinne, and damned for company.
We are content (ſaith one) to paſſe, through ſomewhat more unſociably, into happineſse; it ſufficeth wee ſhall meet with good company at our journeys end, in the kingdome of heaven, even an innumerable company of Saints and Angels.
The men of the world practiſe, what once a Jeſter ſpake, who, when a great Lord asked him, whether he would goe to Heaven or Hell? anſwered, to hell, for there (quoth he) I ſhall bee ſure to meet your Lordſhip, and the greateſt part of mine acquaintance. But it is not ſo with the true Chriſtian: he little loves Chriſt, that will not follow him without company: and his zeale is cold to heaven, whom the example of numbers can turn another way. Wherefore let us ſay, as much as Peter ſaid; and do more, then Peter did; though all men ſhould forſake thee, yet will I nt leave thee, O Saviour: neither magnitude of Princes, nor multitude of people, ſhall prevaile with me.
But the world wrongs religion, when they accuſe it to bee an enemy to good-fellowſhip: for ſhe hath not a follower, which doth not ſay with David, Pſa, 119.63. I am a companion to all them that feare thee, and keep thy precepts: for the godly mans chiefe delight is in the Saints, and ſuch as excell in vertue, Pſalme 16.3. Yea, and their fellowſhip is ſo good, profitable, and delectable, that as Syneſius was of opinion, that King Hieron got more by Simonides acquaintance, then Simonides did by his; and as we read that Pharaoh, Saul, and Nebuchadnezzar were more pleaſured by Ioſeph, David, and Daniel, then Daniel, David, and Ioſeph were by them: ſo I perſwade my ſelfe, great perſons would finde themſelves more then requited, if they would vouchſafe the company of ſome poore Saints: for a wiſe and holy Chriſtian (like his Lord and Maſter) whereſoever he goes, makes better cheare then he findes, in an happy exchange of ſpiritual repaſt for bodily. Yea, as Plato accounted it one of the foure great privelidges, for which he was eſpecially bound to nature, that he lived in the time of Socrates: ſo they ſhould thinke it none of the leaſt favours, for which they were bound to bleſſe God, that they enjoyed ſo religious and holy ſociety.
It is true indeed, there is a ſuppoſed good fellowſhip, to which religion is an enemy; becauſe it is an enemy to this holy fellowſhip of the Saints: and good reaſon, the one are to the other, as Wolves are to the Lambes: now is it any marvaile if the Lambes care not greatly for the company of the Wolves? the Lambe would not willingly be alone; yet it is far better when ſolitary, then in a wolviſh ſociety.
Generous mindes will aſſociate with their matches and equalls, or none: as Dav…d being a King, when he was expulſed his owne Country, reſorts to none but Kings: for firſt he goeth to Achis, King of Gath; then to the King of Moab, 1 Sam. 21.10. and 1 Sam. 22.3.
Neither are our ding-thirſts, who laviſh out their eſtates, and throw the houſe out at windowes (as we uſe to ſay) good fellowes, though they call themſelves ſo: for good fellowes and evill men are incompatible; like Simeon and Levi, ſworne brothers, but brethren in evill; which is too evill a brotherhood, for an honeſt man to make one in, or (indeede) a wiſe man: for is not hee a foole, that will ſell Heaven for company, as a great many tru drunkards doe? For my owne part, if I have good company, I will cheriſh them as Lot did his Angels, which were ſent for guardians: if I have any bad, I will ſtudie to looſe them, leaſt by keeping them, I looſe my ſelfe in the end.