Practical Truths to Promote Godliness, Sermon 6
It is the Property of a Sincere Godly Man, Not to Sit with Vain Persons.
PSAL. 26. 4.
I have not Sat with vain Persons.
THe Prophet David, being sensible of those unjust Reproaches and Slanders, which Saul and his Servants had taken up against him, he App…als to God concerning his Innocency, desiring that the Lord would be his Judge, and his Examiner. And that is …he scope and summ of the …wo first verses of this Psalm. Having asserted his integrity, he produceth sundry arguments as evidences thereof. 1. His having the Image of God upon him in respect of mercy and truth, argued his sincerity in the Lords …ight Ver. 3. For thy loving kindness is before mine eyes, and I have walked in thy Truth. Out of respect to the honour of God, he had shewed kindness to those that were unworthy of it, following the Lords example therein; and he had approved himself true and faithful in all his wayes. 2. He proveth his sincerity in that he had declined the society of sinners. 3. In that he was one who did make Conscience to prepare for, and that delighted in the Worship of God. He was where he would be, when attending upon the Lord in the wayes of his Worship, especially as to publick Worship, and those holy Ordinances which are of Divine Institution. Delight wherein is a great sign of true Grace, ver. 6. 7, 8.
The words at present to be insisted on, fall under the second Reason, whereby the Psalmist endeavours to evince his integrity.
And the Doctrine from them, is,
That it is the Propery of a Sincere Godly man, not to sit with vain Persons.
There are three things, which may here be enquired into.
1. What is implied in sitting with vain Persons?
2. Who are those vain Persons that godly men will not sit with?
3. The Reasons of the Doctrine, or whence it is, that sincere godly men, will not sit with vain Persons.
Q. 1. What is implied in sitting with vain Persons?
Ans. We must know 1. Negatively, That the words do not intimate, as if all communion with ungodly men were unlawful. For, occasionally to shew kindness and civil respect unto such …s lawful, yea, and in some cases a duty. We are to shew all gentleness towards all men, Tit. 3. 2. Acts of charity, are to be extended towards all sorts of men. Though we are especially to do good to the houshold of Faith, yet not …o them only, but as we have opportunity, to others also. Which is implied in that Precept, Honour all men. And the Apostle Exhorts Christians to add Charity unto Brotherly kindness, The Object of charity is more general and extensive, then that of Brotherly kindness. We are to extend acts of charity not only to such as are Brethren, but to Enemies. Yea, and some Religious communion may be held with those that are vain Persons. Though we are to exclude them from partaking in Instituted, yet not from joyning with us …n Duties of Moral Worship. We may suffer them, to joyn with us in hearing the Word. VVe may pray with those that are vain and carnal. The Apostle Paul, prayed with all th…se that sailed in the Vessel with him, being in number two hundred, and three score and sixteen Souls, and yet but few of them that had any true Religion or fear of God in their hearts, Act. 27. 35. 37. so that all Communion with vain persons is not forbidden nor implied in declining to sit with them.
2. To speak positively in Answer to the enquiry before us.
1. Sitting with Vain Persons, implieth unnecessary Communion with them.
Sometimes Communion with such is necessary. A man may be providentially compelled unto it. So was Joseph, when in the Land of Egypt; and David whilest amongst the Philistims; yea, and in Sauls Court, where it may be, the…e was not one godly man, besides himself and Jonathan-Nehemiah when he lived amongst the Persians, Daniel and the three Worthies with him, when they lived in the Court of Babylon, were providentially put upon Communion with vain persons, as to civil Conversation, though they would not communicate with them in their false-worship, or vain Religion. Likewise, a mans particular calling may necessitate him sometimes to converse with vain persons. Therefore the Scripture doth allow more Communion and civil converse with Idolaters and prophane persons, then with those that are under Church censure for scandalous evils; because if Christians should be forbidden all society or commerce with worldly and wicked men, they must go out of the world, 1 Cor. 5 9, 10, 11. And not only the concerns of a Christians particular Calling, may necessitate him to be in company with vain persons. But the necessity of such persons themselves may call for it. They may stand in need of relief and charity as to their bodies, or of instruction for their souls, in which cases, and for which ends, it is very lawful to be in their company. But when no necessity, neither of providence nor of precept doth call to be with them, the case is otherwise: we ought then to decline their company. Therefore,
2. Setting with vain persons implieth Familiarity with them.
When a man declineth familiar society with all ungodly men, then he may be said, not to sit with vain persons. Thus it was with David, he would not make such his Familiars, or companions. Therefore in another place, he saith, I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy Precepts, Psal. 119. 63. Not vain Persons, but the fearers of God, were the men that he would be familiar with. And when the Prophet Jeremy, saith, I sat not in the assembly of the …nookers, chap. 15. ver. 17. his meaning is, that he had not familiarity with such as those were. If a Professor of Religion, shall make a vain person the man of his coun…il, or enter into a league of special friendship with such an one, he doth exceedingly sin against God. It is noted in the Scripture, as Jehoshaphats great failing, that he was too intimate with Ahab, for which the Prophet Jeku, did faithfully reprove him. And the Lord did sorely a…fl…ct him …or it, by his providence so ordering, as that Jehoshaphats I…e was endangered, because he had …t with …o vain and vile a person as Ahab, more then he should have don…, & besides that, the Lord to shew his di…pleasure, let loose many Enemies upon him, whereby he and the whole Kingdome was brought into distress. And when he became guilty of the same …rror again, by joyning himself with A…aziah the King of Israel, who did very wickedly, Eliezer prophesied against him, that blasting strokes of God would follow him, for that very sin; and so it came to pass, 2 Chron. 20. 36, 37. To be occasionally civil and courteous unto a wicked man may be both lawful and laudible, but to be Familiar with him, or to make a companion of him, is alwayes sinful, and good is never wont to come of it.
3. Sitting with vain persons implieth delight in their Company.
The sincerest man in the world, may be forced into the company of vile and vitious persons, but he taketh little delight in being amongst them. He is out of his Element when in such Company, as not being amongst those with whom his delight is. They will discover such a Spirit, speak such words, do such actions as are very displeasing to a gracious Soul; therefore if he could help it, he would not be much amongst them. Lot was vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked, for that Righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous Soul from day to day, with their unlawful deeds, 2 Pet. 27, 8 We ought not to love such with a Love o… complacency or Delight. Therefore when Jehosh…phat did s…em to delight in wicked Ahabs company, i… was said to him, by the Prophet, shouldst thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the Lord, 2 Chron. 19 2 indeed a love of pi… is to be manifested towards such persons. When here was a ci…il moral man, but one still in his natural unconverted estate, that came running to Christ, and kneeled down before him, with that Question, What shall I do that I may inherit eternal life, withal professing, that he had from …is you…h been very careful to observe the Commandments of God; it is said, that Jesus beholding him loved him, M…r. 10. 21. h. e. he pitied him, Bowels of love in the compassionate heart of Jesus, were moved towards him, to see a man that should perform such duties, and take such pains to obtain eternal life and yet lose his Soul for ever, because he was not built upon a right Foundation. But although, a love of pity is to be exercised towards such, yet not a love of delight in communion with them. They were other kind of persons, whom David took Delight to be among, Psal. 126. 3. The Saints that are in the Earth, in whom is all my delight. His delight was in the communion of Saints, and not in fellowship with sinners. And thats a good sign of sincerity, when there is an unfeigned love to the Brethren, as on the other hand, it is a bad sign, when a man loveth to sit and discourse with vain persons, and never thinks the time long enough whilest he is in their company.
4 When a man doth joyn counsil with vain persons, so as to approve of their wayes, and partake with them in their evil deeds, then he may be said to sit with them.
To sit with them, is to do as they do, to hearken to their advice, and to follow their example. Thus the expression is elsewhere used in the Scripture, as in Psal. 1. ver. 1 Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsil of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful, the meaning is, that the man is blessed who doth not hearken to them, nor follow their example. And David declareth his resolution not to joyn in counsil with sinners, or to do as they would have him, when he saith, I will not sit with the wicked, Psal. 26. 5. And hence this sitting with vain persons, is in the next words, expressed by that of going in with dissemblers. Now to enter in, with another, is to tread in his steps, and to follow his example. The children of Israel were charged not to enter in with the Nations amongst whom they lived, i. e. not to follow or imitate them. Josh. 23. 7. Elihu said o… Job, he goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men, because he did mistake some of Jobs words, thinking that he had said, that a man as good not serve God, as serve him; and so to speak would be to do as the workers of iniquity do, and this is called a going in company with them, Iob 34. 8. 9. David did not go in with aissemblers, inasmuch as he followed not their Example, nor sit with vain persons, since he hearkened not unto their evil coun…ls. There were some that advised him to kill Saul, and to take personal revenge, for the injuries which he had suffered, but he would not sit with them, when they had Consults of that nature.
We come now unto the second Enquiry, viz. Who are these vain persons that godly men will not sit with?
Ans. 1. Men may be called vain, in respect of their Opinions.
The Idolaters are vain persons. An Idol is nothing in the world. It hath no other deity belonging to it besides what is in the vain imagination of the Idolater. Idols are called Vanities. The vanities of the Gentiles (i. e. their Idols) cannot give rain. When men Idolize any thing, they will never find that in it, which they hoped for. They will find their Idols vain, and themselves vain in their expectations of great matters from them, Jer. 3. 23. Truly in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, and from the multitude of the mountains, h…e. from those Idols which the Jews were wont to serve upon hills, and upon many mountains. Now it is against the Rule to have familiarity or unnecessary correspondence with Idolaters. The Lord laid a most strict inhibition on his people concerning this thing charging them to beware of entring into confederacies with those Idolaters they lived amongst. And in the New-Testament it is said, what communion hath light with darkness? what agreement hath the Temple of God with Idols? Come out from amongst them, and be ye separate saith the Lord, 2 Cor. 6 17. We may not have at all to do with such in their Idolatrous worship, and as little as may be as to civil communion. So concerning those that hold any Fundamental Error in Religion, Hereticks (truly so called) are vain persons. And we ought not to have communion with such, but if they persist in their Error, we should decline their Society, Tit. 3 10. A man that is an Heretick, after the first and second Admonition reject. The Rule forbids Christians to vouchsafe so much as common, civil entertainment unto such persons, 2 Iohn 10. If there come any unto you, and bring not this Doctrine receive him not into your house, neither bid him, God speed. Have as little to do with all such persons as may be.
2. Persons may be vain in respect of their words
There are some that are full of unprofitable words. All their discourses are frothy and unsavoury. You shall never hear a gracious word proceed out of their mouthes, or any discourse that shall tend unto spiritual edification. This argueth a vain person. Much more is it true, that those evil communications which corrupt good manners, and which a moral and modest Heathen would be ashamed of, profane and filthy speeches, argue a vain and a vile person. And such as give …ad counsil. Persons that will perswade others to sin against God, deserve the Name of vain persons. Therefore when Iobs wife, gave him such desperate counsil as that, Iob 1. 9. Curse God and dye, probably supposing that if he should curse God, he would quickly die for it, and so be out of his misery, Iob calls her a foolish woman, a vain person for giving such wicked advice as that was. There is no good but much hurt that cometh by following sinful suggestions. Therefore evil Counsellers, who make it their design to draw others into the ways of Error, either as to judgement or practice, are the vain persons whom my Text, doth in a more peculiar manner refer unto.
3. Persons may be vain in respect of their practices.
There are that follow vain courses. Sinful practices are such. For there is nothing to be got by sin, but only shame and misery, Rom. 6. 2… What fruit had you in those things whereof you are now ashamed? Sin is good for nothing neither for body, nor soul, nor name, nor estate, but ba…eful unto those that shall practise it, in all these respects. Vain persons may flatter themselves in their iniquity, foolishly imagining, that they shall enjoy pleasures, or worldly gain by taking sinful and in…irect courses to obtain their desires; but in the conclusion, they will meet with a miserable frustration; seeing they have embraced a shadow instead of substance, He that gains by practising iniquity, when he shall compare his losses with his gains, will certainly find he hath lost, that which is ten thousand times better then all that he hath gained. It may be he hath gained a little of the World, but he hath lost his precious Soul, which is more worth then all this World. It may be he hath gained the love and good will of a vain Companion, but he hath lost the favour of God, in whose favour there is life, and whose loving-kindness is better then the life it self. They then that follow unrighteous practices, Play the fool, as Saul was forced to confess he did, and they become vain, Psal. 62. 10. Become not vain in Robbery. Hence, all profane Sinners are no other then vain persons. Swearers, Sabbath-breakers, Drunkards, and such like. David was resolved to have as little to do with such persons as might be, Psal. 101. 4. I will not know a wicked person. And the word of God saith, have no fellowship with such, Eph. 5. 11. Do not come among them saith another Scripture, Prov. 23. 20. Be not amongst Wine-bibbers, amongst riotous eaters of flesh. Sit not with such vain persons.
4. All unregenerate men are vain persons.
For their hearts and thoughts are taken up mostly about vain things. All their cares and utmost endeavours, are about that which is vanity of vanities. The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and pride of life; worldly profits, pleasures, preferments, are the things, which the natural man doth most of all desire and seek after: Hence they that are only civil moral men, but still in an irregenerate state; yea, more, they that are Formalists in Religion, but strangers to the power thereof, are amongst the vain persons which my Text speaketh of. And godly men should not make such their intimates, they should not sit with, and be one heart with those whom they cannot but judge to be poor, vain, carnal creatures still. The Apostle sheweth, that in the last dayes, there will be men that shall have a form of godliness without the power of it, from such (saith he) turn away, 2 Tim. 3. 5. And it is a sign, that men have little experience of the power of godliness themselves, when they chuse those that are formal, sapless, unsavoury creatures to be their greatest intimates and Familiars.
We come then unto the third Particular, viz.
To enquire into the Reasons of this Doctrine, Whence is it that a sincere godly man, will not sit with vain persons?
Ans. Reas. 1. Because godly men have their natures changed.
They have another nature in them, then what once they had, 2 Pet. 1. 4. Ye are made partakers of the divine nature. Every man until his Soul is renewed by the power and grace of the Sanctifying Spirit of God, hath only a corrupt nature in him, but the godly man is become the subject of a divine and holy nature. Therefore he is said to have a new heart given to him, Ezek. 36. 26. And to have a new spirit put within him, ibid. And to be made a new Creature, 2 Cor. 5. 17. To be new born 1 Pet. 2. 2. True conversion, implieth not only a marvellous change, as to a mans outward actions, causing him to walk in new wayes, which once he was a stranger unto, but as to his nature, and inward disposition and inclinations. Therefore the work of Conversion is oft in the Scripture set forth by such things as intimate a change of nature, e. g. by that of making a wilderness to become a fruitful field, Isai. 32. 15. The nature of the soyle is changed, when of barren it doth become fruitful; so is it with the truly converted men. And for the same reason it is said, that instead of the thorn …hall come up the fi…-tree, and instead of the brier, shall come up the mirtle tree, Isai. 55. 13. The brier and the mirtle trees are plants of very differing natures: but when a sinner is converted a brier is turned into a mirtle tree. Yea, then the Lion shall eat straw live the Ox, (as the Scripture speaketh) and the Wolf is become like a Lamb. Isai. 11. 6, 7. Now the nature being changed, there must needs follow a change as to the company which such persons will delight to associate themselves with. Every creature chuseth to be with those that are of the same nature and kind. Doves will be with Doves, and not amongst Ravens; sheep will be with sheep, and not amongst swine. So will sincere godly men (who are in the Scripture in respect of the innocency of their nature compared to Doves, and to sheep) chuse to be with such as are godly, and not with the wicked, who are resembled unto Ravens and Swine. Inasmuch as a sincere Convert, hath his nature changed, the inward desires and delights of his heart are not as once they were. He delights both in those things, and in those persons which once he had no delight in. As for an unregenerate man, his heart doth not cordially close with one that hath much of the Image of God upon him. The righteous is an abomination to the wicked. But when grace hath changed his nature, then the more godly any are, the more doth he love and delight in them. And having experienced a change of nature, his heart is taken off from those evils which are most natural unto men; and this sin of affecting vain company. is so.
Reas. 2. Sincere Godly men have had experience of, and found blessed sweetness in another, and a better kind of fellowship.
And thence, they cannot relish communion with vain persons. One that hath tasted the sweetness that is in holy fellowship, cannot but di…tast and dislike sinful fellowship And this is true concerning the sincere professor of Religion. He hath had experience of the communion of Saints, and hath found that to be edifying to his Soul Yea, he knoweth what it is, to have Communion with God and with Jesus Christ, through the Spirit, 1 Joh. 1. 3. Truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And therefore he cannot but disrelish the worlds fellowship. The Servant of God prizeth communion with him. His heart finds wonderful contentment therein; he saith, It is good for me to be here. And when he has experienced soul ravishing communion with God and with Jesus Christ, he cannot but say to the workers of Iniquity (as David did Psal. 6. 8.) Depart from me, I desire your fellowship no more. He hath found such sweetness in holy communion with the blessed God, as that he cannot approve of any thing that would break or hinder communion with him. But fellowship with vain persons will do so. A godly man shall find by experience, that if his heart be brought into never so holy and spiritual a frame, a little occasional communion with vain persons, will put it out of frame again. Therefore he is not willing to sit with such as those are.
Reas. 3. Godly men are loth to lose precious time.
They are willing to do as the Apostle doth exhort, Eph. 5. 16. Redeem the time. They know that they have but a little time to be in this world; but a little time to serve and honour God, and make sure of their own salvation in. Therefore they are loth to sacrifice their precious hours to the lusts of men; or to lose any part of their time. Whenas that time which is spent in sitting with vain persons, is mispent and lost; and a miserable account is like to be given of it at the last day. The holy spirit of God has made his Servants sensible that it will be with them to eternity, according as they improve their moment here. If they spend their time well, so as to be alwayes doing good, they shall at the day of Judgement become the Subjects of an exceeding and eternal weight of glory. They that know this, it is not to be wondred at, if they are unwilling to lose precious time, in sitting with vain persons.
Use 1. This may inform us of the great evil which is in that iniquity of sinful company keeping.
Familiar society with vain persons, is certainly a great sin. The evil of it appears, from several considerations.
1. In that it is not the spot of Gods Children.
Though a godly man under temptation may be carried away with this iniquity for a time, yet grace will recover him out of it. They that shall continue to associate themselves with vain Companions, it may be said of them, as Deut. 32: 5. They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of His children It is not wont to be so, with those that are indeed the regenerate Children of God. Ever observe it, that upon true conversion there is a wonderful change in men as to the company which they delight in. We see it in Paul who were his Companions with whom he did associate himself before his conversion? they were men of a malignant spirit: such as would scoffe at the power of Godliness. But how was it after his Conversion? Then he essayes to joyn himself to the Disciples, Act. 9. 26 The men he once hated and mocked at, are now become most dear unto him. He prizeth communion with those most, whom in the time of his ignorance and unregeneracy, he had most despised. And there is no one thing, that is a greater discovery of the hearts and spirits of men, then the company which they chiefly delight in. A profane man, loveth to be with those that are profane. One that is only a moral man, will be willing to have such as are only so, for his most intimate companions. But a truly godly man, delights most in godly company. They then (whoever they be) that make vain persons their Familiars and greatest intimates, have cause to suspect and give others reason to suspect their sincerity.
2. Sinful company keeping is a Soul-ruining iniquity.
Therefore the wise man saith, Beware of it, lest thou get a snare to thy soul, Prov 22. 25. O the bloody desolation of Souls, which hath been the effect of this woful sin. Every man hath a Soul within him, which is more worth then the whole world. But thousands and millions there have been and are, that by keeping company with vain persons, have had their precious Souls lost, and destroyed, and damned for ever. The Scripture therefore saith, that a companion of fools shall be destroyed, Prov 13. 20. He that is a companion of vain persons, is in the broad way, which leadeth to destruction, and many there be that go therein, It is a lamentable thing; yea, that which deserveth to be bewailed with the briniest tears of blood; that many hopeful young men, have by falling in with bad company lost their souls and salvation. Time was, when they carried it well, but they met with vain companions, and these have been the eternal ruine of their souls. For thereby they have learned wayes of wickedness, which before they were not guilty of. They have learned to become Idle, Unclean, Swearers, Self-polluters, Adulterers; for the which sins, Wo unto their Souls. Mind what God in his word saith to thee, Prov. 22. 24. 25. Make no friendship with a furious man, thou shalt not go with him, lest thou learn his wayes. Thus God saith to thee; (and at the peril of thy Soul shall it be, if thou wilt not obey him) go not with a Drunkard lest thou learn his wayes; go not with an Unclean person, lest thou learn his wayes, and thy soul within thee mourn at last. But wo and alas! for many a poor creature, that evil companions have been his Counsellors, unto both his temporal and his eternal ruine. It is noted concerning Abaziah, that they of the house of Ahab were his Counsellers after his Fathers death, to his destruction, 2 Chron. 22. 4. He indeed had a wicked Father, but there is many a young man, born of godly Parents, that upon the death or absence of his Father, hath fallen into acquaintance and familiarity with vain persons, whose counsils he hath followed, to the everlasting destruction both of his body and soul. The Devil hath not a greater or more fearful and fatal Engine to destroy Souls by, then this of drawing them into bad company. As long as they continue amongst such, he is sure of them. Therefore men are called upon in the Scripture, as they desire salvation, to beware of familiar society with wicked ones, Act. 2. 40. Save your selves from this untoward Generation. Do you desire the salvation of your Souls? then renounce communion with an evil Generation of men, who are Enemies to the holy wayes of God. I conclude this particular with the words of Moses to the children of Israel Numb. 16. 26. He spake unto the Congregation, saying, depart I pray you from the Tents of these wicked men, lest you be consumed in all their sins. So let me say this day, If you have any love to, or desire of the salvation of your souls, I pray you, and warn you for your souls sake, that you would depart from the Tents of wicked men. Sit no longer with vain persons lest you be consumed in all their sins. The mouth of Destruction may swallow you up also, if Judgement find you in their company.
For 3. It is such an evil as doth hinder the conversion of Souls.
Alas how many! that their Souls have miscarried for ever, when others had hopes concerning them, as if they had been in the pangs of the new birth; and this evil hath been the cause of it. Some that have been under great awakenings of Conscience; God hath met with them in a Sermon, the Arrows of the Almighty have been within them; that they have thought with themselves they would forsake their sins, and become new Creatures; but they have gone into loose and vain company, and so lost all those convictions, yea and provoked God so, as that he hath said, his Spirit should strive no more with them. Th… is that, which keeps poor Creatures from coming up to the terms of the Gospel; that they do not sincerely close with Jesus Christ, when called upon to make sure of a… interest in him. Alas! they know not how to part with their vain Companions. If they might have Christ and sit with vain persons too, they would be Christians: but that can never he. What saith the Scripture, Eph 5. 14. Arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. Arise soul come away from thy dead Companions, if thou wouldst have Christ to give thee the light of Salvation But because distracted sinners will remain amongst the Graves, and lodge in the Monuments, and take pleasure in being amongst their dead and rotten Companions, they will not hearken to the call of Christ. Christ saith to the sinner, let the dead bury their dead, follow thou me. But his heart is so strangely besetted with love to his vain Companions, as that the calls of Christ in the Gospel, are not regarded. We see Men and Women sometimes, under mighty impressions from the Word and Spirit of God; there are many such in this place at this day. Would you know whether it be like to prove a saving work or no? Then mark this one thing; Are such persons got clear of their old vain Companions? if so, they are like to do well; for wisdome saith, Forsake the foolish and live, Prov 9. 6. If the Lord Jesus help thee, quite to forsake thy for ra… Companions, in sin and vanity, whom thou didst once delight in, and to endeavour after acquaintance with those that fear God, it is a sign that thou shalt live; For then the greatest snare in the World is broken: there is not a greater snare in the way to Conversion, and so in the way to Salvation, then that of vain Company; therefore if the Lord help thee to break through that snare of the fowler, there is great hope, that thou shalt escape with the life of thy soul, and be delivered from those snares of death and hell, which Satan seeks to take thee alive in.
4. Sinful Company-keeping will be bitterness in the latter end.
It ma… be in his life. Many a foolish creature, hath been brough… to great poverty, shame, and misery by this means. His Estate wasted, his Credit lost his …ealth impaired, his Friends and Relations (as we… as himself) brought into disgrace; and a… by his following the company of vain persons. To this purpose, doth the Scripture speak, Prov. 28. 7. He that is a companion of riotous men, shameth his Father: and in verse. 19. it is said, He that followeth after vain persons, shall have poverty enough. And the dismal experience of multitudes doth sadly confirm the Truth hereof. How few are there, amongst those that by Debaucheries have been brought from a flourishing state into a condition most wretched and rue…ul, (and many such instances these late sinful dayes have afforded) but if they be asked the reason, will tell you, i… was evil Company that did it? O…, however, this sin is like to prove bitter, upon a Death bed. Oh … that young men would consider of it, and hearken to the Word of the Lord this day. Shall I tell you what some young men in this place, have said upon death-beds; when they have felt their Souls going out of their bodies, and lanching into the infinite Ocean of Eternity. There have been some, that when I have seen them dying, and in great anguish of spirit, I have enquired of them what sin it was that did then most of all trouble them▪ and the Answer hath been, with a bitter and a do…ful cry, O that sin of Company keeping▪ Thats the evil that most of all troubleth me now I a… dying; thats it that hath drawn me into many other sins, whereby my Soul hath been ruined. Young men, think of it, and let it make you tremble to fall into bad company. And know you for certain, that without Repentance, your Company-keeping, will be bitterness after death for ever. For they that have been Companions in sinning in this World are like to be Companions in suffering, in another World for ever. Was it not said to …ezabel, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her, into great tribulation, Rev. 2. 22. They that have had their merry meetings, their riotings, their drinking bouts, their chambering and wantonness together, except they repent of their deeds, shall be cast together into a bed of great and everlasting Tribulation. Now they are for a short life and a merry, but they must wail like Dragons for it, when God shall break them together, in the place of Dragons, and cover their Souls with the shadow of eternal death.
Use 2. Hence men, especially professors of Religion, should beware of sitting with vain persons.
It is very sad, that there should be so much need for an Exhortation of this …a…ure as indeed there is. Alas! that as to the company which men keep, there is little difference to be observed between some Professors and the profane. Time was when it was otherwise; Men might have been known by their company as well as by any thing else. But how is it at this day? Are there not some Church Members that if a man would speak with them, he must look for them in some Tavern, or in some publick house, and there he shall find them amongst vain persons, mispending their precious time. Be astonished at this O ye Heavens.
Consider 1. You expose your selves unto great danger, by maintaining unnecessary companionship with vain persons.
You may please your selves with vain imaginations, that such persons shall receive good by being amongst them. But it is far more likely that you will receive hurt by them, th…n that they shall receive good by you. Can a man touch pitch and not be defiled? Can he have unnecessary communion with vain and vitious persons, and yet his Conscience not be polluted? Remember what Solomon saith, Prov. 6. 27, 28. Can a man take fire in his bosome and his clothes not be burnt? can one go upon hot coals and his feet not be burnt? Thou takest fire into thy bosome, when thou makest a vain person thy Companion; and burning is like to follow upon it. When God …n his word doth prohibit this or that Iniquity, therein is implied that men must absta…n from the Temptation leading thereunto, and therefore that they should beware of vain company, as they would not fall into sin, such company being a great & dangerous Temptation unto many sins. Be not so profane, as to plead Christs holy example in eating with Publicans and Sinners, as an encouragement to sit with vain persons… The Holy Son of God had no sin inherent in him, nor could he sin, or be overcome with any Temptation. When Satan came, he found nothing in him to fasten a temptation upon. But how much otherwise is it with thee? Tinder is not more subject to take fire, then thy corrupt heart is apt to be tainted, when the infectious sparks of temptation are flying about thee. There is danger also, in being amongst vain Companions left their sins should become thine. Men should make great Conscience of that Rule, 1 Tim. 5. 22. Neither be partaker of other mens sins, keep thy self pure. When thou fittest with vain persons, thou wilt hear them speak like themselves, vainly, and in…ead of reproving it, it may be thou wilt but laugh at it. So wilt thou become a partaker of their sins: And if so, how canst thou expect not to partake in their punishments? Come away then from amongst them, that ye be not partakers of their sins, and that ye receive not of their plagues, Rev. 18. 4. Did not Ah…ziah lose his life, because he was found in company with wicked Joram: Nay, I will suppose thee to be a godly man, one in whom good things are found, but thy godliness will not secure or save thee from temporal judgements, if thou art more intimate and familiar with vain persons, then doth become thy Religion and holy profession. Remember what the Prophet said to Jehoshaphat, 2 Chron. 19. 2. shouldst thou love those that hate the Lord; therefore wrath from the Lord is upon thee. So I say, shouldst thou sit with vain persons? shouldst thou frequent their houses? shouldst thou chuse to travel abroad with such companions? Therefore wrath from the Lord is upon thee.
Consider 2. You would not be with such company hereafter.
You would not chuse to be amongst such in the other world. You would be loth to go where their souls shall go at the hour of death. David having …aid, that he neither did nor would si… with the wicked, might well pray as in the ninth verse of this Psalm, Ga…er not my soul with sinners. Since I loved not their company her…, when I die let not my soul be gathered to that Hell where they must go. It is reported concerning Dr. Pre…ton, that when he was dying, he had that expression. I am perswaded God will not now send me to be amongst wicked men, for he knoweth, I did not delight in their company whilest in this World. Men at death are gathered to their people. They charge their place but not their company. A godly man, when he goeth out of this World is gathered to his People, his Soul goeth to be with the Souls of those that he most of all delighted to be with here. And when a wicked man dieth, he goeth to his People, his Soul is then gathered with sinners, he is carried away to be amongst the Spirits that are in Prison. If you would not be amongst them after death, do not chuse to be amongst them now. And you would not be found amongst such company at the day of Judgement. When vain companions, shall all stand at the left hand of Jesus Christ the Son of God and Judge of the World, at the last and great day, you would be loth to be seen amongst them then. And will you …it with them now? Know you not, that when you chuse your Companions you chuse for Eternity. The persons that now you are most familiar with, you are like to be with them throughout the dayes of Eternity.
By way of Direction here:
1. If you be at any time called to be in company with vain persons be sure to demean your selves as becometh those that profess Godliness.
Set an Example of gravity and holiness before them, that they may not have any occasion to say, These Professors of Religion, these Church… members, are like one of us. Have no fellowship with their sin and vanity, but reprove th… rather, Eph. 5. 11. And then you will find, that they will care as little for your company, as you do for theirs, Prov. 29. 27. An unjust man is an abomination to the Just, and be that is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked.
2. Get acquaintance with Jesus Christ:
Be familiar with him: yea, let your conversation be such, as that it may appear, that you have been with Jesus. And if you have been with him, you will not desire vain-fellowship. Christ saith, he that cometh to me shall never thirst, Joh. 6. 35. He will find that sweetness in Christ as shall take his heart off from other Objects, that he shall thirst after the world, and after worldly vain Companions no more.
O therefore let us endeavour after more acquaintance with God, and with Jesus Christ… whom to know is life Eternal.