Works, Chapter 3
CHAP. III. How a Christian may exercise himself to Godliness, in evil Company.
Malorum consortia fugere debemus, quoad privatam consuetudinem, non quoad publicam conversationem; corde, non corpore, Amb. Offic. lib. 1. cap. 20.HAving spoken to the Choice of Companions; I proceed (Reader) to thy Carriage in Company, and first in evil Company.
Though evil men are not to be the object of a Christians choice or delight, yet he must sometimes fall into their Company, or go out of the world, 1 Cor. 5. 10. Our Relations, or Vocations, or Offices of Charity, which we owe to the worst of men, will command our presence now and then amongst them; Civil commerce with them is lawf…l, though intimate communion be sinful. Its certain, the less we have of their society, the more of safety; but because civility, and our necessities require us sometimes to be with them,A malis corde semper disjungimini, ad tempas caute corpore copulemini. Aug. l. de Salut. document. Christianity must help us (as a glass-window, to let in the light, and keep out the rain,) to get what good we may, and to prevent the hurt they intend. God in the first creation separated the light from the darkness, and so must the godly man amongst wicked persons. Swine will be cleanly in a fair Meadow; Sinners civil sometime… in the society of Saints; but Christians must keep their garments unspotted, when they walk in dirty places, and amongst defiled persons. Godliness will be thy best armour to ward off those blows, and hinder those wounds, which those sons of violence and villany would cause in thee. A wise Physitian, whatsoever diseased Patients he goeth amongst, will take some preservative, but if he be to go into a Pest-house, an Antidote. It will be a sign of an excellent complexion, if thou canst walk (as occasion is) in the Sun, and not be tanned. The Romans had a Law, that every one, where ever he went, should wear a badge of his profession, or trade, either on his garment, or in his hat, that he might be known. Christianity must be owned in every company, as that which is our great and worthy calling. The Nobleman carrieth his Garter, or George with him in all places, because he esteems them his g…ory and honour, and if he be of the blood royal, he desireth that all may take notice of it. O what an honour and happiness is it to be a Christian, to be related to Iesus Christ, and how willing shouldst thou be to own and acknowledge it as the badge of thine honour, amongst all persons… He is a base servant that is ashamed of his Lords livery. Its said of the Teal, a certain wild Beast i… AEthiopia, Plin. Nat. …ist. l. 8. c. 21.that he hath two hornes of a Cubit long, which he moveth as he pleaseth, either both forward to offend his enemy, or both backward to defend himself, or one forward, and the other backward to both uses at once. A Christian in evil company should be as wise as a Serpent, that he do not bring himself into suffering, but yet as innocent as a Dove, that others do not draw him to sin. Walk as prudently as thou canst, onelyonly walk piously. Use as much caution as thou wilt, but be sure thou keepest a good conscience.
The Apostle gives a special precept for our pious carriage in such Company, Walk wisely towards them that are without, Col. 4. 5. In which words the qualification of the act, and the specification of the subject are considerable.
1. The qualification of the act, walk wisely, that is, graciously, Grace is Wisdom. To fear God is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding; He who walketh in the Law of the Lord, and according to the rule of the word, is the wise walker, Job 28. 28. Psa. 119. 1. Gal. 16. 16. Whatsoever our company be, we must walk by precept, not by pattern; He may be a good Courtier, but he is a bad Christian; that alters and orders his carriage according to his company; If like Musicians, we play no lessons, but what the company calls for, and what pleaseth them, our musick will be harsh and jarring in Gods ears; If I please men, saith Paul, I am not the servant of Christ, Gal. 1. 10. He walks foolishly, that to please a few weak dying Men, displeaseth the jealous and Almighty God; He walks wisely, who will be sure who ever be offended, to please him, upon whose favour his life and all his comforts depend.
2. The specification of the Subject; towards them that are without. Wicked men are said to be without;
1. Because they are visibly without the Church; scandalous sinners proclaim to the world, that they are not so much as visible members of Christ. What have I to do, to judge them that are without? Do not ye judge them that are within? but them that are without God judgeth, 1 Corinth. 5. 12, 13.
2. Because they are really without God and Christ; God may be in their mouths, and they may call him Father, but he is far from their hearts, and will never own them fo… his Children; That at that time ye were without Christ, and with out God in the world, Ephes. 2. 12.
3. Because they shall go at last without Heaven. This followeth from the former; They being visibly without the Church, and really without God and Christ, must needs be without Heaven. Without are Dogs, Children onelyonly are within doors, Rev. 22. 15. Luk. 13. 25. The manner of the Apostles expression is worth our observation, he saith not, Walk with them; No, they ought not to be our Companions, but walk wisely towards them; Let them be the object of your caution; as if he had said, I know your callings, or relations, or some occasions or other will bring you into the Company of many that are not Members of the Church Militant, and shall be excluded the Church Triumphant; but take heed to your selves, that ye keep good consciences in such company, that ye defile not your own souls, by being partaker of their sins; be watchful that ye give no offence to them, and that ye take no infection from them. Walk wisely towards them that are without.