Armor of Proof, Section 28
§. 28.
FOurthly. But admit we could keep them company without harm; yet this inconvenience would ensue, their company would bereave us of much good, which otherwise we should enjoy, being alone; it faring with the godly wise, as with Saint Ambrose, who was wont to say, I am never lesse alone, then when I am all alone, for then I can enjoy the presence of my God without interruption. They are able to say, as Dubartus, and (before him) Scipio, I have never better company, then when I have no company, for then can I freely entertain my own thoughts, and converse with all the learned, which have been in former ages.
Antisthenes being asked what fruit he had reaped of all his study? made answer, I have learned by it, both to live, and walk with my selfe. And Alphonsus King of Arragon being demanded, what company he liked best? replyed, Bookes, for these (saith he) without feare, or flattery, or any reward, tell me faithfully all that I desire to know. Cicero was, and I am of his mind, and though I be no Hermit, to sit away my daies in a dull Cell, yet will I choose, rather to have no companion then a bad one.
When Cato Utican, in vacation times, and at his best leasure, went to recreate himself in the country, he used to cary with him the best Philosophers, and choisest bookes. Algerius an Italian Martyr said, He had rather be in prison with Cato, then with Caesar in the Senate house: so was it more comfortable, to be with Philpot in his Cole-house, then with Bonner in the Palace: Boner's conscience made his Palace a Cole-house, and a dungeon; whiles Philpot's made the Cole-house a Palace. The state of grace is Heaven upon earth; and he that knows the sweetness of Gods presence, will deem it more tollerable to be ever alone, then never able to be so.
When I read of Hiero the Tyrant of Syracusa, and other such, that gave over their Kingdoms, to live a solitary life, I somewhat wonder: I should not, to hear of a religious and Christian King that did so. It is impossible for the natural man to be so merry, in company; as the believer alone; yea, saith S. Augustine, the teares of those that pray, are sweeter then the joy s of the Theater. Indeed, a witty j…st may make a man laugh more, and lowder: b…t he who hath an inheritance fallen to him, feeles a more solid joy within: so he that enjoyes his Saviour, and hath the a…ir…ance of Heaven, is truly merry at the heart, and keepes Hilary …earme all his life. And indeed, nothing in the world is worth envie, besides the condition of a true Ch…istian.
But to what end doe I tell a blind man, how glorious and bright a creature the Sun is? or a poor man, what summes of money are in the Kin…s Exchequers? To so many as are unrenewed I speake in Parabl…s, Revel. 2. 17. Yea, this seemes to them a Paradox, that the people of God should be a merry people: for contrariwise, they dream of nothing but solitarin…, and melancholly: as the common people thought Tulli to be most idle, when he stadied most: or as the Husbandman in AEsope objected idlenesse to the Poe…: b…t as he replyed, I am never so idle as in thy company, so may the religious, we are ever so solitary, never so melancholly; as when in society with you that are vicious. This was David's case, which maketh him cry out, Wo is me, that I must remain in Meseck, and dwell in the Tents of Kedar: he found it a heavy yoke to be yoked with irreligious companions.
And a double reason may be given of it, though we fear not to saffer either in our persons, goods, or good names (as before you have it.) For fi…st, the soule that lives among thornes, shall hardly thrive, they are such Backbva…es to a godly life, that they will do what they can, to hinder our goodness to Heaven, and the goodness of Heaven to us; they will wither all our good pa…s and qualities which are in us; like an evil North-wind, they blow upon the buds of our graces, and nip them.
2. Secondly, It would make a mans heart to bleed, to hear and consider, how swearing, blaspheming, cursed speaking, railing, slandering, quarrelling, contending, jesting, mocking, scoffing, flattering, lying, dissembling, vain, corrupt, and filthy scolding, scurrilous, loose and idle talking, doth overflow with them in all places: so that such as fear God, had better be any where then in the company of most men. Now I were mad if I should so affect company, as to live voluntarily where vexations shall daily salute me.
Indeed, a man is not rightly said to live, untill he hath abandoned wicked society. Similis having lived seven yeers apart from the World, after a long time spent in a military life, he left this Epitaph behind him, Here lies old Similis, yet one that lived but seeven yeers, This made Frederick the third, Elector Palatine, when some such friends of his desired his company, to answer, I have lived enough to you; let me now live to my self, and with my Lord Christ, Yea, Saint Augustine, ten dayes before he dyed, desired none might come to him, that so, in that time, he might the better fit himself for God. And indeed that soule can never enjoy God, that is not sometimes retired.
O that we could, in any reasonable time; give a stop to our madding and …traying fancies: that we could, after so long time spent in the lusts of the flesh, and pride of life, bring home our cogitations and intentions unto our selves, …nake off these violent hold-fasts, bid our companions farewel, which have too …ong engaged our soules, and estranged us from our selves.
But when we are so we…ded, combined, and glewed to the world, it is no easie matter to make a safe retreat: it is a fleaing to some to be sundred; thereby you pal away some … of themselves.
In this case, what we cannot do all at once, let us gain upon our selves by degrees; go back step by step; first, block up one passage, then another. Will you know what course Demostheness took in this case? He, to the end that his … and nearest friends might not (by carying him abroad, according to their custome) withdraw him from his study and books, caused the hair of his head to …; and after took an order, that they should not peep out, … he had shook off his consorts, by continually making them loose their …. It were happy for our young stu…ents, if they would a little imitate him; if they were not overmuch affected and addicted to company keeping; if they would but consider, that friends are the thieves of time, the most precious jewel they can part withall.