A Treatise of Conversion, Chapter 7 · Section 5
SECT. V.
Direction 2. THe second Direction therefore that I shall give you, is this: Do all that you can to avoid the company of those that would hinder you, and to live in the company of those that would help you, in the matters of your salvation. I do not mean that a servant that is bound should go from his Master before he hath served according to their Agreement. Nor that a child should forsake his Parents that are ungodly; Nor that a woman should forsake her husband, or a man his wife on this account; for here they are not at their own choice, but are fixed to their Relations, which tie them to Duty and faithfulness in their Places; But I mean, that no man should willingly cast himself into evil company, that can avoid it▪ Particularly. 1. If a master be to take a servant, take not such as are ungodly, if you can have better: If a servant be to chuse a master, come not into an ungodly Family▪ if you can help it. If young people be intended to marry, take heed of being yoked unequally, 2 Cor. 6. 14. And joyning your selves with the members of the Devil, and the enemies of Christ, and those that are likely to be hinderers of your salvation, and so to prove the damnation of your souls. You will be backward enough and bad enough in the best company that you can get; what then will you be in the worst? especially when it is so near you, and continually with you, and that of your own choice. I confess a Minister or other Christian when he hath a call to endeavour the good of such, and to reprove their sin, may go among them as a Physitian among the sick; and so did Christ himself when he was on earth: but to make them our companions willingly, we may not. Grace is hardly got, and hardly kept, and more hardly encreased in such company as this.
On the other side, get into the company of such as will further you, Prov. 10. 20, 21. The tongue of the Just is as choice silver; the heart of the wicked is little worth; the lips of the Righteous feed many, but fools die for want of wisdom, 32. The lips of the Righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness, Prov. 14. 7. Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge. If you were children of God your selves, you would Delight in those that are such: For, by this we know that we are translated from death to life, because we love the Brethren. And David saith, That the Saints on the earth, and the excellent are all his Delight, Psalm 16. 3. get therefore if it be possible, into the company of such: with them you shall hear that which may humble you for sin, and you shall hear that of Christ which may tend to kindle the Love of him in your breasts; and you shall hear that of the goodness of God, and his way, and the Priviledge of the Saints; the precious Promises of the Gospel, the life of Grace, and the hopes of everlasting glory which may make your hearts to burn within you. When you live with those that by their Example disgrace sin to you, and draw you from it, and watch over you against it, and that will be still minding you of those Truths that should sanctifie your hearts, Oh what an advantage is this to your Salvation! If you be ignorant, they will teach you; if you are unskilful in prayer, or other holy Duties, they will help you by their instruction and example. Chuse therefore the best company you can get, if you be free, and all little enough. Live among that company on earth that you must live with in Heaven, if ever you come thither.