The works of the reverend and faithful servant of Jesus Christ M. Richard Greenham,…The workes of the reuerend and faithfull seruant af Iesus Christ M. Richard Greenham,…

Vers. 7. Depart from a fool when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.

Vers. 7. Depart from a foole when thou perceiuest not in him the lips of knowledge.

GOD hath ordained that men should live together, that one might be helpful to another. But there is a nearer bond of friendship, when one entereth into league with another,¹ or when one maketh choice of another, for some nearer bond of friendship, affinity, or such like. And because this bond cannot stand, but where there is a great likeness of conditions and qualities, and it is commonly seen that the party better affected is sooner changed: therefore in this place we be admonished to beware, least at any time we join our selves to those that are foolish and ungodly. Not that it is altogether unlawful to have any dealing with them: but that we may not come too near unto them. For to² eat and drink with them, to dwell in the same town by them, and such other common duties, be not unlawful. But to join in marriage with them, to make them privy to ⟨p. 625⟩to our counsels, or to use them as more near and special friends, this is unlawful, and this is here forbidden. For little or no good at all can be gotten by them, they will hardly or not at all be brought to goodness, and such is their subtlety, that one of them is able to pervert the faith, or at least to corrupt the manners of very many. Good cause therefore there is why we should depart and get our selves from them: on the contrary side we be taught to seek out good company, and to join our selves to them as nearly as may be, yet with this full purpose of heart, that we may receive fruit and profit by them. Nature doth call upon us to do this; the communion of Saints requires it at our hands, our own profit should compel us, the examples of every man in each calling may move us thereunto. For men do desire to be in company of their betters: the scholar would be in company of him that is better learned: the worshipful man desireth the company of the noble man, and the honourable delighteth much in the favour of the Prince. Yea in the basest occupations and handicrafts, men do still desire to be in the company of them that are most skilful. And all this is to obtain the knowledge of earthly things, and the favour of them that can help them; how much more then should we desire the company one of another, that we might be helpful one to another in heavenly things? Nay, how entirely should we be joined one to another, and receive good one by another in all kind of goodness?