The Soul's Preparation for Christ

The Second use is for instruction: from the former doctrine delivered, we may collect, that loose, vain, jovial company is the greatest hindrance to preparation for Christ, and the greatest obstacle to the work of grace that can be possible: this is not forced, but followeth clearly from the former truth, in this manner: thus I reason.

The Second use is for instruction: from the former doctrine delivered, we may collect, that loose, vaine, joviall company is the greatest hindrance to preparatiō for Christ, and the greatest obstacle to the worke of grace that can be possible: this is not forced, but followeth clearly from the former truth, in this manner: thus I reason.

That course which takes away the mind from musing, and the understanding from meditating on his evil way, that course is the greatest hindrance why the heart is not humbled, and fitted for the Lord, for meditation brings in contrition, and that prepares the heart for Christ: but your jovial company and rioting persons, there is nothing under heaven that takes off the mind more from musing, and the understanding from weighing a mans evil throughly, ⟨p. 96⟩therefore this must needs be a marvellous impediment, and hinderance to those that endeavour to walk uprightly before God in any measure, Amos. 6.5. There are rules of their revelry set down, they thrust and put away the day of the Lord far from them: that is the first law they make, the first statute they enact, think not of sin now, and meditate not of judgement now, but come (say they) cast care away, fling away and cashier those melancholy imaginations: we have many failings, let us not therefore be pondering of them, and make our selves so much the more miserable, this day shall be as yesterday, and to morrow as to day, no sorrow nor judgement, no sin now considered. And this is remarkable, and if a poor soul in that drunken distemper should be smitten by the hand of God, and should suggest these words to his drunken companions; We are all here merry and Jolly, and let out our hearts in delight, but for all this, God will bring us to judgement, the eyes of God seeth our now drinking and boozing, and the ear of God heareth our blasphemies and swearing; and for these we shall one day be plagued: why? this should spoil all the sport and jollity, they could not be able to bear him, but they would presently fling him out of doors: this is that which baneth many a soul, therefore take notice of it, if any of you have had a sight of sin, mark if a drunkard go aside & hang the wing a little, mark what men do, if they can but once get him into their company, & make