Some general directions for a comfortable walking with God delivered in the lecture at…Some generall directions for a comfortable walking with God deliuered in the lecture at…

3. Thirdly, a good man conversing with those which be graceless, doth very foully distaine and obscure, if not quite lose his Christian reputation and credit with good men; for a man is still reputed to be of their humour and conditions, with whom he doth ordinarily and intimately converse. All flesh, saith the Wise man, consorteth according to kind, and a man will clean to his like. What fellowship hath the Wolfe with the Lamb? so the sinner with the godly. Now it is a most disgraceful and discomfortable thing, to be justly cast out of the conceits and good opinions of judicious and understanding Christians. I would have a Christian never much trouble himself, or labour with too much curiosity and intrusion, too anxiously, vexingly, and solicitously to give the world satisfaction, for the unjust censures, and disconceites of witless and worthless profaneness; (only he may thence take occasion to examine his heart more narrowly, to walk more warily, to live more holily, and pray more heartily.) Let profane men rage, and swell, and burst, in despite of gall, I would have him sweetly and calmly to enjoy those blessed comforts, which Gods compassionate hand hath put into his heart. But me-thinks, he should much take to heart, and be very sorry for the just dislike and disconceit of true Christians, or for any scandal taken upon good ground, from unadvisedness and aberration in his carriage and conversation. As the Christian then desires to be dearly esteemed of the godly, and tenders the preservation of his good name with good men; which is rather to be chosen than great riches, Prou. 22. 1. than precious Ointment, Eccles. 7. 1. and maketh ⟨p. 81⟩the bones fat, Prou. 15. 30. which indeed is the most inestimable Jewell he possesseth in this life, next unto his own Crown of Christianity: I say, as he would maintain and uphold a good opinion and conceit of him, in the hearts and consciences of Christians, let him fly the company of profane men: for there is no reason he should be reputed Gods friend, who converses familiarly with his profest enemies.

3. Thirdly, a good man conuersing with those which be gracelesse, doth very foully distaine and obscure, if not quite lose his Christian reputation and credit with good men; for a man is still reputed to bee of their humour and conditions, with whom he doth ordinarily and intimately conuerse. All flesh, saith the Wise man, consorteth according to kinde, and a man will cleane to his like. What fellowship hath the Wolfe with the Lambe? so the sinner with the godly. Now it is a most disgracefull and discomfortable thing, to bee iustly cast out of the conceits and good opinions of iudicious and vnderstanding Christians. I would haue a Christian neuer much trouble himselfe, or labour with too much curiositie and intrusion, too anxiously, vexingly, and sollicitously to giue the world satisfaction, for the vniust censures, and disconceites of witlesse and worthlesse prophanenesse; (only he may thence take occasion to examine his heart more narrowly, to walke more warily, to liue more holily, and pray more heartily.) Let prophane men rage, and swell, and burst, in despight of gall, I would haue him sweetely and calmely to enioy those blessed comforts, which Gods compassionate hand hath put into his heart. But me-thinks, he should much take to heart, and be very sorry for the iust dislike and disconceit of true Christians, or for any scandall taken vpon good ground, from vnaduisednesse and aberration in his carriage and conuersation. As the Christian then desires to be dearely esteemed of the godly, and tenders the preseruation of his good name with good men; which is rather to be chosen than great riches,