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…

1. First, of profit, and good to the party absent. For instance; Thou informest thy friend of a third man; telling him, that he begins to break out into bad courses, ill company, infamous haunts and houses; and so proceedest to a more particular and punctual discovery of his lewd pranks and exorbitant carriage: but all this purposely for the benefit of the party. And therefore thou entreatest thy present friend, that he would interpose, engage, and improve the utmost of that power and interest which he hath in his affections, dependence, or some nearer relation, for his reclaiming and amendment.

1. First, of profit, and good to the partie absent. For instance; Thou informest thy friend of a third man; telling him, that hee begins to breake out into bad courses, ill companie, infamous haunts and houses; and so proceedest to a more particular and punctuall discouerie of his lewd pranks and exorbitant carriage: but all this purposely for the benefit of the partie. And therefore thou intreatest thy present friend, that he would interpose, ingage, and improoue the vtmost of that power and interest which he hath in his affections, dependance, or some neerer relation, for his reclaiming and amendment.

2. Of expediency for him that heareth: when he is any way in danger of injury or infection, from the cunning, or corruption of the party spoken of. For instance: Thou discernest and observest some sly, smooth companion, under a cloak of Profession, and formal colour of conformity to the best things, to insinuate into liking and acceptation with thine ususpecting Christian friend: whereupon thou foreseest, that if he go on without notice and discovery, and get once within him; a thousand to one, at length he will either cunningly prey upon him, or cursedly betray him. Now in this case, thou mayest lawfully lay out such a counterfeit in his colours, and for prevention of the mischief which might ensue upon such a dangerous insinuation, disclose unto thy friend his hollowness and halting, and that lewdness ⟨p. 142⟩and knavery which he guilds over in the mean time, with a veil of seeming, and varnish of hypocrisy; but is wont, when once he hath attained his end, or acted his villainy, to throw away his visor. For such fellows there are abroad in the world, who purposely mix and join themselves with Gods children, hang upon, and adhere unto true Christians, as men from whom by reason of the singleness of their hearts, and charitable unsuspiciousness, they may either directly or by accident suck out the greatest advantage.