Instruction to them that sincerely affect understanding, and Use. truly desire to be made wise to salvation, that they do not only read good books, frequent divine service & hear good sermons, but likewise keep good company: for that is also one ordinance of God for the information of men in his ways. He would have Joshua prepared for government by Moses, and Elisha for prophetship by Elijah, and the disciples for Apostleship by Christ. The schools of the prophets were fit seminaries for the ministry that was under the law, and the universities are meet nurseries for the ministry that is under the Gospel, and godly society hath bin a forcible help to Christian conversation at all times. What is desirable that is not therein to be found? They whose minds are ignorant, may there have a daily market to buy knowledge, ⟨p. 61⟩and that good cheap with diligent attention without any money, or charges. They which are distracted with doubts, may there have means for their resolution, to rid them out of their perplexities. They which are dull and lumpish, may there find such quickening, as whereby their spirits shall be made fresh and lively. They which are in fears and anguish, may there recover comfort, and be delivered from their agony and terrors. And as much heedfulness is to be used for the abandoning of bad companions, least they be means to quench good desires in them as fast as the godly kindle them. These which would be saved from damnation S. Peter admonisheth to save themselves from a froward generation. 2. This doth teach men wariness, & great circumspection1 for their houses, that they give not entertainment to wicked fools that will infect their families with the leprosy of lewdness▪ One sinful servant that dwelleth in their house: or one graceless guest that haunteth their house, may quickly pervert their whole household, as a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. We are so provident for our beasts, that we will not permit such others as have contagious diseases to eat with them, or to stand with them, & shall we be less careful for our, friends, for our servants, for our children, for our yokefellows, for our selves for the state of our souls? Shall plaguy persons have liberty to open their botches, and carbuncles, among our people, and in our presence, and at our very tables?
Jnstruction to them that sincerely affect vnderstanding, and Vse. truly desire to be made wise to saluation, that they do not onely read good books, frequent diuine seruice & heare good sermons, but likewise keep good company: for that is also one ordinance of God for the information of men in his waies. He would haue Iosua prepared for gouernment by Moses, and Elisha for prophetship by Elijah, and the disciples for Apostleship by Christ. The schooles of the prophets were fit seminaries for the ministery that was vnder the law, and the vniuersities are meete nurceries for the ministery that is vnder the Gospell, and godly society hath bin a forcible helpe to Christian conuersation at all times. What is desirable that is not therein to be found? They whose minds are ignorant, may there haue a dayly market to buy knowledge, ⟨p. 61⟩and that good cheape with diligent attention without any money, or charges. They which are distracted with doubtes, may there haue meanes for their resolution, to ridde them out of their perplexities. They which are dull and lumpish, may there finde such quickning, as whereby their spirits shall be made fresh and liuely. They which are in feares and anguish, may there recouer comfort, and be deliuered from their agonie and terrours. And asmuch heedfulnesse is to be vsed for the abandoning of bad cō panions, least they be meanes to quench good desires in them as fast as the godly kindle them. These which would be saued from damnation S. Peter admonisheth to saue themselues frō a froward generation. 2. This doth teach men warines, & great circumspection1 for their houses, that they giue not entertainment to wicked fooles that will infect their families with the leprosy of lewdnes▪ One sinfull seruant that dwelleth in their house: or one graceles ghest that haunteth their house, may quickly peruert theire whole houshould, as a little leauen leaueneth the whole lump. We are so prouident for our beasts, that we will not permit such others as haue contagious diseases to eate with thē, or to stād with them, & shall we be lesse carefull for our, frinds, for our seruāts, for our children, for our yokefellowes, for our selues for the state of our soules? Shall plaguy persons haue liberty to open their botches, and carbuncles, among our people, and in our presence, and at our very tables?
- 1Act. 2. 40.
