A plain and familiar exposition of the thirteenth and fourteenth chapters of the Proverbs…A plaine and familiar exposition of the thirteenth and fourteenth chapters of the Prouerbs…

Reproof of them that make no difference of any company, the §2worst are as welcome to them as the best, & fools as much made of, as wise men. Either they know not wisdom, or desire it not; either they discern not of folly, or fear it not, otherwise they would not as much affect of an unsavoury stink, as a comfortable wellspring. And many are justly to be charged with this fault, who having choice of services, or habitations, or matches, consider not where are the godliest people to converse with, but where is the greatest wages or most commodity to be gained, and so many place themselves or their children oftentimes in Sodom it self, among Papists, and idolaters, among the blasphemers, & Sabbath breakers, among whoremongers and drunkards, among all sorts of wicked persons. ⟨p. 62⟩Some adjoin themselves to such as neighbours, some as servants, some as yoke fellows, of whom it may be truly said according to the proverb, that they get the devil and all. And this is a sin so much the more heinous, if they be delighted with these venomous companions. As it is to be observed in a number, that no wine is so sweet unto them, as the company and talk of ruffians, and scoffers, and no vinegar so tart, as the presence and conference of such as fear God.

Reproof of them that make no difference of any company, the §2worst are as welcome to them as the best, & fools as much made of, as wise men. Either they know not wisedome, or desire it not; either they discerne not of folly, or feare it not, otherwise they would not asmuch affect of an vnsauory stinck, as a comfortable welspring. And many are iustlie to bee charged with this fault, who hauing choise of seruices, or habitations, or matches, consider not where are the godliest people to conuerse with, but where is the greatest wages or moste commodity to be gained, and so many place themselues or their children oftentimes in Sodome it selfe, among Papists, and idolaters, among the blasphemers, & Sabbath breakers, amōg whoremongers and drunkards, among all sortes of wicked persons. ⟨p. 62⟩Some adioyne themselues to such as neighbours, some as seruants, some as yoke fellowes, of whome it may be truely saide according to the prouerbe, that they gette the diuell and all. And this is a sinne so much the more hainous, if they bee delighted with these venemous companions. As it is to bee obserued in a number, that no wine is so sweete vnto them, as the company and talke of ruffians, and scoffers, and no vineger so tart, as the presence and conference of such as feare God.