A guide to godliness or a Treatise of a Christian life showing the dutiesA guide to godlynesse or a Treatise of a Christian life shewing the duties

The last ordinary means of a godly life is, that we make good choice of our company, unto which two things are required: first, that we shun and avoid the society of the profane and wicked; the other is, that we consort our selves with the godly and religious. By the former we are not to understand that we must forbear the society of all, who are not as forward and zealous in their profession and practice as our selves, or who bewray in their course and conversation many infirmities and imperfections, as though those were to be esteemed wicked and profane, who have made but small progress in their sanctification, if any sparks of grace and goodness appear in them, though (as it were) raked up under the ashes of many and great corruptions; for then we should break the bruised reed, and quench the ¹smoking flax; and by our censorious neglect utterly discourage them in their first entrance into Christianity, and from making any further proceedings in the ways of godliness. Yea rather, if we can in the judgement of charity think, that the little good in them is in sincerity and truth, we must, as the Apostle exhorteth, take such unto us, and use all good means, in love and meekness, whereby we may ²draw them on by degrees to more perfection. For babes in Christ being unable to help themselves, had most need of tender cherishing, and those that are sick, having some life of grace in them, had most need of good Nurses and skilful Physicians, as our Saviour hath