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

Finally, it is a notable help unto a godly life, because it is a powerful ¹means to restrain and pull us back, when as we are ready to fall into any sin. In which regard that wise heathen man persuadeth his friend, to suppose some grave man to be present when he was alone, because men would not easily offend, if there were always some by to be witnesses of their faults. And one of the Ancients useth it as a reason to dissuade from a solitary life; because thereby we become more prone to sin; seeing that evil, which none seeth, none rebuketh; and where there is none to reprehend, both the tempter assaulteth more securely, and the offence is committed more licentiously. If thou doest any good things in good company, no man prohibiteth. But if thou wilt do evil, thou art not suffered; for presently thou art by many observed, reproved, and amended; whereas contrariwise, ⟨p. 660⟩if they behold any good, they all admire it, honour and imitate it. In which respect also, good company doth no more forcibly restrain us from evil, then incite and provoke us unto that which is good. For as iron sharpeneth iron, so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his ²friend; that is, one friend by the presence of another, is whetted on and provoked to do such good duties as deserve his approbation. In which respect the Apostle exhorteth Christians to observe one another, that they may whet and sharpen each other to love and good works. For if even