7. Choice of friends. I dare appeal to all experienced Christians, whether ever they met with lively Christians, that carried it like Christians without some warming of their hearts with love to God, and Godliness; the truth is, Christian-conference hath the most speedy and effectual efficacy, of any Ordinance of God whatsoever. Do therefore in Religion as you do in other things, e.g. If you meet with a Physician, all your discourse shall be something about your health. If you meet with a Traveller, you are presently inquisitive about the places he hath seen. Why should not Christians when they meet, converse like Christians, and presently fall into a Heavenly Dialogue. Christians, this you know, there must be a forsaking of all wicked company, ere you can pretend the least love to Christ, (mistake me not) I do not mean that the bonds of Family-relations must presently be broken, that Husbands and Wives, Parents and Children, Masters and Covenant-servants must presently separate, if one of them be ungodly; No, where the relation is such, as cannot be dissolved without sin; then those that are Godly, must converse with the ungodly, as Physicians with their sick patients. But this is it I say, you must not willingly and out of choice make Gods Enemies your familiar Friends. Those that are always speaking well of God, insensibly draw out their hearts in love to him. When Christ's Spouse(u) had told the Daughters of Jerusalem what Christ was more than others, they presently offer themselves to seek him with her; as evil communication (w)corrupts good manners, so good communication corrects evil manners. In short, you cannot but observe, that none is able to hear any one spoken against whom they love; and that every one delights to speak and hear of whom they love; so that here you have a means to inflame, an employ to exercise, and a touchstone to try your love to God.
7. Choice of friends. I dare appeal to all experienc'd Christians, whether ever they met with lively Christians, that carried it like Christians without some warming of their hearts with love to God, and Godliness; the truth is, Christian-conference hath the most speedy and effectual efficacy, of any Ordinance of God whatsoever. Do therefore in Religion as you do in other things, e.g. If you meet with a Physician, all your discourse shall be something about your health. If you meet with a Traveller, you are presently inquisitive about the places he hath seen. Why should not Christians when they meet, converse like Christians, and presently fall into a Heavenly Dialogue. Christians, this you know, there must be a forsaking of all wicked company, e're you can pretend the least love to Christ, (mistake me not) I do not mean that the bonds of Family-relations must presently be broken, that Husbands and Wives, Parents and Children, Masters and Covenant-servants must presently separate, if one of them be ungodly; No, where the relation is such, as cannot be dissolved without sin; then those that are Godly, must converse with the ungodly, as Physicians with their sick patients. But this is it I say, you must not willingly and out of choice make Gods Enemies your familiar Friends. Those that are alwayes speaking well of God, insensibly draw out their hearts in love to him. When Christ's Spouse(u) had told the Daughters of Jerusalem what Christ was more than others, they presently offer themselves to seek him with her; as evil communication (w)corrupts good manners, so good communication corrects evil manners. In short, you cannot but observe, that none is able to hear any one spoken against whom they love; and that every one delights to speak and hear of whom they love; so that here you have a means to enflame, an imploy to exercise, and a touchstone to try your love to God.
- (u)Cant 5.9. &c 6.1.
- (w)1 Cor. 15.33.
