A Christian Directory

§. 34. Bad company is the common ruin of youth: Their own sensuality is easily stirred up by the temptations of the sensual; and their consciences over-born by the examples of other mens voluptuous lives: It emboldeneth them to sin, to see others sin before them: as Cowards themselves are drawn on in an Army to run upon the face of death, by seeing others do it, and to avoid the reproach of cowardice: And the noise of mirth and ranting language, are the Drums and Trumpets of the Devils, by which their ears are kept from hearing the cries of wounded dying men, the lamentations of those that have found the error of that way. And there is in corrupted nature, so strong an inclination to the prosperity and vain-glory of the world, that makes them quickly take the bait, especially when the Devil doth offer it them by a fit instrument, which shall not deter them, as it would do, if he had offered it them himself. It is a pleasant thing to flesh and blood to be rich and great, and generally applauded: and a grievous thing to be poor, and despised, and afflicted. The rawness also and unsettledness of youth, who want well furnished understandings and experience, is a great advantage to Heretics and deceivers, who still sweep many such away, wherever they come¹ and have but opportunity. Children are easily tossed up and down, and carried to and fro• with every wind of doctrine, by the cunning slight and subtlety of them that lye in wait to deceive, Ephes. 4. 14. Deceivers have their Methods; and Methods are the common instruments of deceit; which are not easily detected by the unexperienced. On the contrary, the benefit of wise, and staid, and sober, and peaceable, meek, humble, holy, heavenly companions, is exceeding great, especially to youth! Such will lead them in safe paths, and be still preserving them, and promoting the most necessary parts of knowledge, and quickening them to holy practice, which is the End of all.

§. 34. Bad company is the common ruine of youth: Their own sensuality is easily stirred up by the temptations of the sensual; and their consciences over-born by the examples of other mens voluptuous lives: It emboldneth them to sin, to see others sin before them: as Cowards themselves are drawn on in an Army to run upon the face of death, by seeing others do it, and to avoid the reproach of cowardize: And the noise of mirth and ranting language, are the Drums and Trumpets of the Devils, by which their ears are kept from hearing the cryes of wounded dying men, the lamentations of those that have found the error of that way. And there is in corrupted nature, so strong an inclination to the prosperity and vain-glory of the world, that makes them quickly take the bait, especially when the Devil doth offer it them by a fit instrument, which shall not deter them, as it would do, if he had offered it them himself. It is a pleasant thing to flesh and blood to be rich and great, and generally applauded: and a grievous thing to be poor, and despised, and afflicted. The rawness also and unsetledness of youth, who want well furnished understandings and experience, is a great advantage to Hereticks and deceivers, who still sweep many such away, whereever they come