Bridge's remains, being VIII sermons

1, That is not good company which the world calls good company, nor he a good companion which the world calls a good companion. If a man will drink and take off his Cups, he is a good Fellow in the mouth of the World. And if a man be a Jolly, Frolic, Merry man, that can make you laugh with some pretty Tales and Jests, he is a good companion; but if he be a good natured man, and will not be angry, then he is a good companion indeed. This is the worlds good company, or good companion, but I say, That is not good company which the world call good company.

1, That is not good company which the world calls good company, nor he a good companion which the world calls a good companion. If a man will drink and take off his Cups, he is a good Fellow in the mouth of the World. And if a man be a Jolly, Frolick, Merry man, that can make you laugh with some pretty Tales and Jests, he is a good companion; but if he be a good natured man, and will not be angry, then he is a good companion indeed. This is the worlds good company, or good companion, but I say, That is not good company which the world call good company.

2. Neither is that good company which a mans own engagements calls good company; if a man be a good man, and I have a mind to hate him, then I'll first ma•e him wicked, that there may be room for my hatred; if a man be a wicked man, and I have a mind to keep him company, or love him, then I'll first make him good, and say he is good, that there may ⟨p. 73⟩be room for my love and fellowship with him. It was a custom amongst the Jews, that the King should once in a year read over the chief part of Deuteronomy in the Audience of the people, and as their stories tell us, when Agrippa came to those words, One from among thy Brethren thou shalt set King over thee, thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, which is not thy Brother. Agrippa's eyes trickled down with tears, in remembrance that he was not of the seed of the Jews. Whereupon, saith the story, the people cried out three times, fear not Agrippa, for thou art our Brother. So that when men please they can for their own engagements make a man a Brother, and a good companion; but I say, That is not good company which my own judgment and engagement calls good company. But that is good company, which the Saints generally call good company, and that is good which the Scripture calls good company. Such are all those that do fear the Lord, and do keep his Precepts, for so saith David. I am a companion of all those that fear thee, and do keep thy Precepts.