A29369:291
Bridge's remains, being VIII sermons
Bridge's remains, being VIII sermons ... by that learned and judicious divine, Mr. William Bridge ...
London : Printed and are to be sold by John Hancock Senior and Junior ..., 1673
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Sermons › Sermon 4: OF GOOD AND BAD COMPANY, How to avoid the one, and improve the other.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
5ly. And if you would make a good and comfortable choice of your company, then in case you be a man, Let the friend of your bosom be a man, and not a woman, unless it be your Wife; and if you be a woman, then let the friend of your bosom be a woman, and not a man, unless it be your Husband; for if the special friendship be between a man and a woman, who knows how soon the spiritual friendship may degenerate into carnal affection; and if it may be, let your friend or companion stand upon even ground and a level with you; for the Germane Proverb is often true, He that will eat Cherries with Noblemen, shall have his eyes spurt out with the stones thereof. Therefore affect not company too high for you. But whatever degree your company be of, be sure that it be not such as will be apt to take an offence from you, nor such as you shall be apt to take an offence from; for then your society will always be uncomfortable. Thus do, and your choice shall be right.
5ly. And if you would make a good and comfortable choice of your company, then in case you be a man, Let the friend of your bosome be a man, and not a woman, unless it be your Wife; and if you be a woman, then let the friend of your bosome be a woman, and not a man, unless it be your Husband; for if the special friendship be between a man and a woman, who knows how soon the spiritual friendship may degenerate into carnal affection; and if it may be, let your friend or companion stand upon even ground and a level with you; for the Germane Proverb is often true, He that will eat Cherries with Noblemen, shall have his eyes spirt out with the stones thereof. Therefore affect not company too high for you. But whatever degree your company be of, be sure that it be not such as will be apt to take an offence from you, nor such as you shall be apt to take an offence from; for then your society will always be uncomfortable. Thus do, and your choice shall be right.
Quest. 3. Well, but suppose I have chosen good company, and I can say in truth with David here, I am a companion of all those that do fear thee, and do keep thy precepts; What shall I do, that I may improve my company? I praise God I have good company, but I do not know how to improve them; what shall I therefore do that I may improve my good company?