The Fountain of Life Opened

Inference 2.

¹Did Christ withdraw from the Disciples to seek God by prayer? Thence it follows, That the company of the best men, is not always seasonable.

¹Did Christ withdraw from the Disciples to seek God by prayer? Thence it follows, That the company of the best men, is not alwaies seasonable.

1. 1Infer. 2.

Peter, James and John, were three excellent men, and yet Christ saith to them tarry ye here, while I go and pray yonder. The society of men is beautiful in its season, and no better than a burden out of season. I have read of a good man, that when his stated time for closet prayer was come; he would say to the company that were with him, whatever they were; Friends I must beg your excuse ⟨p. 291⟩for a while, there is a friend waits to speak with me. The company of a good man is good, but it ceases to be so when it hinders the enjoyment of better company. One hour with God is to be preferred to a thousand days enjoyment of the best man on earth. If the dearest friends thou hast in the world intrude unseasonably betwixt thee and thy God, it's neither rude nor unmannerly to bid them give place to better company. I mean to withdraw from them as Christ did from the Disciples, to enjoy an hour with God alone. In public and private duties, we may admit of the company of others to join with us, and if they be such as fear God, the more the better; but in secret duties Christ and thee must whisper it over betwixt your selves. And then the company of the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend that is as thine own soul, would not be welcome. When thou prayest enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret,