The young man's guide through the wilderness of this world to the heavenly Canaan…

I. Avoid the Society of wicked men, which hath been the bane and ruin of thousands of Young Men. I do not say ⟨p. 134⟩that all manner of Society with graceless and profane persons is sinful and unlawful, and that thou oughtest not to come at all into their company, nor to have any intercourse and commerce with them in buying, selling, and the like. But thy care must be to avoid all intimate society and familiarity, yea, and all needless and unnecessary conversing with them.

I. Avoid the Society of wicked men, which hath been the bane and ruine of thousands of Young Men. I do not say ⟨p. 134⟩that all manner of Society with graceless and prophane persons is sinful and unlawful, and that thou oughts not to come at all into their company, nor to have any intercourse and commerce with them in buying, selling, and the like. But thy care must be to avoid all intimate society and familiarity, yea, and all needless and unnecessary conversing with them.

1. For first, It is exceeding dangerous without a just Warrant, and Calling, to be much in the company of wicked and profane men, especially such as are Scoffers of Religion, and Traducers of good men, who by their loose Conversation, and continual railing against Religion, and the Professors thereof, will take off thine heart from all love and delight in holy and Religious exercises, and work in thee a distaste and contempt of the ways of Godliness.

1. For first, It is exceeding dangerous without a just Warrant, and Calling, to be much in the company of wicked and prophane men, especially such as are Scoffers of Religion, and Traducers of good men, who by their loose Conversation, and continual railing against Religion, and the Professors thereof, will take off thine heart from all love and delight in holy and Religious exercises, and work in thee a distast and contempt of the ways of Godliness.