A41668:607
The young man's guide through the wilderness of this world to the heavenly Canaan…
The young man's guide through the wilderness of this world to the heavenly Canaan showing him how to carry himself Christian-like in the whole course of his life / by Tho. Gouge ...The young man's guide through the wilderness of this world to the heavenly Canaan shewing him how to carry himself Christian-like in the whole course of his life / by Tho. Gouge ...
London: printed by S. and B.G. for Nevil Simmons, 1676
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.
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.
There is a secret and bewitching power in profane company, to impoyson and pervert even the best disposition, sin being of a contagious nature, more infectious than the Plague; and the Soul much more catching of the contagion of sin, than the body of any infectious disease. It is a thing of great difficulty, ordinarily and intimately to converse with wicked men, and not to be tainted with their sins. For besides that they are apt to infect others, we are very apt to receive the infection, having the seeds of all sins remaining in us. Joseph though he were a Virtuous Young Man, yet living in the Kings Court, soon learned to swear ordinarily by the Life of Pharaoh, Gen. 42. 13, 14.
There is a secret and bewitching power in prophane company, to impoyson and pervert even the best disposition, sin being of a contagious nature, more infectious than the Plague; and the Soul much more catching of the contagion of sin, than the body of any infectious disease. It is a thing of great difficulty, ordinarily and intimately to converse with wicked men, and not to be tainted with their sins. For besides that they are apt to infect others, we are very apt to receive the infection, having the seeds of all sins remaining in us. Ioseph though he were a Vertuous Young Man, yet living in the Kings Court, soon learned to swear ordinarily by the Life of Pharaoh,