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

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, Gen. 42. 13, 14.

Common experience telleth us, how many hopeful Young Men, who have blossomed fairly, and brought forth some good fruit, yet by frequenting the company of wicked and lewd persons, have proved very profane and debauched. The Philosophers do well observe, that all waters, both in colour and taste, do participate of the nature and disposition of those grounds through which they pass. In like manner men do participate of the disposition and manners of those, with whom they frequently and familiarly converse.

Common experience telleth us, how many hopeful Young Men, who have blossomed fairly, and brought forth some good fruit, yet by frequenting the company of wicked and lewd persons, have proved very prophane and debauch'd. The Philosophers do well observe, that all waters, both in colour and taste, do participate of the nature and disposition of those grounds through which they pass. In like manner men do participate of the disposition and manners of those, with whom they frequently and familiarly converse.