The application of redemption

A word of caution. Hence loose company is a deadly ¹enemy and hindrance to the conversion of a sinner. that which doth exceedingly prejudice the work of Meditation, and so of brokenness of heart, that hinders the work of Conversion for that is the way thereunto. But there is no greater hindrance to be found on Earth to holy Meditation than frothy Company and Companions, while a man is in the crowd amongst such wretches there is no possibility in reason that one should search his own heart and examine his own way, take any account by serious consideration what his course hath been or what his condition is, there is little hope of any possibility that ever the word should settle upon the soul or stay with the sinner in the evidence or prevailing power of it, or that the mind or heart of a poor creature should settle upon that, suck out the sap and virtue of it and continue under the stroke and authority of it while he continues with such varlets, which like the greedy fowl of the air, pick out the seed of the word out of the minds of such with whom they do converse, and stop the passage as it were with their prejudices they cast against man and message, that they may never attend it, or if yet they talk with it as a passenger, yet never entertain it as an in-dweller to continue with them. And therefore they act the part not of Gods Ministers or such as would be helpers to the spiritual good of others, but the part of Satan's factors, when God is pleased to parley with a sinner, and to speak terror to his Conscience out ⟨p. 241⟩of the word that they may be troubled and tumbled and so find rest at the day of Christ. These Quack-salvers send the distressed sinner to sports, pastimes and recreations, and merry Company, that they take up their thoughts and take off their minds from attending to their sins or the truth, that is, take off the Slave that should cure them, spill the Physic that should heal their maladies; thus they ease their terrors for the while that they may increase their torment forever; accursed comforters, or rather they take up the Devils name and Office Apollyon destroyers of the souls of men; therefore holy Peter gave that advise to these hearers; Save your selves from this crooked generation, q. d. your safety and their society cannot stand together, you must not continue with them, if you would have the power and comfort of the word continue with you;