The works of George Swinnock, M.A

I shall mention the advantage of good Company, in five particulars.

First, By good Company, sinful souls have been converted. A crooked Bough, joined to a strait one, groweth strait; Latimer was converted from Popery, by the good Company and Conference of Master Bilney. The Daughters of Jerusalem, came to be in love with the Bridegroom, by being in company with his Bride; by being acquainted with the ⟨p. 244⟩Church, they became enamoured with Christ. At first they wondered at her fondness of him, that she was so impatient till she had found him (Cant. 5. 8, 9.) but they had not been long with her, before the heat of her love had warmed them with the same earnest desire and longings. Whither is thy beloved gone, O thou fairest among women? whither is thy beloved turned aside, that we may seek him with thee! Cant. 6.1. They that come where ointments and sweet spices are stirring, carry away some of the savour. One live coal may set a whole stack on fire; Evil Company, like the River Melas in Boeotia, makes all the sheep that drink of it black;¹ but Good Company, rather like Clitumnus in Italy, makes them that drink of it white. Saul, by being in Company with a wise Servant, was brought to hear of a Kingdom; He that walketh with wise men, shall be wise, Prov. 13. 20. This made Algerius the Italian Martyr, say, I had rather be in Prison with Cato a wise man, of whom I might learn some good, then in the Senate-house with Caesar.

First, By good Company, sinful souls have been converted. A crooked Bough, joyned to a strait one, groweth strait; Latimer was converted from Popery, by the good Company and Conference of Master Bilney. The Daughters of Ierusalem, came to be in love with the Bridegroom, by being in company with his Bride; by being acquainted with the