The sincerest man in the world, may be forced into the company of vile and vicious persons, but he taketh little delight in being amongst them. He is out of his Element when in such Company, as not being amongst those with whom his delight is. They will discover such a Spirit, speak such words, do such actions as are very displeasing to a gracious Soul; therefore if he could help it, he would not be much amongst ⟨p. 166⟩them. Lot was vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked, for that Righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous Soul from day to day, with their unlawful deeds 2 Pet. 2. 7, 8. We ought not to love such with a Love of complacency or Delight. Therefore when Jehoshaphat did seem to delight in wicked Ahab's company, is was said to him, by the Prophet, shouldst thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the Lord, 2 Chron. 19. 2. Indeed a love of pity, is to be manifested towards such persons. When here was a civil moral man, but one still in his natural unconverted estate, that came running to Christ, and kneeled down before him, with that Question, What shall I do that I may inherit eternal life, withal professing, that he had from his youth been very careful to observe the Commandments of God; it is said, that Jesus beholding him loved him, M•r. 10 21. h. e. he pitied him, Bowels of love in the compassionate heart of Jesus, were moved towards him, to see a man that should perform such duties, and take such pains to obtain eternal life, and yet lose his Soul for ever, because he was not built upon a right Foundation. But although, a love of pity is to be exercised towards such yet not a love of delight in communion with them. They were other kind of persons, whom David took Delight to be among, Psal. 126. 3. The Saints that are in the Earth in whom is all my delight. His ⟨p. 167⟩delight was in the communion of Saints, and not in fellowship with sinners. And that's a good sign of sincerity, when there is an unfeigned love to the Brethren, as on the other hand, it is a bad sign, when a man loveth to fit and discourse with vain persons, and never thinks the time long enough whilst he is in their company.
The sincerest man in the world, may be forced into the company of vile and vitious persons, but he taketh little delight in being amongst them. He is out of his Element when in such Company, as not being amongst those with whom his delight is. They will discover such a Spirit, speak such words, do such actions as are very displeasing to a gracious Soul; therefore if he could help it, he would not be much amongst ⟨p. 166⟩them. Lot was vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked, for that Righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous Soul from day to day, with their unlawful deeds 2 Pet. 2. 7, 8. We ought not to love such with a Love of complacency or Delight. Therefore when Jehoshaphat did seem to delight in wicked Ahabs company, is was said to him, by the Prophet, shouldst thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the Lord, 2 Chron. 19. 2. Indeed a love of pity, is to be manifested towards such persons. When here was a civil moral man, but one still in his natural unconverted estate, that came running to Christ, and kneeled down before him, with that Question, What shall I do that I may inherit eternal life, withal professing, that he had from his youth been very careful to observe the Commandments of God; it is said, that Jesus beholding him loved him, M•r. 10 21. h. e. he pitied him, Bowels of love in the compassionate heart of Jesus, were moved towards him, to see a man that should perform such duties, and take such pains to obtain eternal life, and yet lose his Soul for ever, because he was not built upon a right Foundation. But although, a love of pity is to be exercised towards such yet not a love of delight in communion with them. They were other kind of persons, whom David took Delight to be among, Psal. 126. 3. The Saints that are in the Earth in whom is all my delight. His ⟨p. 167⟩delight was in the communion of Saints, and not in followship with sinners. And thats a good sign of sincerity, when there is an unfeigned love to the Brethren, as on the other hand, it is a bad sign, when a man loveth to fit and discourse with vain persons, and never thinks the time long enough whilest he is in their company.
