Therefore the wise man saith, Beware of it, […] thou get a snare to thy soul, Prov. 22. 25. O the bloody desolation of Souls, which hath been the effect of this woeful sin. Every man hath a Soul within him, which is more worth then the whole world. But thousands and millions there have been and are, that by keeping company with vain persons, have had their precious Souls lost, and destroyed, and damned for ever. The Scripture therefore saith, that a companion of fools shall be destroyed, Prov. 13. 20. He that is a companion of vain persons, is in the broad way, which leadeth to destruction, and many there be that go therein. It is a lamentable thing; yea, that which deserveth to be bewailed with the briniest tears of blood; that many hopeful young men, have by falling in with bad company lost their souls and salvation. Time was, when they carried it well, but they met with vain companions, and these have been the eternal ruin of their souls. For thereby they have learned ways of wickedness, which before they were not guilty of. ⟨p. 179⟩They have learned to become Idle, Unclean, Swearers, Self-polluters, Adulterers; for the which sins, Woe unto their Souls. Mind what God in his word saith to thee, Prov. 22. 24 25 Make us friendship with a furious man, thou shalt not go with him, lest thou learn his ways. Thus God saith to thee (and at the peril of thy Soul shall it be, if thou wilt not obey him go not with a Drunkard lest thou learn […] his ways; go not with an Unclean person, less thou leave his ways, and thy soul within thee mourn at last. But […] and alas! for many a poor creature, that evil to expanions have been his Counsel etc, into that his temporal and his eternal mine. It […] concerning Ahaziah that they of the house of A••• were his Counsellors after his Fathers death. […] his distraction, 2 Chron. 22. 4. He […] had a wicked Father, but there is many a young man, born of godly Parents, that upon the death or absence of his Father, hath salier into acquaintance and familiarity with vain persons, whose counsels he hath followed, to the everlasting destruction both of his body and soul. The Devil hath not a greater or more fearful and fatal Engine to destroy Souls by, then this of drawing them into bad company. As long as they continue amongst such, he is sure of them.
Therefore the wise man saith, Beware of it, 〈…〉 thou get a snare to thy soul, Prov. 22. 25. O the bloody desolation of Souls, which hath been the effect of this woful sin. Every man hath a Soul within him, which is more worth then the whole world. But thousands and millions there have been and are, that by keeping company with vain persons, have had their precious Souls lost, and destroyed, and damned for ever. The Scripture therefore saith, that a companion of fools shall be destroyed, Prov. 13. 20. He that is a companion of vain persons, is in the broad way, which leadeth to destruction, and many there be that go therein. It is a lamentable thing; yea, that which deserveth to be bewailed with the briniest tears of blood; that many hopeful young men, have by falling in with bad company lost their souls and salvation. Time was, when they carried it well, but they met with vain companions, and these have been the eternal ruine of their souls. For thereby they have learned wayes of wickedness, which before they were not guilty of. ⟨p. 179⟩They have learned to become Idle, Unclean, Swearers, Self-polluters, Adulterers; for the which sins, Wo unto their Souls. Mind what God in his word saith to thee, Prov. 22. 24 25 Make us friendship with a furious man, thou shalt not go with him, lest thou learn his wayes. Thus God saith to thee (and at the peril of thy Soul shall it be, if thou wilt not obey him go not with a Drunkard lest thou learn 〈…〉 his wayes; go not with an Unclean person, less thou leave his wayes, and thy soul within thee mourn at last. But 〈…〉 and alas! for many a poor creature, that evil to expanions have been his Counsel etc, into that his temporal and his eternal mine. It 〈…〉 concerning Ahaziah that they of the house of A••• were his Counsellers after his Fathers death. 〈…〉 his distraction, 2 Chron. 22. 4. He 〈…〉 had a wicked Father, but there is many a young man, born of godly Parents, that upon the death or absence of his Father, hath salier into acquaintance and familiarity with vain persons, whose counsils he hath followed, to the everlasting destruction both of his body and soul. The Devil hath not a greater or more fearful and fatal Engine to destroy Souls by, then this of drawing them into bad company. As long as they continue amongst such, he is sure of them.
