Practical truths tending to promote the power of godliness

Though a godly man under temptation may be carried away with this iniquity for a time yet grace will recover him cut of it. They that shall continue to associate themselves with vain Companions, it may be said of them, as Deut. 3 […] 5. They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of His children it is not wont to be so, with those that are indeed the regenerate Children of God. Ever observe it, that upon true conversion there is a wonderful change in men as to the company which they delight in. We see it in Paul. who were his Companions with whom he did associate himself before his conversion? they were men of a malignant spirit: such as would scoff at the power of Godliness. But how was it after this Conversion? Then he essays to join himself to the Disciples, Act. 9. 26. The men he once hated and mocked at, are now become most dear unto him. He prizeth communion with those most, whom in the time of his Ignorance and unregeneracy, he had most despised. And there is no one thing, that is a greater discovery of the hearts and spirits of men, then the company which they […] fly delight in. A profane man, loveth to be with those that are profane. One that is only a moral man, will be willing to have ⟨p. 178⟩such as are only so, for his most intimate companions. But a truly godly man, delights most in godly company. They then (whoever they be) that make vain persons their Familiars and greatest intimates, have cause to suspect, and give others reason to suspect their sincerity

Though a godly man under temptation may be carried away with this iniquity for a time yet grace will recover him cut of it. They that shall continue to associate themselves with vain Companions, it may be said of them, as Deut. 3 〈…〉 5. They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of His children it is not wont to be so, with those that are indeed the regenerate Children of God. Ever observe it, that upon true conversion there is a wonderful change in men as to the company which they delight in. We see it in Paul. who were his Companions with whom he did associate himself before his conversion? they were men of a malignant spirit: such as would scoffe at the power of Godliness. But how was it after this Conversion? Then he essayes to joyn himself to the Disciples,