Human nature in its fourfold state ... In several practical discourses

I. In the change of his company. Tho' sometime he despised the company of the saints, now they are the excellent in whom is all his delight, Psal. xvi. 3. I am a companion of all that fear thee, saith the royal Psalmist, Psal. cxix. 63. A renewed man joins himself with the saints: for he and they are like minded, in that which is their main work and business; they have all one new nature; they are travelling to Immanuel's land, and converse together in the language of Canaan. In vain do men pretend to religion, while ungodly company is their choice; for a companions of fools shall be destroyed, Prov. xiii. 20. Religion will make a man shy of throwing himself into an ungodly family, or any unnecessary familiarity with wicked men; as one that is clean, will beware of going into an infected house.

2. In his relative capacity, he will be a new man. Grace makes men gracious in their several relations, and natively leads them to the conscientious performance of relative duties. It does not only make good men, and good women; but makes good subjects, good husbands, good wives, children, servants, and in a word, good relatives in the church, common-wealth, and family. It is a just exception made against the religion of many; namely, that they are bad relatives, they are ill husbands, wives, masters, servants, &c. How will we prove ourselves to be new creatures, if we be still just such as we were before, in our several relations, 2 Cor. v. 17. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new. Real godliness will gain a testimony to a man, from the consciences of his nearest relations, tho' they know more of his sinful infirmities, than others do; as we see in that case. 2 Kings iv. 2. Thy servant, my husband, is dead, and th•• knowest that thy servant did fear the Lord.