But to pursue this argument a little further. To give some obser- vations, then some helps against evil company.
First, Some observations.
1. This concerns young ones especially, and those that are not in a radicated state of grace. Indeed, it concerns all. If you mean to keep close to God, you must divorce your heart from them ; but chiefly young ones, that are either left to clioose, or not confirmed in their choice, for the danger to them is greater than to others. Oh ! how many young ones are undone by carnal company ! Eusebius tells us of a young man that was bred up under St John, a\ ho by evil company was not only drawn to be a robber, but the prince and captain of
18G SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. [SeR. CXXVI.
roLhcrs (Euseb. lib. iii. c. 23), until St John went out and met him. And Gre<2;ory the Great speaks of Gordiaua, his own aunt, that was drawn off from the love of God, and the strictness of a holy life, after the death of her two sisters, Tharsylla and j3i^miliana, by her com- panions. And St Augustine, lib. viii. Confess, cap. 8, Quern fructmn habui miser aliquando in iis qicce nunc recoUigens erubesco, maxime in illofurio, in quo ipsum fartum amcivi, nihil aliud ; et ipsum esset nihil, et ego eo miserior, et iamen solus id non fecissem. Sic recordor animum tunc meum, solus omnino id non fecissem, ergo cimavi consor- tium eorum cum quihus id feci — 0 Lord, what cause have I to be ashamed when I remember these things, especially the theft, where I loved the theft for the theft's sake ! "What was the gain but a few apples stolen ? And yet, saith he, I had never done it if I liad been alone; oh! it was the company of them that drew me to this theft. Then afterwards, It was my companions drew me to this. 0 nimis iniqua amicitia ! seductio mentis invesligahilis — 0 cruel friendship ! when they said, Come, let us go and do it ; I was ashamed not to be shameless, and as evil as they. When, then, in this waxen age, youth are above all to avoiil the company of evil-doers.
2. We must not only take heed that we be not inured to evil, but also that we be not deadened to that which is good. Example may corrupt us either way. Neglect of God will keep us out of heaven, as well as profaneness. Now, alas ! how easily are we leavened with deadness and formality by our com})any ! Frequent society with dead- hearted formalists, or persons merely civil and moral, whose conference is empty, unsavoury, barren, may much divert our hearts from heaven, and do us a great deal of mischief. The apostle tells us, Heb. x. 24, we should ' consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.' Our dulness and backwardness is such that we need the most powerful helps.
3. Of all evil company, the company of seducers, those that cause divisions and offences in the church, and broach novel opinions, ought to be avoided : Eom. xvi. 17, ' Mark them which cause divisions and offences, contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned, and avoid them ;' 2 John 10, ' If any man bring another doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God-speed ;' 1 Tim. vi. 5, and men that are given to perverse disputings, ' from such withdraw thy- self.' Error is more catching than vice, and more spreading. It is more catching, the face of it being represented with the loveliness of some pretence or other ; whereas foul actions are found hateful and more contrary to natural conscience ; and besides, it is more spreading. Vice is like a duel ; it killeth but one. Error is like a war that destroys many at once ; therefore we should not be familiar with these. Erroneous apprehensions in religion carry a marvellous com})liance with a man's natural thoughts.
4. It is not enough to avoid bad company, but we must choose that Avhich is good. A man nnist have friends ; the use of them in this life is very great. Man is a sociable creature, as Aristotle speaks ; company and friendship we must have. Christ himself M'as not with- out his peculiar friends ; there was Peter, James, and John, that were the flower of the apostles, that were conscious to his transfiguration
VeR. 115.] SEBMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. 187
and his agonies. AVe must have our friends and our society, so that the advantage of good company is very great : Prov. xiii. 20, ' He that walketh with wise men shall be wise ;' their example will allure and excite to holy emulation, and their counsel and instruction will be a great help in the business of religion. Even Saul, being among the prophets, had his raptures, 1 Sam. xix. 23. So living in the company of godly men, and seeing, hearing, and conferring with them of good things, leaveth some imjiression.
Secondly, Some helps and considerations.
1. Consider what is our chiefest good. This is prmcipmm unwer- saJissimum. The last end or chiefest good is the principle which doth influence all our actions. And certainl}^ if men fix their last end aright, it will have an influence upon all they do ; our company, our business, our recreation, our holy duties. Well, now, consider what is your chiefest good and your last end. If pleasure were our chiefest good, and if we had nothing else to do but to pass away the time, and to get rid of melancholy, there would need no great care in the choice of our company. But enjoying the blessed God, that is our last end and chiefest good : everything must be answerable to help you to heaven.