nst all the
innocent in the land, and promise themselves great gain by it, and are
already dividing their estates among them, saying we "shall find all
precious substance," ver. 13. But, my son, if thou fear God, though they
entice thee with specious arguments of nature, and necessity, and country
privileges, yet consent not. Venture not thy stock in one vessel with
them. Cast not in thy lot among them. "Walk not in the way with them:
refrain thy foot from their path:" for they are not come to the height of
iniquity, they are running on to it. And if thou join, thou wilt cast
thyself in a miserable snare; for either thou must go on with them to
their designed and professed evils, or be exposed to their cruelty.

Chap. ii. from ver. 10. to the end. "When wisdom entereth into thine
heart, and knowledge is pleasant to thy soul; discretion shall preserve
thee, understanding shall keep thee to deliver thee from the way of the
evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things, who leave the paths
of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness," &c. If thou take the
word of God for a lamp to thy feet, and it enter into thy soul, and be
received in love and affection, it will certainly keep thee from the evil
men's way, who have already left the righteous paths to walk in the ways
of darkness, who rejoice in nothing so much as in the sorrows and miseries
of the godly, and delight in one another's wickedness. And it will keep
thee chaste to thy husband Christ Jesus, and preserve thee from committing
fornications with Egypt as Aholah and Aholibah, and joining so nearly with
the degenerated seed of Abraham, who are but as strangers. For come near
their house and paths, and they will lead thee to destruction with them or
make thee a more miserable life. But these that go to them return not
again quickly. They are like fallen stars. Shall they ever be set in the
firmament again? It is safest to walk with good and righteous men, for
God's blessing and promise is on them. His curse and threatening is on the
wicked. Therefore thou may fear wrath on that account, if thou join with
them.

Chap. iv. ver. 14-20 "Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in
the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass
away. For they sleep not except they have done mischief, and their sleep
is taken away except they cause some to fall. For they eat the bread of
wickedness, and drink the wine of violence. But the path of th