"A prudent man foreseeth the evil and hideth himself, but
the simple pass on and are punished." He is a wise man that knows the
judgment of the Lord, as the stork and swallow the time of their coming,
that in the consideration of sins and threatenings, and comparing things
spiritual with spiritual, apprehendeth judgment coming on such a course
and such a party, and hides himself, goes aside, retires to a covert, by
avoiding these evils, and the least fellowship with them that bring it on,
and eschewing such a society as hath the cloud hanging directly above
their head. But simple idiots and blind worldlings go on headlong, and
dread nothing, and are punished, ver. 5. Most grievous plagues and
punishments and all manner of unhappiness encumbereth their wicked life.
Therefore he that would keep himself pure and clean (1 John v. 18.), and
save his own soul, shall be far from them, shall keep himself far from
such people. He prays with Job, "Let their counsel be far from me." Job
xxi. 16, 17. Because their good is not in their hand, their candle is oft
put out, &c. And he resolves with Jacob, My soul shall not enter into
their secret, to have such intimacy with them as join counsels with them,
Gen. xlix. 6. And ver. 10, 11, Cast out of thy company, family,
jurisdiction, the scorner that contemns the godly men, and mocks
instruction for such men are infectious, and able to corrupt all they
converse with. But cast him out, and contention shall go out with him.
It is such only that mars the union of the godly, that stirs up strife,
and foments divisions. Thou shalt have more peace, and be more free from
sin and shame. But sound hearted upright men, who deal faithfully, not to
please but to profit,--you should choose these to intrust and rely upon,
those should be friends of kings. Ver. 14. As a harlot's allurements are
like pits to catch men, so the allurements of wicked ungodly men, their
power, policy, &c., and their fair speeches and flatteries, are a deep
ditch to catch men in to this spiritual whoredom and fornication spoken
of. Ezek. xxiii. And he whom God is provoked with, by former wickedness,
falls into it, Eccl. vii. 26, Ver. 24, 25. "Make not friendship with an
angry man and with a furious man thou shalt not go," &c. And is not
association in arms with such, as friends against an enemy, a making
friendship with them we are sworn to hold as enemies? If we may not
converse with a furious passionate man,