are great pleasures enjoyed by the christian, in prayer, in reading, in hearing the word, and in doing good but those who keep bad company, cut themselves off from all these. The sinful man understandeth not the things of God, neither can he know them.

It ruins their interest in God's favour. He is angry with the wicked every day. They displease him who has all manner of blessings to bestow, upon those that love him; and all manner of curses to pour out, upon those who disobey him.

It tends to destroy their lives. The wicked do not live out half their days. They are like the grass upon the house tops, which withereth before it groweth up. By their folly they lay the foundation of disease, which soon cut them off; or run in the way of dangerous and mortal accidents; and are so mad sometimes, as to put an end to their lives; and so plunge headlong into hell at once, with all their sins upon them.

2. But this is the second part of the threatened destruction, the ruin it brings on them in the next world. There it destroys their happiness. There is no place in hea ven among the blessed, for sinners. They can go no where but to hell where the worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

Their consolation is destroyed. They have no comfort left; for their folly in chusing such ways, and such companions, aggravates their misery.

All hope is destroyed too. There is no way of escape: there never will be any. The destruction to which bad company has brought them, lasts to all eternity. Therefore remember,

1. Here you chuse your company for ever. The wicked society you now de light in, you will, unless you repent, be obliged to keep, when delight shall cease, and bitterness and woe succeed. On the other hand; chuse the company of the godly, and, with them, you shall at death and judgement be caught up into heaven.

2. Companionship shares guilt, and will share punishment also. Do not think you can keep company with wicked persons, and be innocent. If you were not wicked too, you would not like their society.

3. Let us be careful of our company. Do not think it a trifle with whom you associate. You cannot help dealing with wicked persons, but do not be with them by choice, or when you can avoid it.

Be careful to chuse the wise. He that walketh with wise men shall be wise.

Not

the wise of this world; but those who are wise unto salvation. The godly, the truly religious chuse; and that seriously, and determinately, as though you did not doubt which was best and when this is done, be as careful in keeping, as in chusing. Be with them often, be with them constantly; miss no opportunity. Be with them regularly; not sometimes with them, and sometimes with the wicked, lest the latter prevail, and spoil all the former. Therefore, be as careful in avoiding the foolish, the giddy, the wicked, as in chusing the godly. Enter not in the way of wicked men ; avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. And above all, pray to God to guide you in the right way; to bless you in the company you chuse; and to bring you at last to that great and glorious company, who, being inexpressibly happy themselves, are praising God, the author of their happiness, for ever and for ever.

HYMN.

HOW many walk in sinful ways,
Drink, lie, and cheat, and swear:
Who in their young and tender days,
Abhor'd, and would not dare.

How many harden'd wretches now,
Against all laws rebel:

Alas! how came they thus so bold,

So desperate in sin;

So base, so shocking, now they're old?
How could they e'er begin!

"Twas sinful company that taught, By little oaths, and lies;

Then quick debas'd each word, and thought, And sunk them deep in vice.""

Fools all their love and care employ'd,
They chose, and loved them well:
And now they find all such destroy'd,
And sunk deeply in hell.

Lord, keep me from temptation free,
And snares, and traps around:
And let me choose such company,

As shall in heaven be found,

VII.

AGAINST IDLENESS.

Romans xii. 11.
Be not slothful in business.

How common among young persons is the vice of idleness. With how much difficulty are they brought, either to love labour and industry, or to give any tolerable attention to them. Business is most frequently accounted a task, and they are fruitful in contrivances to avoid it wholly, or do it by halves.

Yet it is very evident that this conduct is exceedingly hateful. It is so in any persons, but in the young it is pe culiarly odious.

Idleness is the omission, or careless

Ꮮ