Company with good people only
But is it not useful, however, one might naturally ask, to talk only with good people, only with those whom we know to be meek and merciful, holy of heart and holy of life? Is it not useful to refrain from any conversation or intercourse with people of the opposite character, people who do not obey, perhaps do not believe, the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ? The advice of Saint Paul to the Christians at Corinth may seem to favor this. I wrote to you in a letter not to company with fornicators (1 Corinthians 5:9). And it is certainly not advisable so to company with them, or with any of the workers of iniquity, as to have any particular familiarity, or any closeness of friendship with them. To contract or continue an intimacy with any such is in no way useful for a Christian. It must necessarily expose him to a great many dangers and snares, out of which he can have no reasonable hope of deliverance.
1771 text
5. But is it not expedient however (one might naturally ask) to converse only with good men? Only with those whom we know to be meek and merciful; holy of heart, and holy of life? Is it not expedient to refrain from any conversation or intercourse, with men of the opposite character? Men who do not obey, perhaps do not believe, the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ? The advice of St. Paul to the Christians at Corinth, may seem to favour this. I wrote unto you in an epistle, not to company with fornicators. And it is certainly not adviseable so to company with them, or with any of the workers of iniquity, as to have any particular familiarity, or any strictness of friendship with them. To contract or continue an intimacy with any such, is no way expedient for a Christian. It must necessarily expose him to abundance of dangers and snares, out of which he can have no reasonable hope of deliverance.
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 24 in the 1771 Works. Matthew 5:13-16.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.