23
A few serious and necessary Advices to ⟨all⟩ those that desire to thrive in the world, ⟨and⟩ have the blessing of God with it.
1. ASSURE yourself there can be no honest ⟨thriving⟩ without the fear of GOD. and the ⟨exercise⟩ use of a good conscience: and therefore, above ⟨all⟩ things, disengage yourself from that business ⟨and⟩ those diversions that stand in conpetition with ⟨that⟩ godly fear, that ought to be a guide to you ⟨in⟩ all your actions.
2. Avoid the company of all vicious persons, ⟨whatsoever⟩, as much as you can; for no vice is ⟨alone⟩, and all are infectious: Especially avoid all ⟨such⟩ persons as are scandalous, either for ⟨profession⟩ or manners, for you run his hazard, and ⟨espouse⟩ his disreputation; and such as swearers, ⟨prophane⟩ blasphemers, scoffers, &c.
3. Be sure not to keep company with drunkards ⟨and⟩ busy bodies, and all such as are apt to talk ⟨much⟩ to little purpose; for no man can be ⟨provident⟩ of his time, that is not prudent in the ⟨choice⟩ of his company.
4. Beware of idleness, aud fill up all the empty ⟨spaces⟩ of your time in useful employments: for ⟨vice⟩ creeps in, when the soul is unemployed, and ⟨the⟩ body at ease.
5. Avoid the filthy sin of whoredom, which ⟨brings⟩ the curse of GOD upon men's bodies and ⟨estates⟩: "For a whorish woman is a deep ditch, ⟨and⟩ he that is abhorred of the Lord, shall fall ⟨therein⟩."
6. Pray to GOD when you begin any work, ⟨that⟩, by his help, you may bring it to a good ⟨conclusion⟩.
