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IF you gather a thou∣sand flints into an
heap, one flint will nei∣ther receive damage, or profit by another: The case is far otherwise with Loadstones, of which, if you place one by another, or if you cast many of them con∣fusedly into one heap, the one must needs draw either some losse and impediment, or some vertue or benefit from that which is next unto it; for if they doe ac∣cord in respect of the Magnetick rules, and meet in tearms or points convenient, for each ones natures; so that the Southerne point of the one, be disposed to∣ward the Northerne
point of the other, the weake shall be drawne, and cherished, & streng∣the••ed by the strong; But if it be placed in contrarie, and inconve∣nient tearmes, it shall be driven away, and much weakened. There hap∣pens in the friendship and societie of men, something that is like unto this; some good doth alwayes befall to a man by meanes of a good neighbour, and some evill by meanes of an ill neighbour; for wicked••communications corrupt good manners; but good communicati∣ons correct & confirme whatsoever is amisse:
the wicked will fasten upon us some vice or another; but the good and vertuous will infuse into us some vertue; There was a little cloud in the forme of a pillar, which was in the midst betweene the Egyptians and the Israelites, as they travelled in the wildernesse; the hin∣dermost thereof, which was dark and mistie, the Egyptians followed af∣ter; but the formost, which was lightsome and bright, the Israelites beheld▪ Whatsoever thing wee have in us, that is spotted and wor∣thy of dispraise, they which are the children
of darknesse doe imitate that; but whatsoever is excellent and praise∣worthy, that they doe follow, which are the children of light, and led by the Spirit of God.
Wherefore wee must not only take heed with whom we converse, but upon what tearmes and conditions, with a great deale of care in the choyse of our friends, and diligent circum∣spectnesse; unlesse that we be willing to endure thereby a dangerous corruption of manners.