§. Sect. 7 That good company ta∣keth away all tediousnesse in good exercises.
More especially, this society with the godly and religious, doth much further vs in all duties of a godly life, because it taketh away the tediousnesse of our iourney, when we haue good company to trauaile with vs: Seeing they draw vs on by their good discourses, and put out of our mindes the tediousnesse of the way; they comfort and en∣courage vs, when we begin to be weary; they are ready to help vs, if any euil betide vs; to secure vs by their assistance from feare of our spirituall enemies, who are ready to rob vs of the treasures of Gods graces; and when we are slothfull, they much better our speede, because we would not be cast behind. Againe, the fellowship of the godly doth much further vs by their good example, seeing their zeale and diligence con∣uinceth our luke-warmenesse and negligence, and their good workes of piety and righteousnesse are good patternes and presidents for vs to imitate. For though the Law of God bee the most perfect rule, and the example of our Sauiour Christ the most exact squire, according to which all our actions and whole conuersation are to be framed; yet these being of such incomparable excellency, and so farre aboue our low growth in grace and short reach, would altogether discourage vs in the sence of our imperfections, if wee did not also obserue men sub∣iect to the like infirmities, walking before vs in the wayes of godlinesse, and inuiting vs to follow them, who though they goe not so swiftly as they should, yet haue much outstripped vs in the Christian race. Fur∣thermore, this society and communion with the faithfull, is a notable meanes to make vs familiar with God, and to inioy the fellowship of his holy Spirit, which is the chiefe bond that vniteth vs together in this holy communion. For where two or three are gathered together in * 1.1 Christs name and Gods feare, to performe Christian exercises, and to further one another in the waies of saluation, there he also is in the midst of them, taking notice of their actions, and making himselfe better knowne vnto them, his face and fauour, his bounty and goodnesse, whereby they are incouraged with more chearefulnesse to doe him seruice.