Atten. It was an ill hap that he ever came acqu[a]inted with them.

Wise. You must rather word it thus. It {46c} was the Judgement of
God that he did; that is, he came acquainted with them, through the
anger of God. He had a good Master, and before him a good Father:
By these he had good counsel given him for Months and Years
together; but his heart was set upon mischief, he loved wickedness
more than to do good, even untill his Iniquity came to be hateful;
therefore, from the anger of God it was, that these companions of
his, and he, did at last so acquaint together. Sayes Paul, They
did not like to retain God in their knowledge; {46d} and what
follows? wherefore, God gave them over, or up to their own hearts
lusts. And again, As for such as turn aside to their own crooked
wayes, the Lord shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity.
{46e} This therefore was Gods hand upon him, that he might be
destroyed, be damned; because he received not the love of the Truth
that he might be saved. He chose his Delusions and Deluders for
him, even the company of base men, of Fools, that he might be
destroyed. {46f} {47a}

Atten. I cannot but think indeed, that it is a Great Judgment of
God for a man to be given up to the company of vile men; for what
are such but the Devils {47b} Decoyes, even those by whom he
drawes the simple into the Net? A Whoremaster, a Drunkard, a
Thiefe, what are they but the Devils baits, by which he catcheth
others?

Wise. You say right; but this young Badman was no simple one, if
by simple, you mean one uninstructed; for he had often good counsel