4. Keeping evil company: Thus it is said of the lewd woman, _she hath cast down many wounded_, Prov. vii. 26. This will hasten our own ruin; especially if we associate ourselves with such persons out of choice: for it is a sign that our hearts are exceedingly depraved and alienated from God: Nevertheless, if Providence cast our lot amongst bad company, we may escape that guilt and defilement, which would otherwise ensue, if we bear our testimony against their sin, and are _grieved_ for it, as Lot was for the filthy conversation of the Sodomites, among whom he dwelt, 2 Pet. ii. 7, 8. Moreover, the frequenting those places where there are mixed dancing, masquerades, stage-plays, _&c._ which tend to corrupt the principles and practices, and seldom fail of defiling the consciences, and manners of those who attend on them: These are nurseries of vice, and give occasion to this sin, and many others, Prov. vi. 27, compared with 32. As for the remedies against it, these are, an exercising a constant watchfulness against all temptations thereunto, chap. viii. 9. avoiding all conversation with men or books which tend to corrupt the mind, and fill it with levity, under a pretence of improving it: But more especially a retaining a constant sense of God’s all-seeing eye, his infinite purity and vindictive justice, which will induce us to say as Joseph did, in the like case, _How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God_, Gen. xxxix. 9.[2] Footnote 1: _Vid. Grot. de jur. bell. & pacis, Lib. ii. cap. v. § 9._ Footnote 2: