Walking in the Way of Good Men

Walk in the way of good men.—The true way of walking presents the general application of counsels for those who avoid the society of evil persons. First, men cannot walk in good ways unless they leave the bad ones. Good and evil being contraries, one will keep out the other as cold keeps out heat. Evil thoughts exclude all thoughts of good. Second, it is not enough to avoid evil; we must actually do good. Forsaking evil is merely a foundation for greater building, and no man can dwell upon foundation alone. Third, one chief and principal end of wisdom is well-doing. No blessing attends mere knowing; a curse follows upon knowledge without practice. Fourth, it is safer to imitate good men than bad, because the way of good men is better, and their end is better. Fifth, good example sometimes prevails to draw others to piety. Shame and fear are taken away by good examples going before. We should follow the choicest examples of goodness. Why shouldest thou not rather follow Abraham, Job, Joseph, and David than Ishmael, Esau, and other profane persons? Sheep will not follow wolves, but they will follow one another. So do thou follow good men to heaven, rather than bad men to hell. (Francis Taylor)