Always look upon unsaved people
(Thomas Brooks, "Precious Remedies
Against Satan's Devices" 1652)
Always look upon unsaved people under those
names and notions that the Scripture sets them
out under. The Scripture calls them . . .
lions for their fierceness,
bears for their cruelty,
dragons for their hideousness,
dogs for their filthiness,
wolves for their subtleness.
The Scripture styles them . . .
scorpions,
vipers,
thorns,
briars,
thistles,
brambles,
stubble,
dirt,
chaff,
dust,
dross,
smoke,
and scum.
By looking upon them under those names and
notions that the Scripture sets them out by,
you may preserve your soul from frequenting
their company and delighting in their society.
You may know well enough what is within them, by
the apt names that the Holy Spirit has given them.
Guilt or grief is all that gracious souls
get by conversing with wicked men.