friendly intercourse on account of the contracted state of so- ciety in the world : yet not even these could enjoy spiritual communion with each other. It is true, that all natural men do not give themselves up, like Cain, to the dominion of their lusts : but it is equally true, that all men have in their hearts the same envious and malignant passions d, and that, till they are renewed by divine grace, they are enemies to true reli- gion6. Hence we are told to come out from the world and be separate, because there can be no more true communion between believers and unbelievers, than between light and darkness, or Christ and Belial f. And they who, in opposition to this direction, choose the unregenerate for their associates, or form still more intimate connexions with them, are sure to " suffer loss " in their souls ; and, if saved at all, they are " saved only so as by fireg."]
3. How certainly " will sin find us out" at last! [We may conceal our iniquities from man ; but we can never hide them from God : " There is no darkness nor shadow of death where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves." God does not often interfere to make known our guilt, as in the case before us ; (though the interpositions of His providence in the discovery of murder are sometimes extremely marked and visible ;) but in the day of judgment " he will make manifest the very counsels of our hearts." It will be in vain then to deny our guilt, or to raise those cap- tious, not to say impious, objections, which now appear to us of so much weight : Every thing will be substantiated by the fullest evidence, and be recompensed according to its desert. O that " in that day we may be found without spot, and blame- less ! " This may be the state of all, not excepting even mur- derers themselves, provided they wash in the fountain of Christ's blood, and be renewed by his Holy Spirit. Let us then seek his pardoning and renewing grace. Then shall we be enabled to " stand before our God with boldness," and " give up our account to him with joy, and not with grief."]
d Jam. iv. 5. e Rom. viii. 7.
f 2 Cor. vi. 14, 15, 17. s 1 Cor. hi. 15.