aggravated it by such cruel treatment. But, being destitute of all religious principle, he was the sport of every lust, and was driven from one extreme to another, as a leaf before the wind. And what can we expect, but to be equally unstable, though we should not commit exactly the same enormities as he? Yes; nothing but a religious principle will keep us firm. If we have the fear of God in our hearts, we shall " stand in awe, and not sin," even though we know that our iniquity will not be dis- covered by mortal eyes : and if we have the love of Christ in our hearts, that will constrain us to live to him, in a holy con- foi-mity to his will, and in acheerfiJ obedience to his commands.]
2. Of associating with pious friends —
[Had Jonadab been pious, he would have instantly en- deavoured to divert Amnon from his purpose : but, being himself an ungodly man, he offered himself a pander to Am- non's lusts, and suggested to him the plan whereby he might obtain the gratification he desired. Thus was he, in fact, the instrument whereby these horrid impieties were accomplished. Thus it is with ungodly companions at all times: instead of discountenancing evil, they will encourage it, and facilitate the execution of it to the uttermost. Knowing then, as we do, how apt we are to imbibe the spirit of our friends, should we not be careful with whom we associate ? Should we not select oiu- friends from the wise and good, rather than from among the giddy and profane ? " He that walketh with wise men," says Solomon, " will be wise ; but a companion of fools shall be destroyed^." Let us remember that " evil communications will corrupt good manners ; " and let us choose those for our associates in this world, whom we shall wish to dwell with in the world to come.]
3. Of setting a good example —
[We cannot but trace, in some degree at least, the wicked- ness of Amnon to the sad example which David had set him. Amnon would be ready to excuse his own conduct towards Tamar, in comparison of David towards Bathsheba and Uriah. " At all events," he would say, " my father cannot be very severe in censuring me, when he recollects what he himself has done." In like manner, if we give the world occasion to reproach us, we shall lose all weight and influence in reproving them ; yea, we shall harden them in their iniquities, and encourage them to vindicate themselves from our example. Let parents, and masters, and all that are in authority, bear this in mind, that one bad act of theirs will do more to counte- nance sin, than ten good admonitions will do to repress it.
f Prov. xiii. 20.