There is yet one more character that we shall mention, whose conduct indeed is less extensively destructive, but not less injurious to those within his sphere, we mean, the scoffer. He brings no disgrace upon religion, because he makes no profession of it. Nor can he greatly impede its progress in the world, because he is not invested with authority or influ- ence. But perhaps there is some relation, some friend, whom he can discourage by sneers and ridicule, if not also by menaces and actual unkindness. Suppose then that, in one single in- stance, he succeed in breaking the bruised reed and Cjuenching the smoking flax ; who shall appreciate the good he has de- stroyed ? to ruin one for whom Christ died ; and who, but for such an obstacle, would have got safe to heaven''! If the whole world be of no value in comparison of a soul^, then, in that single act, the scoffer has done more harm than the whole world can recompense.]
Application —
1. Let us guard against receiving evil from others —
[It was a heathen poet that said, "Evil communications corrupt good manners ;" and from him the Apostle quotes it, for the edification of the Church of Christ ^ Behold then what reason itself, as well as Scripture, teaches us in reference to the subject before us. One person infected with the plague may do us more injury than a hundred healthy persons can do us good. I would earnestly entreat all, therefore, and young persons especially, not to admit to their friendship so much as " one " associate, whose ways are evil. For who can tell to what an extent the principles and conduct of such a man may pre- vail, to efface the good impressions that have been made upon his mind, and to induce habits that may prove fatal to his soul? If I regarded nothing but your temporal prosperity, I should give this advice: but when I take eternity into the account, I cannot but urge it upon every one here present, and say with the Apostle, " Come out from amongst such persons altogether, and be separate from them, and do not so much as touch the unclean thing " or person that may contaminate your soul.
2. Let us to the utmost of our power repair the evil which we ourselves have done —
[Suppose us ever so free from the more flagrant instances that have been mentioned, there is not one amongst us who has hot done much evil by means of his example. We have all lived, like the world around us, in a neglect of God and of our own souls : and, in so doing, have countenanced the same
X Rom. xiv. 15. y Matt. xvi. 26.
2 1 Cor. XV. 33. It is an Iambic verse from Menander.