II. For the regulating of our conduct, as to the prac- tice of it — You will observe in the text the figure, and the truth contained in it. Now both of these are instruc- tive, in reference to practical religion :
1. From the figure we may learn to take heed to our communications —
[It is a far easier thing to convey defilement to the souls of men, than holiness. One man that is diseased may impart infection : but ten men that are in health cannot impart health. Now, it is common for persons professing godliness to associate with the world, under an idea of doing them good ; forgetting how much more likely they themselves are to contract evil from such society, than to impart to them any substantial benefit. A heathen could say, " Evil communications corrupt good manners11." And experience proves the truth of it: for there is scarcely a person who associates much, and without necessity, with the world, but he imbibes the spirit of the world; and if not outwardly, yet in heart, declines from God. I mean not to say, that all connexion with ungodly men should be avoided ; for " then must we needs go out of the world :" our duties in civil and social life require some measure of inter- course with them : but I mean, that we should be aware of the danger of infection from the ungodly ; and that we should mix with them as a physican mixes with his patients in a hospital ; having in our minds a desire to do them good, and exerting our influence for that end ; and withdrawing, when we have fulfilled our duty, happy to breathe a purer atmosphere, and to associate with those whose state and habit are in accordance with our own. And this is the rule prescribed for us in the Gospel: " We are not to be conformed to this world':" we are to " come out from it, and be separated" we are " not to be of the world, any more than Jesus Christ was of the world1:" we are " not to affect its friendship"1;" or to " love any of its ensnaring vanities11." Our affections must be " set rather on things above0;" and " our conversation is to be in heaven1':" and we must be ever on our guard to keep our garments cleanq: since it is almost impossible to come in contact with the ungodly, without contracting some defilement from them.]
2. From the truth itself we may learn to look well to our hearts —
h 1 Cor. xv. 33. from the poet Menander. ' Rom. xii. 2.
k 2 Cor. vi. 17. l John xvii. 14 — 16. m Jam. iv. 4.
n 1 John ii. 15, 16. ° Col. hi. 2. p Phil. hi. 20. i Rev. hi. 4. and xvi. 15.