evil in the heart ! How afFectingly does it warn us to " pluck out the right eye, and to cut off the right hand or foot," lest our whole body be contaminated, and be consigned, as utterly irrecoverable, to the flames of hell ^! Nor does it less forcibly instruct us to guard against the means of evil, and the tempta- tions to it. A man in the midst of many combustibles will dread the approach of fire. And who that considers how soon a fire may be kindled within him, and burn even to the lowest hell, will needlessly venture himself into those scenes of temptation, where every thing around him has a direct ten- dency to inflame and consume his soul ? Who, that considers "how great a matter a little fire kindleth^" will be indiflerent respecting the company with which he mixes, the conversation in which he engages, the books he reads, the thoughts he indulges in his heart ? Verily, if we would retain a purity of heart and life, we must never forget that " a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump." If we pray to God not to lead us into temptation, we must take care that we run not need- lessly into it ourselves.]
What now shall I say ? Beloved brethren,
1. " Purge out," with all imaginable care, " the leaven that is within you" —
[This is St. Paul's own improvement of the subject''. The Jews, at their passover, were wont to search every cor- ner of their houses with candles, in order to get rid of any leaven that might be found there ; that so they might keep the feast with unleavened bread, according to the commandment. And is " Christ our Passover sacrificed for us," and shall not we exercise the same care to " keep the feast with the un- leavened bread of sincerity and truth?" I call you, then, to the utmost possible vigilance in relation to this matter. Guard against every thing that is evil, whether in principle or prac- tice ; that so you may not be an occasion of corrupting others, and " may yourselves be preserved blameless unto the king- dom of your God."]
2. Endeavour to get your souls altogether leavened by divine grace —
[There is a leaven that proceeds from God himself, that is intended to operate through the whole world, and to assi- milate every human being to the very image of his God'. Entreat of God to impregnate your souls with that. See to it, that its operation be progressive, through all your faculties
1' Mark ix. 43—48. * Jam, iii. 5.
k ver. 7, 8. ' Matt. xiii. 33.