rather to corrupt others, than to benefit their souls ; and to dishonour their profession, rather than adorn it. In fact, they are base in themselves, and subserve only base purposes : and " their end will be according to their works."]
But " those who are purged from these will be regarded by him as vessels of honour, meet for their Master's use.
[Under this image, the Apostle means to suggest, that persons of simple minds and pure habits shall he favoured with God's peculiar regard, be set apart for his special service, and be made use of for his ho7iour a7id glory. These are the dis- tinctions conferred on *' vessels of gold and silver in a great house or palace ;" whilst the vessels of wood and of earth are disregarded and despised. Now, those nobler vessels are polished with care, in order that they may appear worthy of their owner, and of the uses to which they are applied : so are the godly " sanctified" by the Holy Ghost, and " prepared for every good work" to which they are destined.
Now, I would ask, is not this a great encouragement to us to keep ourselves pure? Is not this honour an abundant recompence for all the self-denial we can exercise, and all the caution we can maintain ? See the golden vessel in the hand of the prince; its beauty, its symmetry, its splendour, admired by him ; yea, and his own honour, as it were, advanced by it : and can you contemplate yourself thus in the hands of the God of heaven, and not feel a desire to be accounted worthy of that honour? I say, then, " purge yourselves from" every thing which, in a way either of principle or of practice, may defile you, and this honour shall be yours.]
Now, then, say whether there be not in this subject