41. That there can never be too great an estrangement from defilement
Another principle that a Christian will walk by, is this: That there can never be too great an estrangement from defilement.
He who now gives way to the least sin, may be given up to the greatest sins. We are never far enough from lust, while we are on earth; or near enough to Christ, while we are out of heaven. A sound eye cannot endure the least spot. O, stand off from the devil's mark, unless you would be hit by his arrows.
Abstain from all appearance of evil. The closing in with the appearance of evil, is the first step to the accomplishment of the most enormous evil. A spark of fire will easily catch in a box of tinder. A picture in the glass may inflame, as well as the picture in the face. Little streams will find a passage to the great sea. Christian reader, restriction is a good chain to transgression. Why should you venture on slippery places, who can scarcely stand upon the firmest ground? As faith is a grace that feeds all the rest, so fear is a grace that guards all the rest. That man who is the most watchful, is the least sinful. He may quickly be cast down by a sinful temptation, who is already prepared for it by a sinful occasion. Who will pity that man whose house is blown up with powder, if he keep his barrels in the chimney corner? Such is the monstrous wickedness of men, that they use spurs and whips to that horse, which of itself rushes too fast into the battle. Though the streams and currents of their own lusts carry them too swiftly already, yet they hoist up sails to entertain the devil's winds. But such have a title good enough for hell, without so much trouble to make it surer. The fowler spreads his net, but the wings of the bird carry her into it. Do you murmur for want of liberty, and yet surrender yourself to slavery? If you would not step into the harlot's house, you should not go by the harlot's door. If you would not gather the forbidden fruit, then beware how you look on the tree where it grows. s 3
To pray against temptations, and yet to rush into occasions, is to thrust your fingers into the fire, and then pray that they might not be burnt. The fable saith, 'That the butterfly enquired of the owl, how she should do with the candle which had singed her wings? The owl counselled her, not so much as to behold the smoke.' If you hold the stirrup, no wonder satan get into the saddle. The fort-royal of your souls is in danger of a surprise, while the out-works of your senses are unguarded. Your eyes, which may be floodgates to pour out tears, should not be casements to let in lusts. A careless eye is an index to a graceless heart. Remember the whole world died by a wound in the eye. The eyes of a Christian should be like sun-flowers, which are opened to no blaze but that of the sun. To keep the eyes and not regard the ears, is as if a man should shut the casements of his house, and leave the doors open to the thief. The ear is an instrument that the devil loves to play upon. As your ears are joined to your head on earth, so they should be fastened to your head in heaven.
Your tongue, which should be tuned for God's glory, should not be turned to your own shame. By the striking of those clappers, we guess at the metal of the bell. Thou art a Galilean; thy speech bewrayeth thee. A soul without its watch is like a city without its wall, exposed to the inroad of all its enemies. We need a sun to dispel our darkness, and a shield to repel our dangers. The earth is not so apt to be over-run with thorns, as the mind would with sins, did not our great Gardener prevent their growth. Those who would not fall into the river, should beware how they approach too near to its banks.
He that crushes the egg, need not fear the flight of the bird. He who would not drink of the wine of wrath, let him not touch the cup of pleasure.
He who would not hear the passing-bell of eternal death, should not finger the rope of sin. A person who carries gunpowder about him, can never stand too far from the fire. If we accompany sin one mile, it will compel us to go twain. It swells like
Elijah's cloud, from the size of a man's hand to such an expansion, as to cover the whole sky.
Let him that thinketh he stands, take heed lest he fall. You will quickly lose your standing, if you are fearless of falling. He that abstains from no lawful thing, may soon be brought to commit something that is sinful. Many a man hath been thrown out of the saddle of profession, by riding with too slack a rein of circumspection.
Little sins are not like an inch of candle, which soon expires; but they resemble a train of powder, which takes fire from corn to corn, till at last the barrel be burst asunder. An honest matron will blush to be found in the dress of a wanton woman.
Reader, will you invite that into the chamber of your heart, which brought Christ into the manger?
Is your house so largely built, that you can afford that an harbour, which you know to be a traitor?
Having even the garment spotted by the flesh.
Those garments which are defiled with the leprosy of sin, must either be cleansed by the priest, or burnt without the camp. If a sick man dislike the cup out of which he took his nauseous physic, how should he refuse and abhor that which is filled with deadly poison! A believer disbands those auxiliaries, who have assisted his adversaries.
If Achan handle the golden wedge, his next work will be to steal it. If Ruth lie at the feet of Boaz, her next remove may be into his bed. If you take the devil's cup into your hand, it is to be feared that you will quickly lift it to your head.
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