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386 A SERMON ON JAMES iv. 4 they design it, and whether they endeavour it, or no. I know not how to account for it, but it is a real fact, that their very spirit is infectious. While you are near them, you are apt to catch their spirit, whether they will or no. Many physicians have observed, that no only the plague, and putrid or malignant fevers, but almost every disease men are liable to, are more or less infectious. And undoubted-ly so are all spiritual diseases: only with great variety. The infection is not so swiftly communicated by some as it is by others. In either case, the person already diseased, does not desire or design to infect another. The man who has the plague, does not desire or intend to communicate the distem-per to you. But you are not therefore safe: so keep at a distance, or you will surly be infected. Does not experi-ence shew, that the case is the same with the diseases of the mind? Suppose the proud, the vain, the passionate, the wanton, do not desire or design to infect you with their own distempers; yet it is best to keep at a distance from them: you are not safe if you come too near them. You will per-ceive (it is well if it be not too late) that their very breath is infectious. It has been lately discovered, that there is an atmosphere surrounding every human body; which natural-ly affects every one that comes within limits of it. Is there not something analogous to this, with regard to a hu-man spirit? If you continue long within their atmosphere (so to speak) you can hardly escape the being infected. The contagion spreads from soul to soul, as well as from body to body, even though the persons diseased do not intend or declare it. But can this reasonably be supported? It is not a notorious truth, that men of the world (exceeding few ex-cepted) eagerly desire to make their companions like them-selves? Yea, and use every means, with their utmost skill and industry, to accomplish their desire. Therefore fly for your life! Do not play with the fire, but escape before the flames kindle upon you. 18. But how many are the pleas for friendship with the world? And how strong are the temptations to it? Such of these as are the most dangerous, and at the same time, most common, we will consider. To 387 A SERMON ON JAMES iv. 4. To begin with one that is the most dangerous of all others, and at the flame by no means uncommon. "I grant," says one, "the person I am about to marry, is not a religi-ous person. She does not make any pretensions to it. She has little thought about it. But she is a beautiful creature. She is extremely agreeable, and I think will make me a lovely companion. This is a snare indeed! Perhaps one of the greatest that human nature is liable to. This is such a temptation as no power of man is able to overcome. Nothing less than the mighty power of GOD, can make a way for you to escape from it. And this can work a complete deliverance: his grace is sufficient for you. But not unless you are a work-er together with him: not unless you deny yourself and take up your cross. And what you do, you must do at once! Nothing can be done by degrees. Whatever you do in this important case, must be done at one stroke. If it be done at all, you must at once cut off the right hand, and cast it from you! Here is no time for conferring with flesh and blood. At once, conquer or perish! 19. Let us turn the tables. Suppose a woman that loves GOD, is addrest by an agreeable man, genteel, lively, en-tertaining, suitable to her in all other respects, though not religious: what should she do in such a case? What she should do, if she believes the bible, is sufficiently clear. But what can she do? Is not this "A test for human frailty too severe?" Who is able to stand in such a trail? Who can resist such a temptation! None but one that holds fast the shield of faith, and earnestly cries to the strong for strength. None but one that gives herself to watching and prayer, and con-tinues therein with all perseverance. If she does this, she will be a happy witness in the midst of an unbelieving world, that as all things are possible with GOD, so all things are possible to her that believeth. 20. But either a man or woman may ask, "What if the person who seeks my acquaintance, be a person of a strong natural
