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390 A SERMON ON JAMES iv.4. dient for children, if it be at their own choice, to remain with their parents. In general, if they do not fear GOD, you should leave them as soon as is convenient. but wherever you are, take care (if it be in your power) that they do not want the necessaries or conveniences of life. As for all other relations, even brothers or sisters, if they are of the world, you are under no obligation to be intimate with them: you may be civil and friendly at a distance. 26. But allowing that the friendship of the world is enmity against GOD, and consequently that it is the most excellent way, indeed the only way to heaven, to avoid all intimacy with worldly men; yet who has resolution to walk therein? Who ever of those that love or fear GOD? For these only are concerned in the present question. A few I have known who even in this respect were lights in a benighted land: who did not and would not either contract or continue any acquaintance, with persons of the most refined and improved understanding, and the most engaging tempers, merely because they were of the world, because they were not alive to GOD. Yea, though they were capable of improving them in knowledge, or of assisting them in business. Nay, though they admired and esteemed them for that very religion, which they did not themselves experience: a case one would hardly think possible, but of which there are many instances at this day. Familiar intercourse with these, they steadily and resolutely refrain from, for conscience-sake. 27. Go thou and do likewise, whosoever thou art, that art a child of GOD by faith. Whatever it cost, flee spiritual adultery. Have no friendship with the world. However tempted thereto by profit or pleasure, contract no intimacy with worldly-minded men. And if thou hast contracted any such already, break it off without delay. Yea, if they ungodly friend be dear to thee as a right eye, or useful as a right hand, yet confer not with flesh and blood, but pluck out the right eye, cut off the right hand, and cast them from thee! It is not an indifferent thing. they life is at stake: eternal life, or eternal death. And is THE JOURNAL OF BISHOP COKE. 391 is it not better to go into life, having one eye, or one hand, than having both, to be cast into hell-fire? When though knewest no better, the times of ignorance GOD winked at. but now thine eyes are opened, now the light is come; walk in the light. Touch not pitch, lest thou be defiled. At all events, keep thyself pure! 28. But whatever others do, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, hear this, all ye that are called Methodists. However importuned or tempted thereto, have no friendship with the world. Look round, and see the melancholy effects it has produced among your brethren! How many of the mighty are fallen! How many have fallen by this very thing? They would take no warning: they would converse, and that intimately, with earthly-minded men, till "they measured back their steps to earth again!" O come out from among them! from all unholy men, however harmless they may appear; and be ye separate: at least so far as to have no intimacy with them. As your fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ; so let it be with those, and those only, who at least seek the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. So shall ye be in a peculiar sense, my sons and my daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Wakefield, May 1, 1786. The JOURNAL of THOMAS COKE, Bishop of the Methodist-Episcopal Church, From September 18, 1784, to June 3, 1785. [Continued from page 346] Sunday, May 1-4. About twenty preachers met Mr. Asbury and me at brother Mason's. One night we all slept in one house; but it was so inconvenient to some of the preachers, that they afterwards divided themselves through the neighboring plantations, by which we loft about an
