Meditation LXXV.
Meditation LXXV.
QUARANTINE.
Under sail near Sardinia, April 21, 1759.
It is a laudable practice among these nations, to make all ships, that come from places where the plague now and then appears, perform quarantine; and during that time to forbid their own people all interaction with the suspected crews. If it is commendable to be careful of the welfare of a nation, how culpable is that church that receives or keeps in her communion people immoral in their life, or unsound in the faith.
How dangerous in private people, who pretend to be religious—to contract acquaintance, intimacy, or friendship with men of loose morals or libertine principles. O my soul! come not into their society! How cautious should we be to mingle in the company of the wicked, where we are sure to suffer one way or other! And our care herein ought to extend to all the connections of life.
Would I admit into my house people who were infected with the plague? and would I take into my bosom that person, in other respects however amiable and dear, if full of the pestilence? How agreeable, then, to have the fearers of God, the citizens of Zion, for my friends? to have Christ's free men for servants in my family! and such as have a saving interest in Christ for my nearest connections!
O to see things in their proper light, and not put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter; time in the place of eternity, and eternity in the place of time; the creature in the place of God, and give God no place at all.
The longed for day arrives, when the officers of health inspect the crew, pronounce us clean, and permit us to come ashore; and then we mingle in every company, appear in every place. Even so, when Jesus, in that memorable day, a day longed for by the lovers of his name, acquits his saints before an assembled world, they shall rise to heaven, walk the streets of glory, mingle with angels, and dwell forever with God!
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