that he would not defile himself. Paul and Barnabas besought the early Christians to “cleave to the Lord with purpose of heart.” It is only thus we will be kept from defilement. Anything that defiles the conscience at once breaks the link of communion with God, and hinders our advance in spiritual things. There can be no true progress if there be not care to preserve inviolate this inward monitor. “Holding the faith and a good conscience; which some having put away, concerning faith have made shipwreck,”