DEFILEMENT

Under the law, many were those blemishes of person and
conduct, which were considered as defilements: some were voluntary,
others involuntary; some were inevitable, and the effect of nature
itself, others arose from personal transgression. Under the Gospel,
defilements are those of the heart, of the mind, the temper, and
conduct. The ceremonial uncleannesses of the law are superseded as
religious rites; though many of them claim attention as usages of
health, decency, and civility.