Prov. xiv. 9. Fools make a mock at sin.
MAN in his first creation was formed after the Divine image ; and there was not in his soul the least inclination to evil of any kind. But since his fall, he is become in love with sin : sin is the very element in which he lives : and so unconscious is he of its malignity, that he makes a mock at it. Doubtless all do not carry their impiety to the same extent. Some are openly profane, and given up to all manner of wickedness ; not only not being ashamed of their ways, but actually " glorying in their shame."
We must not however restrict to persons of this description the declaration in our text. The evil that is there complained of is of far wider extent, it more or less attaches to every unconverted man. This will appear, whilst we open to you, I. The conduct here reprobated —
Let us remember what sin is : " it is the trans- gression of the law^" Whichever table of the law be broken, or whatever command be violated, the violation of it is sin : and to make hght of that trans- gression, whether it be more or less heinous in itself, is to make a mock at sin. Bearing this in mind, we say, that this evil is committed,
1. By those who live in sin themselves —
[Passing over the drunkard, who says to his companions, *' We will fill ourselves with strong drink ; and to-morrow shall be as this day and much more abundant*^;" and the rob- ber, who invites his fellows, " Come, let us lay wait for blood, that we may fill our houses with spoil '^;" and the unhappy prostitute, who "impudently" assaults with importunity the unwary youth'' ; or a variety of other characters alike noto- rious and abandoned ; — passing by these, I say, (whom to have named is quite sufficient,) let us look to the worldling, who, though walking in a more sober way, lives altogether for him- self; or look to the self-righteous, who though admired and
a 1 John iii. 4. b Isai. Ivi. 12,
•= Prov. i. 11, 13. d Prov. vii. G— 18.