" Is thy servant a dog, that he should do this thing k?" But we see to what lengths of wickedness men will proceed, when once these restraints are broken through ; and how they will even come at last to " glory in their shame1." Who that walk the streets with shameless impudence, or that addict them- selves to theft and robbery till they bring themselves to an untimely end, would ever have believed, that sin, which, when first committed, caused in them a blush of conscious guilt, should ever be carried by them to such a fearful extent, and be familiarized to them as their inseparable companion?]
2. Its power is strengthened —
[It is of the very nature of habit to strengthen the prin- ciple that is called into action, whether it be good or bad. The mind, the memory, the judgment, are strengthened by exercise ; as the bodily organs are also : and they acquire a facility in doing things which at first are difficult. And thus it is also with evil habits: a man may have so accustomed himself to anger, intemperance, impurity, or sloth, that he shall not be able to withstand the smallest temptation: every trifle will irritate him; every opportunity of indulgence ensnare him ; "his eyes will be so full of adultery, that he cannot cease from sinm ;" and " on his bed he shall become like a door upon its hinges," that knows of no motion but from one side to another11. This is placed in a peculiarly strong point of view by our blessed Lord, who tells us that " it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God0." And wherefore is this ? It is because his habits of indulgence have so enslaved him, that he cannot overcome them ; nor can any thing but Omnipotence itself effect his deliverance p.]
3. Its opportunities for exercise are multiplied —
[Habit calls around us those persons and temptations that are most subservient to its indulgence. The man of pleasure moves in a round of gaiety and amusement. The man who is in the pursuit of wealth, is to be found, wherever his favourite object may be best accomplished. The man who affects pre-eminence and distinction, is ever prosecuting his plans by such methods as lie within his reach. Thus all put themselves in the very way of temptation, and of indulging the sin which most easily besets them. If they even fled from the occasions of sin, they would be in great danger: but when they accumulate to themselves occasions of falling, and lay continually stumbling-blocks in their own way, it is no wonder
k 2 Kings viii. 13. > Phil. iii. 18, 19. m 2 Pet. ii. 14.
n Prov. xxvi. 14. ° Matt. xix. 24. p Matt. xix. 26.