supposing the gratifications of sin to be without alloy (though it will be found that the delicious draught is mixed with much gall) will they not be dearly purchased with the loss of the soul ? Will not the torments of hell be greater than the plea- sures of sin ? The worms that may feed upon the body will die when our flesh is consumed ; and the fire that may consume our body will be extinguished at last for want of fuel : but " the worm that will gnaw our conscience will never die ; nor will the fire of God's wrath be ever quenched," because we shall be preserved as food for the one and fuel for the other to all eternity. What can sin offer us that can compensate for such a doom ? Surely then this argument should induce us to mortify our most beloved lusts. Our Lord repeats it thus frequently, that it may the more deeply impress our minds. Let us then weigh it with the attention it deserves ; and act as those who feel its force and importance.]
Infer —
1 . In what a lamentable state are the world at large ! [Men will persuade themselves that they are in the way to
heaven, even while they are neglecting many duties, and com- mitting many actual sins. But can they derive much encourage- ment from the words of our text ? O that they did but credit the declarations of our Lord ! Shall they, who retain only one bosom lust, be in danger of " hell-fire," and they be safe who live in the allowed commission of many sins ? Have they no reason to dread the worm that dieth not, and the fire that is not quenched ? Shall they set up their idols in their heart, and God not answer them according to the multitude of their idolss? Would to God that we could weep over such poor deluded creatures ; that " our head were waters, and our eyes a fountain of tears to run down for them day and night !" May God give them just views of the eternal world! And may they be so persuaded by these terrors of the Lord as to flee immediately from the wrath to come, and to lay hold on eternal life !]
2. What need have the professors of religion to
watch over their own hearts !
[It is no easy thing to know whether we be freed from our besetting sin. We have many pleas to urge in extenuation of its guilt, and many specious names whereby to conceal its malignity. How were even the Disciples themselves led captive by ambition and revenge, when they were least aware of their subjection to such evil principles11 ! Thus it may be with us also. How then should we search and try our hearts to find
s Ezek. xiv. 4. h ver. 35. Luke ix, 54.