this, I think that the mention of distinct heads would be an interruption to us, and weaken the impression which the text itself is calculated to convey.
We declare then to you, brethren, that sin in- dulged will destroy your souls —
[The Scriptures speak of sin under the twofold character, of the " filthiness of the flesh, and the filthiness of the spirit3." Both these kinds of sin are mentioned in my text : " fornication and unclean ness" belonging to " the flesh," and "covetousness" having its seat rather in "the spirit." Now these, whether more open and flagrant, or more secret and refined, are alike fatal to the soul, if they be harboured and indulged. They alike exclude us from heaven : for it is impossible that a per- son who lives in the commission of them should " have any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God" ]
And " this" if you know any thing of Christianity, "you know" —
[The whole voice of Scripture declares it. Even reason itself may be considered as bearing testimony to it : for what delight can a holy God take in an unholy being ? or how can the Lord Jesus Christ, " who died to destroy the works of the devil, exalt to a participation of his kingdom one who is ful- filling the works of the devil ? We may as well conceive that " Christ and Belial should have communion with each other," as that a man who regards and retains iniquity in his heart should enter into the kingdom of heaven ]
Let nothing, therefore, weaken the impression of this upon your minds —
[There are those who will dispute against this. They will speak of " uncleanness," especially if the marriage-bed be not invaded, as, at most, a venial fault, necessarily arising from the ardour of youth, and undeserving of any serious regard. And as to " covetousness," there is no such thing existing in the world, if every person's estimate of himself may be relied on. Men will, indeed, impute it to others ; but no one acknow- ledges it in himself. Every one covers it with some specious name : ' It is prudence, economy, diligence, a proper regard for one's family ; and surely there can be no blame attached to habits like these.' But let it be remembered what " covet- ousness "is: it is a desiring of any thing for its own sake, that we may find our happiness in it, rather than in God; and place our dependence on it, rather than on God : and that
a 2 Cor. vii. 1 .