莱尔主教upper_room-第92章
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
habits are formed by a succession of little acts； and the first little
act is of mighty consequence。 The axe in the fable only begged the
trees to let him have one little piece of wood to make a handle； and he
would never trouble them any more。 He got it； and then he soon cut them
all down。 The devil only wants to get the wedge of a little allowed sin
into your heart； and you will soon be all his own。 It is a wise saying
of old William Bridge； 〃There is nothing small betwixt us and God； for
God is an infinite God。〃
There are two ways of ing down from the top of a church steeple； one
is to jump down；and the other is to e down by the steps： but both
will lead you to the bottom。 So also there are two ways of going to
hell； one is to walk into it with your eyes open；few people do that；
the other is to go down by the steps of little sins；…and that way； I
fear； is only too mon。 Put up with a few little sins； and you will
soon want a few more。 Even a heathen ＇29＇ could say； 〃Who ever was
content with only one sin？〃 And then your course will be regularly
worse and worse every year。 Well did Jeremy Taylor describe the
progress of sin in a man： 〃First it startles him； then it bees
pleasing； then easy； then delightful； then frequent； then habitual；
then confirmed； then the man is impenitent； then obstinate； then
resolves never to repent； and then he is damned。〃
Young men； if you would not e to this； recollect the rule I give you
this day；resolve at once to break off every known sin。
（2） For another thing； resolve； by God's help； to shun everything which
may prove an occasion of sin。
It is an excellent saying of good Bishop Hall； 〃He that would be safe
from the acts of evil； must widely avoid the occasions。'' ＇30＇ It is
not enough that we determine to mit no sin； we must carefully keep
at a distance from all approaches to it； By this test we ought to try
our ways of spending our time；the books that we read； the families
that we visit； the society into which we go。 We must not content
ourselves with saying； 〃There is nothing positively wrong here；〃 we
must go further； and say； 〃Is there anything here which may prove to me
the occasion of sin？〃
This； be it remembered； is one great reason why idleness is so much to
be avoided。 It is not that doing nothing is of itself so positively
wicked； it is the opportunity it affords to evil thoughts； and vain
imaginations； it is the wide door it opens for Satan to throw in the
seeds of bad things； it is this which is mainly to be feared。 If David
had not given occasion to the devil； by idling on his house…top at
Jerusalem； he would probably never have seen Bathsheba； nor murdered
Uriah。
This； too； is one great reason why worldly amusements are so
objectionable。 It may be difficult； in some instances； to show that
they are； in themselves； positively unscriptural and wrong。 But there
is little difficulty in showing that the tendency of almost all of them
is most injurious to the soul。 They sow the seeds of an earthly and
sensual frame of mind。 They war against the life of faith。 They promote
an unhealthy and unnatural craving after excitement。 They minister to
the lust of the flesh； and the lust of the eye； and the pride of life。
They dim the view of heaven and eternity； and give a false colour to
the things of time。 They indispose the heart for private prayer； and
Scripture…reading； and calm munion with God。 The man who mingles in
them is like one who gives Satan vantage…ground。 He has a battle to
fight； and he gives his enemy the help of sun； and wind； and hill。 It
would be strange indeed if he did not find himself continually
overe。
Young men； endeavour； as much as in you lies； to keep clear of
everything which may prove injurious to your soul。 Never hold a candle
to the devil。 People may say you are over scrupulous； too particular；
where is the mighty harm of such and such things？ But heed them not。 It
is dangerous to play tricks with edged tools： it is far more dangerous
to take liberties with your immortal soul。 He that would be safe must
not e near the brink of danger。 He must look on his heart as a
magazine of gunpowder； and be cautious not to handle one spark of
temptation more than he can help。
Where is the use of your praying； 〃Lead us not into temptation；〃 unless
you are yourselves careful not to run into it； and 〃deliver us from
evil；〃 unless you show a desire to keep out of its way？ Take example
from Joseph；Not merely did he refuse his mistress's solicitation to
sin； but he showed his prudence in refusing to be 〃with her〃 at all
（Gen。 39：10）。 Lay to heart the advice of Solomon； not merely to 〃go not
in the path of wickedness；〃 but to 〃avoid it； pass not by it； turn from
it； and pass away〃 （Prov。 4：15）； not merely not to be drunken； but not
even to 〃look upon the wine when it is red〃 （Prov。 23：31）。 The man who
took the vow of a Nazarite in Israel； not only took no wine； but he
even abstained from grapes in any shape whatever。 〃Abhor that which is
evil；〃 says Paul to the Romans （Rom。 12：9）； not merely do not do
it；〃。Flee youthful lusts；〃 he writes to Timothy； get away from them
as far as possible （2 Tim。 2：22）。 Alas； how needful are such cautions！
Dinah must needs go out among the wicked Shechemites； to see their
ways； and she lost her character。 Lot must needs pitch his tent near
sinful Sodom； and he lost everything but his life。
Young men； be wise in time。 Do not be always trying how near you can
allow the enemy of souls to e； and yet escape him。 Hold him at arm's
length。 Try to keep clear of temptation as far as possible； and this
will be one great help to keep clear of sin。
（3） For another thing； resolve never to forget the eye of God。
The eye of God！ Think of that。 Everywhere； in every house； in every
field； in every room； in every pany； alone or in a crowd； the eye of
God is always upon you。 〃The eyes of the Lord are in every place；
beholding the evil and the good〃 （Prov。 15：3）； and they are eyes that
read hearts as well as actions。
Endeavour； I beseech you all； to realize this fact。 Recollect that you
have to do with an all…seeing God；a God who never slumbereth nor
sleepeth；a God who understands your thoughts afar off； and with whom
the night shines as the day。 You may leave your father's roof； and go
away； like the prodigal； into a far country； and think that there is
nobody to watch your conduct； but the eye and ear of God are there
before you。 You may deceive your parents or employers； you may tell
them falsehoods； and be one thing before their faces； and another
behind their backs； but you cannot deceive God。 He knows you through
and through。 He heard what you said as you came here to…day。 He knows
what you are thinking of at this minute。 He has set your most secret
sins in the light of His countenance； and they will one day e out
before the world to your shame； except you take heed。
How little is this really felt！ How many things are done continually；
which men would never do if they thought they were seen！ How many
matters are transacted in the chambers of imagination； which would
never bear the light of day！ Yes； men entertain thoughts in private；
and say words in private； and do acts in private； which they would be
ashamed and blush to have exposed before the world。 The sound of a
footstep ing has stopped many a deed of wickedness。 A knock at the
door has caused many an evil work to be hastily suspended； and
hurriedly laid aside。 But oh； what miserable driveling folly is all
this！ There is an all…seeing Witness with us wherever we go。 Lock the
door； draw down the blind； shut the shutters； put out the candle； it
matters not； it makes no difference； God is everywhere； you cannot shut
Him out； or prevent HIS seeing。 〃All things are naked and open unto the
eyes of Him with whom we have to do〃 （
