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There is a cause for every effect. Moral evil, as a cause, has produced the most awful, alarming, and extensive consequences.

I. GIVE THE CHARACTER OF THE SINNER.

1. What is sin? The transgression of the law (1 John 3:4). No law, no transgression. There is a law, which is grounded in the moral perfections of God.

2. Sin is a contempt of God's authority. It is s forfeiture of His favour, and an exposure to His sore displeasure.

3. Sinners who refuse to submit to Christ — the Saviour from sin — sin against the gospel law of liberty and love.

II. WICKEDNESS IS THE SINNER'S RUIN.

1. It exhausts his property. Sin is a very expensive thing. The passions are clamorous, exorbitant, and reckless, till gratified.

2. It blasts his reputation. Sin can never be deemed honourable, on correct principles.

3. It destroys his health. Intemperance has a natural tendency to undermine the best constitution.

4. It hastens the approach of death.

5. It effects the damnation of the soul. Coming to sin beyond remedy, he goes to his own place.Improvement:

1. How awfully destructive is the love of sin.

2. It is the interest of every person to hate and shun sin.

3. A sinner, perishing in his sin, has no one to blame but himself.

4. From the whole subject we perceive the necessity, expedience, and advantage of securing true religion, by repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

(Sketches of Four Hundred Sermons.)

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KJV: Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.

WEB: Righteousness guards the way of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.