blocking our way to God.

3. Note in one word that we have here at the beginning of human
history the solemn distinction which runs through it all. These two,
so near in blood, so separate in spirit, head the two classes into
which Scripture decisively parts men, especially men who have heard
the gospel. It is unfashionable now to draw that broad line between
the righteous and the wicked, believers and unbelievers. Sheep and
goats are all one. Modern liberal sentiment--so-called--will not
consent to such narrowness as the old-fashioned classification.
There are none of us black, and none white; we are all different
shades of grey. But facts do not quite bear out such amiable views.
Perhaps it is not less charitable, and a great deal truer, to draw
the line broad and plain, on one side of which is peace and safety,
and on the other trouble and death, if only we make it plain that no
man need stop one minute on the dark side.

4. The solemn divine voice reads the lesson of the power of sin,
when once done, over the sinner. Like a wild beast, it crouches in
ambush at his door, ready to spring and devour. The evil deed once
committed takes shape, as it were, and waits to seize the doer.
Remorse, inward disturbance, and above all, the fatal inclination to
repeat sin till it becomes a habit, are set forth with terrible
force in these grim figures. What a menagerie of ravenous beasts
some of us have at the doors of our hearts! With what murderous
longing they glare at us, seeking to fascinate us, and make us their
prey! When we sin, we cannot escape the issues; and every wrong
thing we do has a kind of horrible life given it, and sits
henceforth there, beside us, ready to rend us. The tempting,
seducing power of our own evils was never put in more startling and