3. They lessen the merit of good works in the same manner as "dying flies spoil the sweetness of the ointment." (Eccles. x. 1.) 4. They are impediments to prayer, and they diminish our devotion. 5. They counteract the effects of the sacraments. 6. They give our arch-enemy a cause of triumph, whilst they displease the angels and Saints; and lastly, they force God Himself to dislike us; for of such souls He says, "T would thou wert cold or hot; but because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will begin to vomit thee out of my mouth." (Apoc. iii. 15, t6.)
III. From these principles it is evident that it is not lawful, even to save the whole world, to commit one venial sin. And yet how many have you committed, and why have you committed them? Although every Christian is bound to avoid them; yet those who have especially bound themselves to imitate Jesus Christ in perfection ought to shun them in a peculiar manner. God enjoins every one of His Levites " to be perfect and without spot before the Lord his God." (Deut. xviii. 13.) Examine your life and your actions, and for the future attempt to lead a spotless life, for it is a terrible thing to offend the Lord your God.
Venial Sin.— III. Its Punishment.
I. Consider the words of royal David: "Thou art just, O Lord, and Thy judgment is righteous." (Ps. cxviii. 137.) This just Lord, however, has inflicted the most severe punishments on sins, which according to the opinions of most divines were only venial. 1. He struck Mary the sister of Moses with a leprosy (Num. xii. 10) for only lightly murmuring against her brother, notwithstanding his earnest supplication for his sister's pardon. 2. He
