One has one's business to carry
on, or one's family to provide for, or one's party in politics to
serve; one must obey the laws of trade, the usages of society, the
interests of one's class;" and so forth. And so an excuse is found
for every sin, by those who know in their hearts that they are
sinning; for every sin; and among others, too often, for that sin of
Pharaoh's, of "NOT LETTING THE PEOPLE GO."
And how many, my friends, when they come to church, harden their
hearts in the same quiet, almost good-humoured way, not caring enough
for God's message to be even angry with it, and take the preacher's
warnings as they would a shower of rain, as something unpleasant
which cannot be helped; and which, therefore, they must sit out
patiently, and think about it as little as possible? And when the
sermon is over, they take their hats and go out into the churchyard,
and begin talking about something else as quickly as possible, to
drive the unpleasant thoughts, if there are a few left, out of their
heads. And thus they let the Lord's message to them harden their
hearts. For it does harden them, my friends, if it be taken in this
temper. Every time anyone sits through the service or the sermon in
this stupid and careless mood, he dulls and deadens his soul, till at
last he is able coolly to sit through the most awful warnings of
God's judgment, the most tender entreaties of God's love, as if he
were a brute animal without understanding.
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