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   OWLAND HILL illustrated
the folly of sinners by the story of a butcher who was followed by
the swine right into the slaughterhouse. As pigs are not usually in
the mind to go where they are wanted, it seemed a mystery how these
animals were so eager to follow their executioner; but when it was
seen that he wisely carried a bag of pease and beans with which he
enticed the creatures onward, the riddle was solved at once.
Unsuspicious of impending death the hogs cared only for the passing
gratification of their appetites, and hastened to the slaughter—and
in the same manner ungodly men follow the great enemy of souls down
through the jaws of hell, merely because their depraved passions are
pleased with the lusts of the flesh and the pleasures of sin which
the devil gives them by handfuls on the road. Alas, that there should
be such likeness between men and swine!The joys of sin are so short and so
unsatisfactory, that they can never be thought of for a moment as a
fitting inducement for a rational being to lose his immortal soul.
Will a few hours' foolery, gambling, drinking, or wantoning,
compensate for eternal fire? Is the momentary indulgence of a base
passion worth the endurance of flames which never can be quenched? To
moan in vain for a drop of water! to be tormented by the never dying
worm! to be shut out from hope for ever! to be eternally cursed of
God! Is any sin worth all this? Can any gain make up for this? O ye
who delight in the poisonous sweets of sin, remember that though
pleasant in the mouth for the moment, sin will be as wormwood and
gall in your bowels for ever. Why will ye swallow the bait when you
know that the hook is there? Why will ye be lured by the Satanic
fowler? Surely in vain is the net spread in the sight of any bird;
but you are more foolish than the birds and fly into the snare when
you know it to be there. O that ye were wise, and would consider your
latter end. Let that one word Eternity ring in your ears and
drive out the giddy laughter of worldlings who prefer the present
joys of sense. "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is
eternal life by Jesus Christ." Jesus receiveth sinners. Go to him and
he will in no wise cast you out.
6.—Sword and Trowel Tracts—6d. per 100. Passmore & Alabaster, 23, Paternoster Row.
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