even Pilate's stony heart, and converted Longinus and the dying thief. Yet passive though He was under wrong, there was one accusation, one calumny He never allowed to go unchallenged. " Do we not say well that Thou hast a devil? " the Jews demanded, and prompt and sharp came His indignant reply: " I have not a devil, for which of you shall convince Me of sin? " To my mind no other incident in the life of Our Lord more strongly emphasizes the detestable nature of sin. So repugnant was it that the mere imputation was sufficient to draw an indignant protest even from the long-suffering Saviour.
Brethren, sin is an offence in thought, word, deed, or omission against the law of God. It is an act of rebellion on the part of His child against the most indulgent of Fathers. It is an offence against Him who reads the reins and the hearts, and who consequently takes account not only of external transgressions, but also of interior thoughts and desires. Its guilt is founded especially on the accompanying thought, intention or advertence which gives to the sinful act its human character. Sin interrupts the friendly relations between God and the soul; turns their love into hate, and puts an end to that interchange of gifts which love entails. And since to serve God and in return to be revivified with His grace is the very life of the soul, therefore when this exchange has once been interrupted by sin, the unrepentant soul is thenceforth wounded or dead according as its sin was venial or mortal. Hence the
