What tears can quench that fire? By Thomas Watson.

Sin has the devil for its father, shame for its companion, and death for its wages. See the evil effects of sin. Sin has corrupted us. As poison corrupts the blood, so sin corrupts the soul. Sin has degraded us of our honor. God made us in His own image, but sin has made us like devils. You are of your father the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires. John 8 verse 44.

Sin disquiets the peace of the soul. There is no peace for the wicked. Isaiah 57 verse 21. Whatever defiles, disturbs. Sin creates fears. And there is torment in fear. Sin makes sad convulsions in the conscience. Judas was so terrified with guilt and horror that he hanged himself to quiet his conscience. In order to ease his conscience, he threw himself into hell.

Sin produces all temporal evil. Sin is the Trojan horse which has sword and famine and pestilence in its belly. Sin is a coal which not only blackens, but burns. Sin creates all our troubles. It puts gravel into our bread and wormwood in our cup. Sin rots the name, consumes the estate, buries loved ones. Sin, unrepented of, brings final damnation. The canker which breeds in the rose is the cause of its perishing. Just so, the corruptions which breed in men's souls are the cause of their damning.

Sin's pleasure will turn to sorrow at last. Like the book the prophet ate, sin is sweet in the mouth, but bitter in the belly. Sin brings the wrath of God. What tears can quench that fire?

This Puritan devotional has been brought to you by Grace Gems, a treasury of ageless Sovereign Grace writings. Please visit our website at www.gracegems.org, where you can browse and freely download thousands of choice books, sermons, and quotes, along with select audio messages. No donations accepted. Thank you.