On the Quality of Vice
J. Mackenzie, D. D. Romans 7:13 Was then that which is good made death to me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good… I. That vice possesses some unknown malignant quality may be inferred from the observation that THE CONSEQUENCES OF IT BEAR NO PROPORTION TO OUR IMMEDIATE SENTIMENTS CONCERNING IT. Revelation represents it as sweet in the mouth and bitter in the belly. II. That vice possesses a malignity with which we are at present but very imperfectly acquainted, may be concluded from THE ACTIVITY OF THIS QUALITY AND THE UNEXPECTED BUT CERTAIN PROGRESS WHICH IT MAKES WHEREVER IT HAS BEEN ONCE ADMITTED. It is an infection which from the slightest taint spreads actively throughout the whole character. And it exhibits the very same progress in societies as in individuals. III. That vice possesses a malignity unknown to us appears from THE REMORSE WHICH FOLLOWS IT AND THE UNACCOUNTABLE TERRORS WITH WHICH IT AGITATES THE MIND. As soon as it has gained your confidence, it stings your bosom. It is a friend who flatters you into a bad action for some purpose of his own, and then leaves you to your reflections. IV. That vice possesses some uncommon malignity of quality is evident from this remarkable observation, that THE CONSEQUENCES OF IT ALMOST ALWAYS REACH BEYOND THE MAN HIMSELF WHO COMMITS IT AND AFFECT NUMBERS OF OTHER PEOPLE. The vices of every individual affect his neighbourhood and disturb the circle, whatever it is to which he is attached. The vices of the children affect the parents, and the vices of the parents result upon the family, and upon all who may have transactions with it. The vices of the magistrate affect the district over which he presides; the vices of the minister or sovereign affect the nation which they guide, and often pull down enormous ruin upon the community. V. The same doctrine arises and receives new force from A GENERAL VIEW OF THE WORLD AND OF ITS ESTABLISHMENTS. Mankind are collected everywhere into societies; these societies are bound by laws and united under distinct governments. What, then, is the great object of laws and of society itself? To protect from injury, or, in other words, to restrain vice. The different establishments of religion have the same object. VI. The malignity of vice will be made manifest from a view of THE EFFECTS WHICH, NOTWITHSTANDING ALL THE PRECAUTIONS WE CAN TAKE, IT HAS PRODUCED AND IS PRODUCING DAILY AMONG MANKIND. The earthquakes which overturn the cities are not more fatal than the extensive and continued movements with which it agitates our system. No barriers avail, no defences are found sufficient. Though mankind are everywhere arrayed against it, yet it breaks in and spreads misery and destruction round it. The happiness of individuals, the peace of families, the order of society, and the harmony of nations are swept before it. In private and public life what disorders and distress does it accumulate! It produces want, infamy, and death. But the effects of it in private life, amazing as they are, fall vastly short, both in number and extent of mischief, of its effects in public. Here it acts upon a larger theatre, and displays itself more fully as it acts without restraint. VII. It will complete this argument to observe that REVELATION AGREES PERFECTLY WITH REASON IN HER VIEWS OF VICE AND HOLDS IT OUT AS THE SAME MALIGNANT AND FATAL ENEMY. On the other hand, representing vice as the source of misery, Scripture discovers the Supreme Being, the wise and benevolent Parent of His creation, as obstructing its progress; extracting, in the first instance, all the good possible from it; and, in the last, taking the strongest measures to defeat and expel it finally from the system. (J. Mackenzie, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. WEB: Did then that which is good become death to me? May it never be! But sin, that it might be shown to be sin, by working death to me through that which is good; that through the commandment sin might become exceeding sinful.