Ravens Loving the Scent of Carrion
“1/ yoit would be free from sm, avoid the temptations that lead to it. If ravens or crocus be driven away from carrion they love to abide within scent of This last sentence is a grim parable, but all too true. If human nature cannot yield an ell to self-indulgence, it will give its full inch. We have seen those who dared not enter the devil’s house linger long and lovingly around the doors. The old woman in the fable, who could find no wine in the jar, yet loved to smell at it. It is a clear proof of the love of human nature to evil that, when restrained from actual sin, men will rehearse their former exploits, and dote on the lusts which they indulged years ago. If they cannot have a fresh dish from Satan’s garden they will have “the cauld kail het again” sooner than go without.
Our author gives sage advice at the outset, when he says, — to avoid sin, avoid temptation. He who would not be wounded should keep out of battle; he who would not be tossed about should not go to sea; he who would not be heated should keep away from the fire. If men will get into the train which runs to the terminus of iniquity they must expect to be carried to their journey’s end. He who desires to keep awake should not go to bed. If I stand in the way of sinners I shall soon run with them. Oh, to possess a godly fear, which shall lead me rather to go ten miles round about, than pass by the place of temptation! It is well to keep out of the smell of sin, for the very odour of it is baneful.
If we seek a temptation we shall soon find it; and within it, like a kernel in a nut, we shall meet with sin. Oh, that our young people had the wdt to see this, and were more firmly resolved not to stand in the broad road, or even near it, lest they should become regular travellers upon it! Lord, give them prudence. Yea, give me prudence, and, as I would not devour the carrion of sin, give me such a renewed nature that the most distant scent of it shall at once sicken me, and cause me to urge my steps as far from it as possible.