s them into his power. For a time the way of transgressors is made
easy and pleasant. The broad road is shaded, and edged with fair
fruits and flowers. The down-hill path is strewn with glittering
jewels, the booths of vanity fair are fitted with all manner of
delights, and the poor slave goes on, scarce feeling his chains, or
knowing of his slavery, till the day of reckoning comes. "There is a
way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of
death." A saint of old once saw a man leading a herd of swine, which
followed him willingly. The saint asked whither he was taking them,
and he answered, to the slaughter. When the saint marvelled that the
swine should go so readily to their death, the man showed him that they
followed him for the sake of the sweet food in his hand, and knew not
whither they were going. My brothers, the servants of sin follow Satan
for the sake of the sweet things which he offers, and know not that
they are going to their death, even the living death of a lost soul.
Some of you remember the old German legend of doctor Faustus. It is a
terrible parable of the fate of all those who become the slave of sin.
Faustus is represented as a man of great learning, who used his
knowledge for evil instead of good. Being filled with pride, he
refused to bow down to God, and made a bargain with Satan that he was
to have his own way, and every wish gratified for a certain term of
years, and then he was to pay the price--his own soul. During those
years he had all the health and strength of youth, he enjoyed all the
pleasures of the body, the world, the flesh, and the devil were his
servants. But one thing he lacked, he had not God, and so he had no
hope. There were times when he thought of the horrible bargain which
he had made. He desired to see Paradise and Hell, and he was shown a
glimpse of both. His servants found him in deep sorrow, and asked him
what he had seen, and what the sorrows of Hell were like. But he
answered that he remembered not, one thing only he recalled, the peace
and beauty of that Paradise which he had forfeited for ever. This is
the story of every slave of sin.

My brothers, there are many who have bargained with Satan, offering the
price of their own souls. When the Tempter came to the Saviour in the
wilderness, he offered Him the glory and splendour of the world if
Jesus would fall down and worship him. It is the same with us. Satan
offers us t