They
may even be done for the mere pleasure in another man's pain, as
the spectators of gladiatorial shows or the people who deride and
mock at others. These are the major forms of iniquity that spring
out of the lust of the flesh, and of the eye, and of power.[75]
Sometimes there is just one; sometimes two together; sometimes all
of them at once. Thus we live, offending against the Three and
the Seven, that harp of ten strings, thy Decalogue, O God most
high and most sweet.[76] But now how can offenses of vileness
harm thee who canst not be defiled; or how can deeds of violence
harm thee who canst not be harmed? Still thou dost punish these
sins which men commit against themselves because, even when they
sin against thee, they are also committing impiety against their
own souls. Iniquity gives itself the lie, either by corrupting or
by perverting that nature which thou hast made and ordained. And
they do this by an immoderate use of lawful things; or by lustful
desire for things forbidden, as "against nature"; or when they are
guilty of sin by raging with heart and voice against thee,
rebelling against thee, "kicking against the pricks"[77]; or when
they cast aside respect for human society and take audacious
delight in conspiracies and feuds according to their private likes
and dislikes.
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