Consider in what terms God speaks of this sin. At all times He has manifested the greatest abhorrence for the sin of impurity. Holy Scripture gives abundant proof of this. It is said of Onan that the "Lord slew him because he did a detestable thing" (Gen. xxxviii. 10). St. Paul exposes the abominable character of luxury in these words: "Know you not that your bodies are the members of Christ? Shall I take the members of Christ and make them members of an harlot?" (i Cor. vi. 15). "He that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body." Such is the magnitude of the abhorrence which God has for this sin that under the Old Law certain sins of this nature were punished by death (Lev. xx. 12, 13).
Impurity is a grievous sin even in matters that might seem of little importance.
Even a thought freely consented to is a sin worthy of eternal damnation. A thought arises in a moment in the mind, the intellect sees its sinfulness, and the will adheres to it - a mortal sin is committed. Such is the teaching of the theologians. What must be the gravity of the sin of impurity when even the thought of an impure thing freely entertained constitutes so grievous a sin!
Consider the sins of the eyes. A glance as quick as thought is cast upon an impure object, and yet such a glance, quick though it be, may lead to mortal sin. "I say unto you that whosoever shall look upon a woman to lust after her hath already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Matt. v. 28). What importance attaches to unchaste looks!
Consider the gravity of impure speech. The lips are opened in a moment, how quickly a
