Soul Idolatry Excludes Men Out of Heaven - David Clarkson (1621-1686)This is a sermon (?) that I read in preparation for tomorrow night's lesson entitled, "What is sin?"
I found it very insightful and convicting, and I would highly recommend that you read it when you have time, as it will probably take about 10-15 minutes to read (5 pages in a Word document). Because the sermon is almost 400 years old, the language is a little outdated at times, but I don't believe it is so difficult as to make it impossible for the reader to be able to pick up the main point of what he is trying to say.
In the sermon, Clarkson outlines 13 forms of soul worship (secret idolatry). Here are a few quotes to wet your appetite:
Concerning Mind Idolatry:
"If either you do not think of God or think otherwise of Him than He is...this is to set up an idol instead of God."
Concerning Intentions Idolatry:
"When our chief design is to be rich, or great, or safe, or famous, or powerful -- when our great aim is our own ease, or pleasure, or credit, or profit and advantage -- when we aim at, or intend anything more, or anything as much, as the glorifying and enjoying of God -- this is soul idolatry."
Concerning Hope Idolatry:
"And thus [committing the sin of secret idolatry] do others among us, who make their prayers, their sorrow for sin, their work of charity (love), or any acts of religion or righteousness, their hope -- when men expect hereby to satisfy God's justice, to pacify God's displeasure, and to procure heaven."
Concerning Zeal (passion) Idolatry:
"...to count it intolerable for ourselves to be reproached, slandered, reviled; but manifest no indignation when God is dishonored, His name, Sabbaths, worship, profaned; His truths, ways, people, reviled -- this is idolatrous."
"Therefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry!" 1 Cor. 10:14
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