Chapter
70.—Almsgiving Will Not Atone for Sin Unless the Life Be
Changed.
We must beware, however, lest any
one should suppose that gross sins, such as are committed by those
who shall not inherit the kingdom of God, may be daily perpetrated,
and daily atoned for by almsgiving. The life must be changed for
the better; and almsgiving must be used to propitiate God for past
sins, not to purchase impunity for the commission of such sins in
the future. For He has given no man license to sin,
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although
in His mercy He may blot out sins that are already committed, if we
do not neglect to make proper satisfaction.
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Ecclus. xv. 20