Sin carries with it its own punishment.

The religion spirit-lives teach is one of acts and habits―

Not words and fitful faith. 

They teach religion of body, and religion of soul―

A religion pure, progressive, and true―

One that aims at no finality, but leads its votary higher and higher through the ages until the dross of earth is purged away―

The spiritual nature is refined and sublimated, and the spirit perfected through suffering and toil and experience is presented in glorified purity before the very footstool of its God. 

In this religion you will find no place for sloth and carelessness. 

The note of spirit-teaching is earnestness and zealous. 

In it you will find no shirking of the consequences of acts. 

Such shirking is impossible. 

Sin carries with it its own punishment. 

Nor will you find a convenient substitute on whose shoulders you may bind the burdens, which you have prepared. 

Your own back must bear them, and your own spirit groan under their weight. 

Neither will you find encouragement to live a life of animal sensuality and brutish selfishness, in the hope that an orthodox belief will hide your debased life, and that faith will throw a veil over impurity.

You will discover that the flimsy veil is rent aside with stern hand, leaving the foul-life laid bare, and the poor spirit naked and open to the eye of all who gaze on it. 

Nor will you find any hope that you may get a cheap reprieve that God is merciful and will not be severe to mark your sins. 

Those human imaginings pale in the light of truth. 

You will gain mercy when you have deserved it, or rather, repentance and amendment, purity and sincerity, truth and progress will bring their own reward.