There are cases in which a thorn might be pierced into the flesh an inch, and produce no pain or irritation; but they are cases where there is no _life_ in the flesh. A thorn pierced into a _dead body_ will produce no pain or irritation. A dead body has no power to resist it, and will make no effort. This is the reason precisely that a thorn produces no irritation or pain when pierced into certain bodies. They are _dead bodies_. It is no indication that the body is not alive and in healthy condition, to find it resisting foreign matter, and making an effort to remove obstructions; but when it can not do this, the body must die. It can not live and the obstruction remain, at least, only for a short time. But who will permit even a _little thorn_ to remain in his flesh? We care not how little it may be; it is foreign, it is irritating, and, unless removed, will produce death. It was a little thing for Eve to partake of the forbidden fruit. Thomas Paine inquired, “What harm was there in eating an apple?” This is the watchword with all the unlawful things that people desire to do. “What harm is it?” When we worship according to Scripture we never inquire, “What harm is it?” It is not in doubt, and calls out no such inquiry. It is not under any suspicion. To worship according to Scripture is manifestly right. Why should we lag in anything in doubt, under suspicion, and repulsive to any portion of the body, when we have a divinely-prescribed worship held in no doubt? It was a little thing for Achan to take a Babylonish garment, some silver, and a wedge of gold, and secrete them in his tent; but when he came to confess, it was not a little matter. He said: “I have sinned against the Lord God of Israel.” On account of this _little matter_, three thousand men were defeated, and Israel disgraced. “Joshua said, Why hast thou troubled us? the Lord shall trouble thee this day. And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire, after they had stoned them with stones.” Here is a fine sample of little matters, and of troubling the people of God with little matters. See Joshua vii. 19-26. It was a little matter for Uzza to “put forth his hand to hold the ark;” but he fell dead on account of it. See 1 Chron. xiii. 9. He appeared to have been friendly to the ark, sincere, etc., but his touching the ark brought death. What harm was there in touching the ark? It did not injure it. It may be that he saved it from falling. But he violated the law of God. He incurred the anger of God.