Like a concealed worm at the root of a flower

Like a concealed worm at the root of a flower

(John Angell James)

It may be that your hindrances to a more rapid 
growth in grace, arise from some specific cause, 
some sin indulged, some corruption cherished. Is 
there not some sacrifice which you are unwilling 
to make, or something which you are unwilling to 
surrender? You must give up the forbidden thing, 
or your growth in grace is impossible! That one sin 
will, like a concealed worm at the root of a 
flower–eat out the very life of your piety, and 
cause it to droop, wither, and decay.