the Kingdom of Christ the Crown of Christ the Glory of Christ and the Company of Christ to all Eternity Ah Christians throw away your beloved sins and all these shall be yours 8. Rom. 13. there 's the duty what follows verse 14. what then verse 17. so 1 Cor. 3. 16. i. e. such as keep themselves from their Iniquity for the spirit of God never enters in till this sin be cast out well what then verses 21 22 23. the Scripture is full of promises to this purpose But what can be said more he that hath Christ hath all things what ever he can desire 84. Psalm 11. O that God should wager us to be sincere and upright and yet we still remain willful and obstinate we have not only precept upon precept to leave this sin but we have also promise upon promise if we will leave it O what sots what bruits are we if we should esteem of this sin before all the promises of the Gospel the riches of grace and the glories of Heaven O sinner let me speak plainly to thee what wouldst thou have God to do for thee to carry thee to Heaven with this sin in thy heart I tell thee God will not do it yea with reverence be it spoken God cannot do it 21. Revel 27. what hath not God staked down sufficient against a single sin wouldst thou have God to bid more he hath given us his Son already and with him hath freely granted all good things to us what wouldst thou have more wouldst thou be more glorious than God can make thee more secure than Heaven can make thee more rich than Christ can make thee more joyful than the Holy Spirit the Comforter can make thee and more blessed than all the promises of the Gospel can make thee Well sinner if all this will not persuade thee to part with thy sin I have done keep it still go to Hell with it and try what markets thou canst make there 5. A Fifth Motive is this Consider the several aggravations of this sin should I reckon them up 't would make your very hairs to stand an end and your joynts to tremble well I will shew them to you that you may see I have not been so long upon this Text persuading you from this sin to no purpose Aggravations of this sin called our own Iniquity 1. 'T is a sin against light sins of ignorance cannot properly be called our own Iniquities but that sin is our Iniquity which though we know it to be a sin yet for some pleasure or profit or the like we still retain it This aggravation heightens it above that horrid sin of the Jews in Crucifying Christ 3. Acts 14 15 17. verses nay Saint Paul tells us if they had known it they would not have done it 1 Cor. 2. 8. But this is an high aggravation of sin to know it and yet to commit it All that Paul could plead for his bloody sin was his ignorance 1 Tim. 1. 13. If Paul had known it to be a sin he would not have done it for all the World 26. Acts 9. But what canst thou say for thy self O sinner that sinnest against knowledge thou that knowest swearing to be a sin and yet wilt swear drunkenness and yet be drunk whoredom yet play the baud oppression of the poor cozening yet gripe and cheat O know that your sins deserve an hotter Hell than they that Crucifyed Christ and worse than Paul's that persecuted Christ O sinner tremble to think that thou art worse than Herod and Pilate and the cruel Jews that spit in Christ's face had they known so much as you or made so much profession they would not have done the like 2. 'T is a willful sin This aggravation makes this sin like Saul taller by the head and shoulders than all other sins we pity a man that is working upon the top of an house and his foot slips and he falls down and bruises himself but that man that goes willfully to the top of an house and on set purpose leaps down and breaks his neck deserves no pity at all sins of weakness and infirmity are called in Scripture 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the slipping of the foot unawares these we are to pity and be carefull of 6. Gal. 1. there are three words significant 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 preocupatus overtaken unawares 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the slipping of the foot 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 set him in joynt again God doth pity such and he would have us pity such as sin out of weakness but a willfull sin 't is a sin that God cannot endure see what charge Christ gives his Ministers concerning such Persons who willfully contâ—in in their sins against the means 6. Mark. 11. and again there is a dreadfull place 22. Revel 11. and he that is willfully so so the place must be understood what follows verse 12. remember that under the law there was a sacrifice appointed for the sin of infirmity but the willfull sinner was to be cut off read and tremble and that place â—… Numb 27 30 31. 3. 'T is a deliberate sin a sin in cool blood this sin is the sin of our thoughts we contrive it there and then put it in practise this is like the Gadarens they besought Christ to be gone from them for they had no leisure to hear him Preach they had work enough to do to look after their Swine so these Persons they have no time to entertain Christ in their hearts they are full of contrivances how to manage and carry on their sin O this makes this sin abominable because we commit it with deliberation an holy man may commit a sin in a passion which he hates O but these they set their thoughts and their wits a work to commit this sin the Scripture always condemns deliberate sinning 4. Prov. 14 15. What sinners O deliberate sinners they are expressed two ways 1 by contriving sin forecasting it on their beds verse 16. 2 by their deliberate commission of it 't is as their meat and drink to them verse 17. there is a woe to such 2. Mic. 1. these are far from mercy 14. Prov. 22. err i. e. from mercy as the Antithesis note I will shew you the sad end of such Persons in the case of Joab 1 Kings 2. 5 6. Joab had killed many in war O but those two he contrived their death he killed them in cool blood that brought sorrow to him at last so here c. tremble at it 4. 'T is an heart hardning sin other sins defile the heart but this hardens a man's heart against all reproofs admonitions checks of Conscience and all means of Repentance whatever this is another great aggravation of this sin this was that which was the sin of Pharaoh God had sent him message after message and yet all would not do because his sin had hardned his heart this provoked the Lord to destroy him O sinners tremble at this hardness of heart
sickness 2. The Scripture doth no where tell us that such a sin again committed shall not be pardoned 1. God will forgive us as much as he commands us to forgive others we must till seventy seven times 2. No sin but the sin against the Holy Ghost unpardonable because we cannot repent of it 3. A Man may commit the same sin again and again and yet be in Christ and a state of grace as David Peter c. 4. A Man may commit the same sin often yet not be his own beloved sin 2. Some Cautions added 1. Take heed of this falling sickness relapse dangerous 2. Presume not on the examples of the saints of falling again 3. Take heed of relying too much on your own strength 4. Make use of the means to keep from relapsing 1. Keep a tender heart 2. Repent to the purpose 3. Our Saviours receipt 26. Mat. 41. 3. Scruple because they find not the influences of the ordinances Answer'd 2 ways 1. By concession This sin if it be still in us and we do countenance it will hinder the power and vertues of the Ordinances 2. By caution in 2 words 1. Take heed that this be not false that you say not you find no influence when you do to state the Question aright consider 2 things 1. What are the influences of the Ordinances they are 4. 1. Pricking wounding 2. Humbling 3. Strengthning 4 comforting 2. Examin your selves whether you have felt none of these perhaps some though not all 2. Take heed this be not true 't is a dangerous case the means to get influences 1. Go not to the Ordinances in your own strength 2. Look beyond all duties and ordinances they are but means eye the end 3. Be much in prayer to god for an influence on your Souls 4. Scruple because they see more sin in them now than before answered in 4 things 1. Consider the work of conversion 't is to open the eyes to see sin which we saw not before 2. After conversion there is a contrary principle of grace and sin and that fights and that makes us think sin stronger than before 3. The Devil will trouble us now more than before by laying sin to our charge 4. 'T is a sign of a state of grace for any Man to be in this condition 5. Scruple because they think their Repentance not good enough ans two ways 1. 'T is a good sign that person hath truly repented who is troubled he hath repented no better 2. By direction to know true Repentan two ways 1. By its root Humiliation the deeper the surer 2 fold 1. In respect of what is past 2. Fearful careful for the futu 2. By its fruits 2 sorts 1. Turning from sin loathing it as much as formerly loving it 2. Turning to God and godliness 6. Scruple because they are afraid to dye answ 4. ways 1. By concession in 2 particulars 1. That there is nothing in all the World so terrible as Death is 2. Sin as it is the only thing that brought in death so it makes it terrible 2. By distinction between a natural and a sinful fear of death 3. By consolation a true saint if he fear death 't is without a cause 4. By exhortation to seek after assurance that will expel all fears of death 2. Pleas of the wicked for themselves that this sin is out when 't is not these are 7. 1. Plea bec no body can charge them with sin ans 3. ways 1. 'T is the policy of this sin to lye so close that others cannot perceive it 2. Perhaps others may see it and yet not tell thee of it 3. If God condemn thee what advantage is it that the whole World acquit thee 2. Plea bec Conscience doth not check them answered in 4 things 1. Though Conscience doth not accuse you it doth not follow that it cannot 2. It doth not follow that therefore conscience will never accuse you 3. You say conscience doth not accuse you but doth conscience excuse you there 's the Question 4. Take heed of such bad quiet Consciences as never smite for sin 3. Plea because conscience doth smite them ans 3. ways 1. Trust not too much to troubles of Conscience 2. Rules to judge of troubles of conscience 1. when a Man is never the better for them 1. Look to the fountain of these troubles is it only for fear of punishment 2. Examine what sins thou art troubled for only open gross sins 3. Whether doth this trouble drive thee 4. Consider the effects is it reformation 2. When a Man is the better for them 1. When the soul is more troubled for the sin than for the punishment 2. When the soul takes more care to be washed from the filth than freed from the guilt 3. When the soul carefully avoids sin ever after 4. Plea bec they perform duties and frequent ordinances ans in 5 things 1. Even the very Hypocrites do the same 1. That they may have whereof to boast 2. By outward duties to cloak their inward lusts 3. That they may have whereon to rest and trust to 2. A Man may do all duties and yet live under the power of sin 3. Duties performed where the life is not reformed do the more harden the heart in sin 4. Get the power of godliness into your hearts and use these duties as helps to it 5. If many that do these duties shall go to Hell what will become of those that do nothing 5. Plea be they have left many sins answ in 2 particulars 1. 'T is a good beginning but 't is not enough 1. There is no sinner in the world but abstains from yea hates some sins 2. The Scripture character of a Saint is not the leaving of such or such particular sins but sin in the general 3. Unless we repent and turn from all sins there 's no mercy Partial 2. A particular reformation is not true examin it by 2 Quest 1. Quest what are the sins reformed 1. Are they not only small petty sins or 2. Sins that cross and hinder preferment or 3. Gross iniquities that all the Country cryes shame on or 4. Such sins as have first left you 2. Question what kind of reformation 1. Only an outward of life and not of heart 2. Only of passion and not of Reason and Judgment 3. Only a leaving of sin and not an hating 4. Only a turning from sin and not a turning to God. 6. Plea be they can't endure sin in others answered 3 ways 1. Censuring and judging others will not make a true Saint 2. 'T is the sign of an Hypocrite to hate sin in others and not in himself 3. Follow the Gospel rules in this case 1. In judging and censuring our work lyes only at home 2. In reproving and reforming we must first begin at home and then go abroad 7. Plea be they are not only professors their good works are to be seen answered 2 ways 1. Even Hypocrites may imitate the
what shall we do to live we live by our sins we gain by our sins 19. Acts. 24 25. so some say we must cozen now and then or we cannot live by our trade we must to the Ale house now and then or we cannot get a good bargain do you so the Devil may take such gain if he will but know this that God is able to do more for you than sin can do 2 Kings 1. 2 3. what is there not a God in Heaven to provide for you that you must go to sin and the Devil to get a lively-hood Saul he never went to the Devil before God had left him and answered him no more but alass how many run to the Devil before God hath left them what is there never a promise in the whole Bible to comfort your hearts but you must go to sin for comfort is not Heaven rich enough and glorious enough to make you happy but you must have sin also to lye in the scales O remember this if you part with your best sins you shall be no losers 7. Be much in spiritual duties pray much against this sin this thine own sin read much hear much meditate of Christ and Grace of God and Heaven much perform these duties with a desire to be revenged on thy own sin As Sampson when he prayed to God for strength it was that he might be avenged on the Philistins Brethren we Pray to God for grace but 't is not with this intent that it might kill this sin and therefore we pray amiss when we hear a Sermon it is not with intent to get knowledge how to mortifie this sin and therefore we hear in vain and mark this whatever spiritual duty we perform if we do it not with an intent especially against this sin it is to no purpose David when he chose out five flint stones it was with an intent to kill Goliah with them and when the slung them he aimed at his head so let us do in all our spiritual duties level them so that we may take aim at this sin especially and then we shall prosper 1 Kings 22. 31. Alas what is it to kill a Thousand common Soldiers in an Army of Twenty Thousand kill the General and you have won the Field we Fight in vain unless we Fight against this King of sins in us 8. Labour as much as you can to thwart this particular sin we use to say one contrary will expel another look you what is contrary to thy corruption exercise thy self in that grace or vertue the way to make a crooked stick strait is to bend it as much the contrary way Is Covetousness thy sin then be much in giving Alms be much in meditating of the riches of Heaven follow our Saviours Counsel in the 19 th of Mat. 21. Is Drunkenness thy sin Pray for the Spirit of God 5. Eph. 18. Art thou given to Pride labour for Humility and think meanly of thy self think the best of others drive in grace as much as you can into the heart and that will drive out sin especially that particular grace that is opposite to this sin to cure a Wound you must get a suitable Plaister for that Wound so for the cure of this sin you must get a suitable grace 9. If after all this that you have done you cannot yet work out this sin then go to God and beg of him beg earnestly of him to do it for you 2 Chron. 20. Chap. 1 4 12. so if thou art afraid of this sin and dost seek the Lord with all thine heart God will assuredly help But the truth is we have no heart to Pray against this sin and therefore the Lord doth not hear our Prayers we deal with our sins as Pharoah with his Frogs in the 8 th of Ex. 8 9 10. so we would fain be rid of this sin many of us but not yet why not before we come to dye when we are leaving the World then we could be content to leave this sin O this is a sign that we do not desire to part with it and if we will not part with it now we shall never part with it O of all things let us have a care of such a frame of spirit as this is least God in judgment give us over to dye in this sin as we have desired all our days to live in it 3. Why we should above all things keep our selves from our own sins David in the Text tells us that he kept himself from his Iniquity 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the word as I shewed you in the beginning signifieth to prevent a danger that is likely to fall on us there is a Noun comes from this Verb which signifieth a Watch-tower as sentinels in a Garrison that stand in the Watch-tower espy the Enemy afar off coming to them before he seizes upon them and so prevents his design so David though he fell into other sins and was surprized as it were by other sins yet this sin which he calls his own sin he had a special eye unto was always upon his guard his Watch-Tower to prevent it certainly there was something in it David saw good reason for it that made him more carefull of this sin than of all others Now I will shew you some Reasons why we ought to be so careful against our own Iniquities 1. Because we love it so much this sin is the Souls darling the Souls beloved look into your hearts and search them well and you shall find a sin there that you love better than God or Christ or Heaven or your Souls It is said of Ahab that he sold himself to do wickedly oh this was an high prized sin what sell himself for a sin and are there not many Ahabs among us that will sell themselves for some sin or other A mans self is the highest price that he can set upon any sin that which we love best we prize most be it an horse or a dog I will not take an Hundred Pound for it But for a man to sell his Soul to the Devil nay Soul and Body to Hell to be tormented in the Fiery Lake of Brimstone Eternally for a Sin you will say that man pays dear enough for it O Friends here you see the force of the Reason keep your selves from this sin your love and affections from it because this is the sin that will take up all your love will take off your heart from God and Christ and your Salvation A man while he is suiting and hath deeply set his love upon a Woman will neglect all his other business that he may gain her for a Wife is it so with you in reference to any sin Brethren I desire to deal plainly and faithfully with your Souls and mine own have a care of that sin have a care of loving of it least you hate your Souls and hate God and Christ I will explain this by a comparison this sin is like Absalom Absalom
is it peace Jehu But what said he What peace so long as there are so many Whoredoms so O poor Soul what peace canst thou expect so long as sin is in thee Sin hardens thy heart and makes it like the stony ground and what good can the Word or the Ordinances do on the stony ground You know what hindred Herod that he received no good at all by John Baptist Preaching O he had an Herodias in his heart the Text tells us that he heard John gladly and did many things O but Herodias spoiled all had it not been for that one sin which Herod would not part withal he might have been a sincere convert for ought we know This sin will drive the word out of our hearts as fast as it is set home upon our hearts it will keep the Soul lean and ill favoured without any comfort under the fattest Ordinances But this I speak only by way of concession I am to speak to true sincere hearted Nathaniels that keep no sin in their hearts or desire and endeavour to be rid of every sin name any sin to them they cannot say they have any love to it and these Persons they complain that they feel not the influences of the Ordinances upon their Souls they feel not the power and comfort of them to these 2. Two words of caution 1. Take heed that this be not false examin the case well perhaps you may speak without your books there be many complain of this who yet have no reason to complain they think they are never the better for the Ordinances when indeed they are much the better Now that you may state the Question aright consider these two things 1. What are the influences of the Ordinances for answer to this there is a four-fold influence that the Ordinances have c. 1. A pricking wounding influence 't is such an influence as makes a man sensible of his condition every man by nature hath a spiritual kind of lethargie such a Disease in his Soul as the num-palsie is to the Body he is quite sottish and sensless hath not so much as the understanding of a bruit to know whether it be well or ill with him knows not whether he belong to Christ or the Devil is not sensible that he is in danger of Hell. Now this is the first power and influence of the Ordinances to bring a man to his right senses to make him understand his condition 2. Acts 37. here the word reacht to the quick before they were not sensible of what they had done O Brethren there be many that never felt this pricking wounding power of the Ordinances never yet were made sensible of their conditions that think all is well with them and hope to be saved as well as the best O if once they were but pricked to the heart how would they roar and cry out how would they be started at it to see the misery they are in 2. An humbling influence when a man is sensible of his lost condition then he begins to be humble he will never be humble till now poverty will bring a man upon his knees O then what will such a conviction as this is do when a man sees that he is ready to drop into Hell that he must endure the wrath of God to all Eternity O this makes the Soul humble and pliable before God the man now is like melted wax God may work him how he pleaseth command what he will he is ready to obey 9. Acts 6. 3. A strengthning influence after the word hath weakened the power of sin in a man then it strengthens the Soul with grace as Physicians when they have throughly purged their Sick man and so made him weak then they give him strengthning meats so the word conveys Faith and Hope and other strengthning graces into the Soul so 't is said of Paul after his Humiliation 9. Acts 22. and so he prays for the Ephesians in the 3. Eph. 16. Now this strength the word conveys to the Soul from the spirit of Christ to inable him against sin and all other oppositions whatever to an holy life 1. Colos 10 11. 4. A comforting influence this is the highest of all when a Soul is comforted under the Ordinances and is filled with joy and delight and abundance of satisfaction 2. Cant. 3 4. now is the Soul as it were in Christ's Banqueting House or House of Wine i. e. the Soul rejoyceth and is glad of the presence of Christ like John Baptist in Elizabeths Womb leaps and skips for joy Thus it is with many a Soul under the power and influences of the Ordinances as those converts 2. Acts 37. there 's pricking but what follows read the 46. verse and you will see 2. Consider and examine your selves whether you have felt none of these influences under the Ordinances perhaps you have not felt the comforting influence O do not say therefore that there is no influence perhaps you find little or no strength yet say not 't is in vain the means of grace are in vain to my Soul have the word humbled you have it pricked your hearts and made you sick of sin and sensible in what a lost condition you are in by nature bless God for that and wait still on him in the ways of his Ordinances you shall find comfort at last you must not expect to come to the highest pitch presently as our Quakers do assoon as any turns Quaker presently he is full of joy and comfort as his heart can wish suspect such a thing as not the work of God God will have us throughly humbled before comfort comes in Naaman was bid go into Jordan seven times and wash now if Naaman had after the first or second washing come out of Jordan and finding himself not cleansed left the waters and said there was no vertue in them would you not say the fault was his own Our Saviour Christ will teach us the true way to comfort i. e. true comfort indeed 5. Mat. 4. be content to mourn and be humbled a while and wait still on God to perfect his work in you 2. Take heed that this be not true O 't is a sad thing to be under the Ordinances and never the better for them and therefore labour for these influences when you are sensible of the want of them means 1. Go not out in your own strength think not that you of your selves are able to pray or read or hear with profit O you must go out of your selves get Christ along with you 21. John 3 4 5 6. take Christ along with you go forth in his strength and not in your own strength the want of this may be a means of your miscarriage 2. Look out beyond all Duties and Ordinances do not rest satisfyed when you have Prayed or heard a Sermon or received a Sacrament let not that be all your Religion only to do these things but look further the Ordinances are but means
Scriptures and hear Sermons keep up duties in our Families and good orders and frequent the Ordinances surely we are purged from our Iniquities none under the power of sin do as we do Answer 1. In the words of our Saviour what do you more than others do not even the Hypocrites the same they run to Sermons they thrust themselves to Sacraments they read Chapters and pray in their Families they keep a clean outside Hypocrites are as much in these duties as any and the reasons of it are these 1. That they may have somewhat to boast of and therefore this is always an Hypocrites note to boast of his duties I fast twice in the Week c. and I do so or so whereas a true Saint is even ashamed of his best duties and flings them away as rags the Hypocrite he seeks his own glory in duties a true Saint seeks only God's Glory and that 's the reason he performs duties at all 2. That they may by these outward duties cloak and cover their inward lusts and corruptions hide their beloved sins hence our Saviour calls them guilded and painted Sepulchres 30. Prov. 20. so the Hypocrite after he hath slily committed a sin then he wipes his mouth with some Heavenly Speeches or Prayers or the like and O then he passeth for a Saint whereas a sincere heart he performs duties to get rid of sin the Hypocrite he performs duties thereby to keep his sins 3. That they may have somewhat to trust unto and to rest upon All the hope and confidence in the Hypocrite is in what he hath done whereas a true Saints confidence is only in what Christ hath done for him you shall see both these what doth the Hypocrite plead at the day of Judgment see 13. Luke 26. his duties But what is a true Saints confidence then only Christ's merits and righteousness 3. Phil. 8 9. 2. A man may do all these duties and yet live under the power of sin A man may pray against sin and yet delight in sin Are there not many among us too many that say over the Lords Prayer every day yea some many times in a day Hallowed be thy Name thy Kingdom come thy will be done yet continue to be Swearers Drunkards scoffers at Holiness and Sabbaoth-breakers yea and delight in these sins and what more contrary Again some will speak against those very sins that they love best 2 Sam. 15. 3 4. while Absalom was there railing against injustice he was then plotting the greatest peace of wrong and injustice in taking away his Fathers Kingdom from him As our Ranters that will sit drinking of healths so long till they have quite drank away their own health so many do even harden themselves in their sins by their holy duties when they do pray one ways and their hearts are set the other ways O how loath are they that God should hear their Prayers Saint Austin confesseth that before his conversion he prayed for chastity yet was afraid as he writes of himself least God should hear his Prayers too soon for he was not yet willing to part with his lusts so do many perform duties only out of formality and custom not that they have any desire to be rid of their sins 3. Duties performed where the life is not reformed will but harden a man's heart the more in sin Tundens pectus non corrigens vitia illa consolidat Aug. Hence is that of our Saviour 21. Mat. 31. latter part these Persons are the furthest of from Conversion therefore 4. That you may not on the one side be discouraged from Holy Duties nor on the other side be deceived and deluded by them labour after the power of Godliness in your hearts set your selves to be Christians indeed and then these duties will be great helps to you Do not make these duties all your Religion but only means to further you in the ways of Holiness labour for a pure heart then will God accept of your duties say of all these duties as Haman of all his honours 5. Esther 11 12 13. I am one that injoy great priviledges am Baptized into the name of Christ partake of the Ordinances of Christ sit under the means of grace perform all Holy Duties but what will all this avail me as long as I see this Mordecai my own Iniquity sitting in my heart and ruling there O Beloved this is the duty of duties the main duty of all to purge out sin labour for a sincere heart else all your duties will be to no purpose 66. Psalm 18. and then 5. And lastly a word to those that perform no duties at all that have no Praying or Reading the Scriptures in their Families no frequenting the Ordinances and flighting the means of grace if there be many that do these things that shall go to Hell O what will become of you that come far short of them that come short of Heaven 1 Pet. 4. 18. if they that have the form of Godliness must to Hell where shall your place think ye be in Hell that are the very pictures of Atheism and Profaneness O think of this and labour to be better and to do better O you that call your selves Christians do not live like so many swine in their sties only to eat and drink and sleep but live to God and honour God and serve God in your houses and then the blessing of God shall be upon your Families 5. Plea. O but say some we have reformed our selves and have left many of our sins and of our evil courses and we are now more out with sin than ever we were in our lives Answer 1. You say you are reformed but how why you have left many sins Is it so that 's a good beginning but you must not stay and rest there your work is not done This is just as if a man whose arm is gangrened cuts off all his fingers that will not save his life for the gangrene is higher up in his arm so for a man to leave only some sins and to suffer the domineering heart rotting sin still to abide this will not keep that man out of Hell. Herod did many things yet a Reprobate Agrippae was almost persuaded to be a Christian yet a cast-away you may do the like and be in their condition and therefore I will lay down a few particulars to be considered by you 1. There is no sinner in the World but abstains from some sins yea hates some sins go to the Covetous man and ask him to go to the Tavern and there to revel it and spend his money O he will tell you he cannot endure this drinking and tipling 't is an offence to God to spend and waste our Estates so vainly go to the Drunkard and tell him of Covetousness O he cannot endure this hoarding up of money he loves to spend it freely 2. Rom. 22. latter part Judas a covetous Wretch he pleads for Charity to the Poor 12. John
will assuredly bring destruction there are two terrible Texts to this purpose 9. Job 4. 29. Prov. 1. hear this you that have been told of your sins and yet will not leave them have had message after message Sermon after Sermon reproof after reproof and yet all is nothing you keep your own Iniquities still O tremble to think that your hearts are hardened to your own destruction 5. 'T is a sin that makes us slight and contemn all the Judgments of God as long as we keep this sin in us all afflictions will do us no good at all 27. Prov. 22. mark it his foolishness i. e. his sin we have two notable examples of this Jeroboam you know what was his sin the Scripture calls it so the sin of Jeroboam God sends a Prophet to cry against him for it what doth he see 1 Kings 13. 4 6. mark it he prays that his hand may be restored not his sin mortifyed 't is a sign his heart was not humbled by this Judgment as appear likewise verse 33. the other is King Ahaz 2. Chron. 28. 22. O Brethren take notice of this when afflictions will work no good upon you O this is the aggravation of your own Iniquity for any other sin O how will God's Judgments humble us and make us leave them but this our own Iniquity 't is not all the storms and tempests whatever will make us cast them over-board O sinners look on your selves you that have had great sicknesses and great afflictions and yet you retain your own Iniquities still the Swearer his Swearing the Drunkard his Drunkenness c. O 't is a fearfull sign that God hath rejected you as 't is said of Israel 6. Jer. 29 30. 6. 'T is a sin of custom that 's another great aggravation of it O Brethren once committing a sin is enough to sink any of us to Hell as once swearing once lying once cozening c. but to make a custom of it how can we expect mercy Is a Thief Arraigned for Fellony and 't is proved that he hath been a Thief so many years he hath made it his trade and custom the Judge will condemn that man presently without any favour never put such an Old Rogue to his Psalm of mercy O then what is it to make a trade and custom of sin other sins we may say men commit only by the bye but this their own Iniquity 't is their very trade and custom there is a dreadfull place tremble at it you that have lived in any known sin many years 13. Jer. 23 24. 7. 'T is a sin that we take the greatest delight in that 's another aggravation of it to commit sin is ill enough but to take pleasure and delight in sin O that is most horrid Is it not grief enough to a Father that his Son will do what he would not have him but to delight to vex his Father O this is the height of undutifulness sin in Scripture is called a grieving of God a vexing his Holy Spirit now they that delight in any sin delight to vex God the Apostle reckons these Persons among those that are rejected or given over by God to themselves the saddest Judgment of all 1. Rom. 28 32. and Christ threatens them 1. Prov. 22 31. so 2. Prov. 14 18. 8. 'T is a ruling sin that 's another great aggravation of it O Brethren do you not tremble at this to have a Beelzebub in your hearts the Prince of Devils the King of sins such a man hath the curse of Cham lighted upon him to be a servant of servants his other sins are servants all of them to this Iniquity this great Beelzebub and he himself is slave to them all O what a case is that man in that is servant to his sin his lust whatever work his sin sets him about he must do it there is no King in the World hath such a power over his Subjects as sin hath if it gets once to rule sin will make a man hang himself or drown himself or cut his own throat experience is witness and therefore the Apostle exhorts us especially against this sin upon this account 6. Rom. 12 13. whatever you do do not keep a reigning sin in you 9. 'T is a sin that must be maintained at an high rate a man 's own Iniquity will bring him as we say to skin and bones how many have wasted all their Estates to satisfie their lusts and afterwards have been fain to go a begging so the Prodigal Nay 't is not Estate and Body will serve the turn this sin will ruin the Soul too O tremble sinners to think of this God hath given you fair Estates in the World God hath given you healthy Bodies God hath given you reason to rule all the Creatures in the World above all God hath given you Immortal Souls and will you spend all these upon such a baggage as sin is Do but think of the story of Absalom he was the Son that David loved and cockered most of all his Children bred him up at an high rate and this Son he seeks his Fathers Life and Kingdom so will this sin deal with you 10. The great aggravation of all is this that this sin comes nearest of all sins to that great transgression the sin against the Holy Ghost as we say of some things they are so cold as that if they were but a degree or two colder they were rank poyson so this sin had it but two drams more 't were the very sin against the Holy Ghost and that is malice and final impenitency O therefore sinner take heed thou art upon the very brink of Hell upon the very borders and edge of that unpardonable sin O cast out this sin least God cast thee out of his presence Now Brethren consider these ten particulars the aggravations of this sin and methinks none of us all should ever love it more a sin so dishonourable to God so inconsistent with our profession so scandalous in respect of the Gospel so opposite to true conversion sound and sincere holiness a sin that wins our affections from Christ hardens our hearts against the means of grace fills us with darkness robs us of all graces and renders us liable to the Wrath of God and Eternal Damnation A Sixth Motive is this 6. Consider the several dreadful effects of this sin This sin is the true Pandora's box that lets fly all miseries and mischiefs upon us This sin makes our Souls a mere Bethesda full of impotencies sicknesses troubles and sorrows I can compare it to nothing better than to that poyson which some call the Jesuits poyson which as some say if a man drink it he shall perceive nothing but it will work insensibly in his body and kill him many years after so O sinner it may be for the present thou seest no evil at all in this thy sin thou findest no damage at all by it but many years hence thou may'st find and