CHAP. II.

HItherto in Generall. The first thing then to be done by that Christian that would settle himselfe in a sound course, to lay as it were, the foundation of his saluation, is to prac­tise those rules that may deliuer him from the hor­rible [Page 23] danger and distresse he is in, in respect of all the power of al the sins he hath hitherto committed.

If hee consider of theMotiues. dreadfull curses which he is liable vnto in respect of all his sinnes, hee ought not to think it much to vn­dergoe the hardest taske can be inioyned, to make himselfe capable of the grace of God, and pardon for so many offences. And therefore with so much the more willingnesse, and vn­changeablenes of religion shuld he with much desire set vpon these rules now to bee giuen, seeing they are [Page 24] but few in number, and such as hee may performe by the grace of God, with much ease and comfort, and the more may hee en­courage his own heart, be­cause when he hath done, he may cleerly see he hath done distinctly that which God required of him, and that, with which he is satis­fied through Christ. But before he set vpon the pra­ctice of these rules, he must in iudgement be through­ly resolued of three things.3. Things he must be resolued of in his iudgment.

1. That Iesus Christ hath made a ful & suffi­cient satisfaction for the sins of all men: As hee [Page 25] became a sacrifice for him, he payed a price in his bloud, sufficient to redeeme vs, Ephes. 1. 6. Hee is the Lambe of God, that taketh away the sins of the world, Ioh. 1. 1. Pet. 18. 19. Ephes. 1. 10.

2. That God is well pleased with this satisfa­ctiō made by Christ for our sinnes, which he de­clared by that voyce from heauen, Mat. 3. & 17, &c. Yea, hee hath set Christ foorth in the view of all men, as the propitiation for their sins, Rom. 3. 25. and hath sent vs the Word of reconcilia­tion, [Page 26] and beseecheth vs by the Word to be reconci­led, 2. Cor. 5. 19.

3. That thou maist at­taine vnto this redemp­tion by Christ, if thou wilt practise those things which are requi­red of thee: and this thou maist bee assured of, both because Christ is said to take away the sinnes of the world, and because God offers this reconciliation in the Gospel, to euery creature, and exempts none; and because the Apostle saith, ‘If any man sinne, he may haue an Aduocate [Page 27] with the Father, euen Ie­sus Christ the rightèous; and besides, thou feelest the Spirit of God knock­ing at the doore of thy heart, and would come in, Iohn 1. Marke 16. 1. Iohn 2.’

When thou hast thus prepared thy selfe by theseIf we do 4. things, we are rid of the dāger of all sins past. three resolutions, then if thou do these 4. things fol­lowing, thou maist be sure to be cleerly rid of al dāger that can any way befall thee for thy sinnes past, though they were neuer so many, or great.

1. The first rule con­cernes1 Make a Catalogue of thy sins the examination of [Page 28] thy selfe, & it is this: Thou▪ must make thee a Cata­logue of all the sinnes thou canst discerne by thy selfe, and bee sure thou doe this seriously, and effectually; and for this purpose retire thy selfe into some secret place, and set thy selfe in Gods presence; and then call to minde all the sinnes thou canst remember by thy selfe particularly, write them downe as they come to thy mind; aske thy selfe this question: What haue I done all the dayes of my life, which if I were now to dye, would fear mee, if they were not forgiuen? Take the an­swer [Page 29] to this question, as thy sinnes come to thy minde, till thou canst remember no more, so as thou couldst in the sincerity of thy hart say, that thou dealest plain­ly before the Lord, & doest not hide any fault, and out of the liking thou hast to a­ny sinne, dost not forbeare to set it downe.

Trouble not thy head with the thought of any o­ther thing, till this bee done: and thou needest not care for order or phrase in setting it downe, but doe it in such words as thou hast to vtter it in, and be sure to spare none of thy [Page 30] speciall knowne sinnes, but let the Lord see, that thou art as willing to indite thy selfe for them in his presence, as thou art willing hee should forgiue them. When thou hast in this manner taken a particular notice of thy sinnes, then look vpon the Catalogue following, and examine thy selfe distinctly by it. For this Catalogue will bee like a Looking­glasse from all parts of Gods Law, to shew thee thy offences, and so thou maist obserue, what faults thou couldst not finde, or remember by thy priuate examination, and withall [Page 31] see in what phrase or order to digest thy sins. Let not thy thoughts trouble thee, but cheerefully endure this triall of thy selfe, and take heed thou do it not curso­rily, but take time enough, and so thou maist, if thou wilt onely take one of the Chapters, or two of them, as they lye in the Catalogue, and no more in a day, till thou come to the ende of the Catalogue, neyther nee­dest thou to trouble thy selfe about such sinnes, as thou doest not cleerely see that thou art guilty of, but take only such, as thou art most sure thou hast offen­ded [Page 32] in: It is enough in the practice of Repentance, to take particular notice of known and apparant euils. A generall acknowledge­ment will serue for the rest: If thou thinke thy sins beeHow our sinnes are innume­rable. innumerable, and so can­not be gathered into a Ca­talogue, vnderstand, that the acts of sinne are innume­rable, but not the kindes of sinne. There is no sinne, but it is condemned in the Scripture: and if there were as many sinnes, as there be lines in the Scripture, yet they might bee numbred; and therefore that speech of Dauid, that his sins were [Page 33] innumerable, must bee vn­derstood of the acts of sin; for he might in one sin be guilty of innumerable acts: as if it were a sinne in thought, it might be com­mitted oftner, then can be by vs numbred; But in re­pentance, it is enough to humble our selues for the seuerall kindes of sins wee haue been guilty of, which will not be so manie, but they may easily bee num­bred. The seuerall acts of the same sinne serue but as a generall aggrauation of the offence: Onely in thisLooke to 2. things. examination looke to two things. The one, that thou [Page 34] beseech God by praier, to shew thee the sins are most displeasing vnto him. The other is, that thou take heed thou leaue not out a­nie speciall knowne sinnes, because else, those sinnes so spared, may buffet thee a long time after thou hast finished this course; and besides, they may get head and preuaile against thee in practice, if by this course they be not brought vnder.

Now that thou oughtestThe proof thus seriously to examine and call to minde thy sins, and that this is one of the things God requireth of thee to be distinctly done, [Page 35] these places of Scripture doe euidently proue, and withall shew, that GOD doth take euen this begin­ning of thy Repentance well, Lamen. 3. 40. Psal. 4. 4. Ezech. 16. 43. 61. & 20. 43. & 36. 31. Ierem. 8. 6. 1. Cor. 11. Galat. 6. [...]. Iob 11. 13. While thou art doing this thou shalt doe well to doe no other exercise of Reli­gion at that time, but only attend to this.

The second thing that2 Secondly, thou must confesse thy sinnes particu­larly in the best words thou canst God requireth of thee di­stinctly to bee done, is the expression of those sins thus gathered into the Cata­logue, and for the perfor­mance [Page 36] of this duety, set some time apart, and pre­sent thy selfe before the Lord: and if thy memory will not carry all the parti­cularsNote. of thy offences, take with thee the written en­ditement, and as Hezekiah did with his letter, spread thy Catalogue before the Lord, and then take vnto thee words in the best man­ner thou canst, to iudge thy selfe for those offences. Let the Lord know, that it is thy hearts desire to pleade guilty to each of those sins, and in speciall, vrge against thy selfe those sins, wherein thou hast more especially [Page 37] offended. Bee not ouer carefull for words; the Lord requireth thee but to doe it in the best wordes thou canst; onely let thy words be the true voyce of thy heart, and thou mayst bee sure the Lord vnder­standeth the meaning of thy heart. Let no obiection driue thee off from the practice heereof, but doe it so, as thy owne Consci­ence may witnesse with thee, that thou hast done it in the best manner thou canst. Now that this is a duety necessarily required, these Scriptures plainelyThe proofes. shew, Hosh. 14. 3. 4. Prou. [Page 38] 28. 13. Leuit. 16. 21. & 26. 40. 41. Iob 33. 27. 28. Psalm. 32. 5. Ier. 3. 12. 13. Math. 3. 6. Acts 19. 18. Dan. 9. Ne­hem. 9. 2. Rom. 10. 10. 1. Cor. 11. 1. Ioh. 1. 7. 9. This is the second duty.

The third thing thou3 Thirdly, thou must seek godly sorrow, & not giue ouer, till thou feele thy heart melt with­in thee. must labour for distinctly, is, to conceiue true mour­ning and sorrow for these sinnes thus confessed. This is that sacrifice is so well­pleasing to God, and this is euery where in Scripture expressely required, & the promises fastned (diuers of them) vpon this condition, as these places manifestly shew, Math. 5. 5. Iam. 4. 9. [Page 39] Ioel 2. 12. 13. Zach. 12. 12. Isaiah 1. 16. Psalme. 31. 17. Isaiah 61. 1. 2. 3. Ierem. 50. 4. Ierem. 31. 18, 19. Now that thou mayst attain vn­toHow it may be at­tained. softnesse of heart, I ad­uise thee to take this course: Resolue with thy selfe to set some time apart, at least once euery day for this bu­sinesse; and when thou dost stand before the Lord with thy former mournefull in­ditement, and while thou striuest to iudge thy selfe, and to keepe an assise vp­on thy owne soule, beg of God to giue thee that soft heart he promised, Ezech. 36. 26. beg it (I say) of God, [Page 40] but let thy praiers be with­out limitation for the time. If the Lord heare thee not the first time, yet pray for it the next time againe, and so the third day, and so still, till the Lord do hear thee, and make thee feele thy hart to melt, and (if it may be) teares to trickle down thy cheekes before the Lord; yea, put on this re­solution, that thou wilt ne­uer stand before the Lord for any request while this course lasts, but thou wilt remember this petition, to beseech him to giue thee secret sorrow and sensible for thy sins. It may be, the [Page 41] Lord will heare thee at the first, or in the beginning, while thou art preparing thy selfe to speake vnto him, or while thou callest vpon him at the first or second time, but yet if he doe not, persist thou: thy sute is iust; & importunity wil ouercom the Lord: and this very de­sire to sorrow being resolute, is a degree of true godly sorrow. But yet, that thou maist be sure of it, giue not ouer, till the Lord heare the letter of thy desire, if it may be, and withal striue against the perplexities of an vnquiet hart; fear not, but at time of the day which thou setst apart [Page 42] for religious duties, bee as earnest as thou canst, and when that is done, goe cheerfully about the works of thy calling. Hang not downe thy head like a bul­rush, as if thou must doe nothing else but sigh and bemoane thy selfe, & shew a troubled minde in all things: Euen the freer and readier thy minde is, the more fit thy heart will bee for this or other holy im­ployments.

And further know, that the vse of this Catalogue is not for euer, nor doe I require this speciall mour­ning all the daies of thy [Page 43] life, but in this case of first repentance, by which the body of sinne may bee re­moued. Therefore thou oughtest so long to vse the Catalogue of thy confessi­ons of sinnes, till thou feele in some measure this sor­row and melting of heart, which when thou hast at­tained, either sooner or la­ter, then addresse thy selfe to the fourth rule.

The fourth rule concerns4. Fourthly, thou must then lay hold vpon the Pro­mises di­stinctly. the application of the Promi­ses, especially the promises of two sorts. First, such as shew that God hath giuen Iesus Christ to make satisfa­ction for the sinnes of men: [Page 44] and then in speciall, such2. Sorts of promises. promises as shew, that through the merits of Christ, hee that hath thus confessed and felt sorrow for his sinne, shall be recei­ued to fauour. Now forHow this may be done. this purpose, thou must get thee a distinct Catalogue of promises made to such as confesse their sins with sorrow and mourning, and in them thou shalt see most plainely vnto how much riches and treasure this en­trance vnto godlines hath brought thee. For the con­dition of the Promises be­ing already formed in thee by this grace of God, thou [Page 45] maist safely assure thy soule of so much fauour from God in particular, as is ex­pressely contained in those Promises. Marke it thou; as yet dar'st not claime all the prerogatiues or good things contained in any Promises in Scripture, yetNote. thou maist safely lay vp as treasure, so much as the Promises that concerne confession and godly sor­row doe assure and estate vpon thee; and so thou shalt finde that thou hast right in Christ already for great and rich fauours, and maist shew Gods expresse Word to warrant thy [Page 46] claime, as for example,A taste of the parti­cular hap­pinesse of such as haue gone thus farre. God hath assured thee;

1. That thou shalt not be damned, thou maist rest vpon it, these bee plaine Scriptures, 1. Cor. 11. 31. 32. Iob 33. 27. 28.

2. That GOD vvill haue mercy vpon thee, and loue thee freely, and take away his anger from thee, Prou. 28. 13. Ioel 2. 12. 13. Hos. 14. 3. 4. Ierem. 31. 18. 19. 20.

3. That all thy sinnes are forgiuen thee, 1. Iohn 1. 7. 9. Zach. 12. 10. and so forward to the 2. verse of the 13. chapter.

[Page 47]4. That GOD is at peace, and reconciled, and that thou hast a free right vnto his Word, & shalt find his presence in his Word, Isaiah 57. 15 16. 17. 18.

5. That GOD will now henceforth heale thy nature of thy sinful­nes, Hosh. 14. 3. 4.

I do but instance in these few particulars; but I could wish thee to make thee a full Catalogue, and write out the words verbatim, & learne them without book, or at least study thē sound­ly to vnderstand them, and for thy case I haue set [Page 48] downe the chiefe places of Scripture as they lye in or­der.

• Leuit. 26. 41. 42. 44.
• 2. Kings 22. 19. 20.
• Iob 33. 27. 28.
• Psal. 32. 5. & 51. 17.
• Prou. 28. 13.
• Isaiah. 57. 15. 16. 17. 18. & 61. 1. 2. 3.
• Ierem. 31. 18. 19. 20.
• Zach. 12. 10. and so for­ward to the second verse of Chap. 13.
• Hosh. 14. 3. 4. 5. 6.
• Math. 5. 6.
• 1. Cor. 11. 31. 32.
• Iam. 4. 9.

Now when thou hast [Page 49] written out these Promises and dost vnderstand theHow these pro­mises are to be vsed. meaning of them, then car­rie them into Gods pre­sence, as thou diddest the Catalogue of sinnes, and now beseech God for Iesus Christs sake, to incline thy heart to beleeue these pro­mises of Grace; and to this end pray vnto God from time to time, till the Lord be pleased to let thee feele life in the Promises, or a cleere perswasion; & withal beseech God by the Spirit of Promise from Heauen, to seale vp thy interest heerein; and if thou feele the ioyes of the holy Ghost [Page 50] fall vpon thee in any of these Promises, O happy man that euer thou wast born to such a rich estate; I say the same of this sensible life in the promises, that I did before of godly sor­row. It may be, the Lord will heare thee at the first; if not, persist thou to beg this grace till thou obtai­nest it. Thou seest, forgiue­nesse of all thy sins which thou hast confessed, is pro­mised thee, vrge the Lord with most humble depre­cation to heare thee for the pardon and forgiuenesse of them, for the mediation sake of Iesus Christ and his [Page 51] merits, that sits at his right hand, to make request for poor sinners that seek mer­cy. Now when thou hast felt the Promises to be any of them spirit & life to thee, then hast thou done this most glorious exercise, and thou hast cause to praise GOD all the daies of thy life, & what thou shouldest afterward doe, the Treati­ses following will shew thee; but for thy more cleare satisfaction, I will answer a question.

Qu. Thou wilt say, I could take comfort in this course, hauing done these things, but that I doubt [Page 52] whether my confession or sorrow be right, or no. For I finde, that wicked men in Scripture haue confessed their sinnes, and mourned too.

An. Thou maist euident­ly try thy confession and sorrow, by these signes of difference.

1. Wicked men haue confessed their sins, and sorrowed, but both were compelled, whereas thine is voluntarily, and so a free-will offering.

2. Caine and Iudas confessed sinne, but it was not all sorts of sinnes, but onely the capitall [Page 53] crimes known by them, by which they had sha­med and vndone them­selues.

3. The sorrowes of wicked men were more for the punishment, then for the sinne; No wicked man can bee sorry for sinne, as it is sinne; nor did they sorrow for all sorts of sinnes, but for the sinnes before described.

4. Their confession and sorrowes were not ioyned with an vnfeigned desire to forsake sin; wher­as this is an infallible signe of true repentāce, when a man can as har­tily [Page 54] desire that hee might neuer commit sinne, as heartily (I say) desire it, as he would that God shuld neuer impute it. When a man can say before the Lord, that there is no sinne, but he doth as vn­feignedly desire God to giue him strength to leaue it and forsake it, as he doth desire that God should forgiue him, and not plague him for it: I say this is such a signe, as was neuer found in a wicked man in any age of the world.

5. The confession & sorrowes of the wicked [Page 55] were not ioyned with a­ny perswasion of Gods goodnesse, or any con­stant desire to find mer­cy with GOD in Iesus Christ.

Thus haue I shewed thee the directions, which con­cerne this first and most weighty businesse that can concerne thee.

There are three sorts ofThis dire­ction con­cernes 3. sorts of men. men whom this direction concernes. 1. Such as ne­uer repented. 2. Such as though they haue repen­ted, yet haue not the com­fort and assurance of their repentance, who by fol­lowing these directions, [Page 56] may make all out of doubt. 3. Such as after calling fall into grosse sinnes: These haue neede to recouer themselues by the helpe of these directions. The Ca­talogue following may serue for other vses, besidesOther v­ses of the Cata­logue. this of a mans practise in his repentance at his first conuersion, or after Apo­stacie: For

1. As in a small Map, a man may heere see the sorts of sin, and so may get knowledge quickly, what euils to auoide, which hitherto hee hath not taken notice of.

2. It may serue before [Page 57] the Communion, for such as would make a generall suruey of their sinnes, in discharge of that examination which the Apostle mentioneth 1. Cor. 11. For howsoe­uer this large Cata­logue be not of necessi­ty requisite to that exa­mination, yet vnto such as haue leisure and fit­nesse, it is profitable for their more aboundant satisfaction.The mise­ry of such as will not be aduised to take a sound course a­bout their sinnes.

To conclude, if any man that reades these presents, and is guilty to himselfe, that hee hath hitherto ta­ken no sound course about [Page 58] his sinnes, and yet will not bee perswaded to practise these directions: Let him consider, that so long as his sinnes bee vnrepented on his part, and vnremitted on Gods part, the pollution of all the sinnes hee euer committed, still cleaues vnto him; so as he may iust­ly with the Leper cry, Vn­cleane, vncleane: yea all his sinnes are written, as it were with a penne of iron in Gods Booke of remembrance, & that hee is a meere stranger from all Gods promises; and liues without God, and with­out Christ in the world, and that all hee doth, euen his [Page 59] best workes are abhominable to God, and that seas of wrath hang ouer his head, and vnspeakeable woe will be to him in the appearing of Iesus Christ, if he preuent it not by sound and speedy repentance.

CHAP. III.

ALl the sinnes mentio­ned and condemned in the Bible, may bee cast into 4. rankes. For they are,

[Page 60]1. Eyther sins against the whole Law, that is, such, as may be commit­ted against any of the Commandements.

2. Or sinnes against the first table of the Law.

3. Or sinnes against the second table of the Law.

4. Or sinnes against the Gospell.

1. The first sort of sinnes are sins against the whole Law, and thus he sinneth, That is conceiued in sin,Originall sinne. Psal. 51. 5.

That allowes not the good he doth, Rom. 7. 15.

That doth the euill hee hates, vers. 15.

That hath not goodnesse dwelling in him, ver. 18.

That doth not the good he would, ver. 19.

That hath euill present, when he would do good▪ vers. 21.

That hath a Law in his members, rebelling a­gainst the law of his minde, ver. 23.

That hath not knowledgeIgnorāce. to do good, Ier. 4. 22. Hos. 4▪ 6. Isaiah 1. 3.

This is aggrauated.

1. If thou refuse know­ledge, and wilt not vnder­stand, Iob 21. 14. Ps. 36. 4.

2. If thou walke not in the light, whilest thou hast [Page 62] the light, Iohn 12.

3. If thou hate him that instructeth thee, Amos 3. 10.

4. If thou detaine the truth for the loue thou bea­rest to wickednesse, Rom. 1. 18.

5. That will not vnder­stand,Procrasti­nation. though the founda­tions of the earth be moo­ued, Psal. 82. 5.

That hath present occa­sion to doe good, and yet puts it off, though but till the morrow, Prou. 3. 28.

That seeketh his owneVainglory glory, Prou. 25. 27.

That boasteth of a false gift, Prou. 25. 14.

That praiseth himselfe, [Page 63] Prouerbs. 27. 2.

That is pure in his owne eyes, beeing not washed from his filthinesse, Prou. 30. 12.

That causeth others to goe astray, especially the righteous, Prou. 28. 10.

That calls euill good, or good euill, or puts light for darkenesse, or darknesse for light, or that puts bitter for sweet, or sweet for bit­ter, Isaiah [...] 20.

That changeth the or­dinances, or addeth to Gods Word, or dimini­sheth ought from it, Isai. 24. 5. Deut. 4. 2. Prou. 30. 6.

That protects or defends [Page 64] others in sinne, Ier. 44. 15.

That sits still, and is atSecurity. rest in sinne, Zach. 1. 11. and considers not that God re­members his wickednesse, Hosea. 7. 2. and is without fear of Gods iudgements, Prouerbs 28. 14. 1. Thessal. 5. 6. 7.

That receiueth not cor­rection,Incorrigi­blenesse. but proudly hard­neth his heart, and is wilful in euill, Ierem. 5. 23. Ezech. 7. 10. Hebr. 3. 15. 16.

That feares reproach forCarnall feares. well-dooing, Isaiah 51. 7. or feares the displeasure of God, for breaking mans traditions, Matthew 15. 2. 9. or in things indiffe­rent, [Page 65] makes conscience of sin, where there is no sin, Rom. 14.

That doth his worke toHypo­crisie. be seene of men: Math. 6. and 23.

That hath the forme of godlinesse, but donyeth the power of it, 2. Timoth. 3. 5.

That is a louer of him­selfe,Self-loue. 2. Tim. 3. 3.

That is neyther hot norLuke­warme­nesse. Vncheer­fulnesse. cold, Reu. 3. 15.

That doth not good with a ioyfull heart, Deut. 28. 47.

That esteems the way of the multitude, Exod. 22. 2.

That is not circumspect,Inconsi­deration. [Page 66] but foolish and rash, and rusheth vpon things with­out knowledge or counsell, or consideration of oppor­tunities, circumstances, meanes, or end, Ephes. 5. 15. Prou. 15. 22. Ierem. 8. 6.

That is childish or vn­constant,Incon­stancy. Ephes. 4. 14.

That is carried about with euery winde of do­ctrine.

That hath a diuided heart, Hos. 10. 2.

That is mutable in his affection to godlinesse, Galat. 4.

That falleth away from the truth, or goeth backe, Ier. 15. 6. Hosh. 6. 4. Isa. 1. 4.

Hitherto of the sinnes a­gainst the whole Law.

CHAP. IIII.

THe sinnes against God forbidden in the first table of the Law, are of 4. sorts.

1. Some against his na­ture.

2. Some against the meanes of his worship.

3. Some against the [Page 68] manner of his worship.

4. Some against the time of his worship.

For the first, the sinnes a­gainst the nature of God, are of two sorts.

1. Some more vnusuall and personall.

2. Some more vsual and naturall.

The more vnusuall sins are such, as are not found amongst Christians, ex­cept it bee in such persons onely, as are most mon­strously visible, such as are,

1. Blasphemy; to reproch God.

2. Idolatry; to worship the creature.

[Page 69]3. Witchcraft, or the ser­uice of the Diuell.

4. Atheisme, to defend there is no God, or to de­sire constantly there were no God.

5. That matchlesse Pride, for a man to say, hee is God, or to exalt himself aboue all, that is called God.

6. Heresie, to hold, after conuiction, errors against the foundation of Religi­on.

7. The inward hatred and loathing of GOD: It shall suffice to haue thus touched these sinnes.

The more vsuall sins, and [Page 70] such as are found in the most men by nature, are such as these.

That naturall Atheisme Naturall Atheisme. of which he is guilty.

1. That customarily spends his time without God in the world, Ephes. 2. 12.

2. That conceiues A­theisticall thoughts, and of such thoughts hee is guilty.

That hath inward rea­sonings, whether there be a God, to which his heart inclineth, Psal. 14. 1.

That sayeth, or think­eth, God wil neither doe good, nor euill, or that [Page 71] hee neither seeth, or re­gardeth, Isai. 29. 15. 16. Zeph. 1. 12. Ezech. 9. 9. Iob 22. 13.

That saith or thinketh, there is no profit in ser­uing the Almighty, Iob 21. 14. & 22. 17.

That in affliction saith or thinketh, it is impos­sible to be deliuered, 2. King. 7. 2.

That hath inward boy­lings about such things as God sheweth not the reason of, Iob 33. 13.

That conceiues rebel­lious thoughts about the decrees or prouidence of God, Rom. 9.

Thus of naturall Atheisme.

2. The second sinne is Epicurisme, which is shew­ed,Epicurism

By fulnesse of bread and idlenesse, Ezech. 16. 49. Phil. 3. 18.

By liuing in pleasure▪ Ecclus. 11. 9. Iames 5, 5.

By vanity and strange­nesse of apparell, Isaiah 3. Zeph. 1.

3. The third sin, is theDefects. defect of those graces, by which wee should cleaue vnto God, and that also when wee want that life of them should be in vs; such are the defects of the warmth of the knowledge, [Page 71] loue, and feare of God, & of our ioying and trusting in God, Psal. 36. 1. Zep. 3. 2 Prou. 30. 1. 2. Rom. 7. These defects are the worse, by reason of our impotency, and extreme indispositi­on to seeke to mend those things. And therefore it is an aggrauation of any of these defects, that men do not stirre vp themselues to take hold of GOD, Isaiah 64. 7:

4. The misplacing ofMispla­cing of our affec­tions. our affections in setting them vpon earthly things, employing our cōfidence, feare, ioy, or loue vpon the world, & the things there­of, [Page 72] whereby our hearts are any way alienated from God, Ieremy 17, 5. Isai. 51. 7. 1. Ioh. 2. 15. Math. 6.

5. Pride: And there is a foure-fold pride,4. Sorts of pride.

1. Arrogancie, shewed

By high lookes, or in­dignation of spirit, Isai. 10. 12. & 16. 6.

By fearelesnesse of a fall in prosperity, and that boasting hopeful­nesse in a broken estate, Psalm. 30. 6. Isaiah 9. 10. Obad. 3.

2. The pride of life, which hath in it the secret lifting vp of the heart, and glorying in friends, mony, [Page 73] meanes, houses, riches, beauty, or the like, 1. Iohn 2. 17. 2. Kings 20. 3. with 2. Chron. 32. 25.

3. The pride of gifts, exprest,

By great thoughts of our selues, beeing wise in our selues, Rom. 12. 16.

By fretting with enuy at the gifts and respects of o­thers, Numb. 12. 2, 8, 9.

By being ouer-confident of our owne innocency, Iob 34. 5, 6.

By desire to pry into the secret things of God, be­ing not cōtent with things reuealed, Deut. 29. vlt. Rom. 12. 3.

[Page 74]4. Pride in sinning, and so he is guilty,

That dares cōmit great euils against his knowledge.

That seems wise in main­taining sinne, Prou. 3. 7. Psa. 52. 7.

That hardens his heart against repentance, 1. Sam. 15. 22, 23. Numb. 15. 30, 31. Ierem. 16. 12▪ Iob 34. 37.

That sinnes with affecta­tion, that glories in it, as he that takes a pride in drun­kennesse, Isaiah 28. 1. 3.

That frets, because hee is crost in sinne, Prou. 19, 3.How ma­ny waies men sinne against Gods mercy. and thus of Pride.

6. The sixt sinne is the neglect of Gods mercy: & [Page 75] this is the more grieuous offence, because mercy is the most eminent attribute of God. For the sinnes of this kinde, worlds of men are damned in hel, Ioh. 3. 19

And against Gods mer­cy he offends,

That askes wherein God hath loued him, Mal. 1. 2.

That abuseth Gods bles­sings, Hos. 10. 1. & 11. 3, 4.

That obserues not the mercy of God in his proui­dence, Hos. 2. 8.

That in aduersity saith, God cares not for him, or hath passed ouer his iudge­ments, or hath forsaken him, Isaiah 40. 28. & 49, 14.

That inquireth not after God, Zeph. 1. 6.

That belieues not Gods promises, through neglect or despaire.

That blesseth his heart a­gainst Gods threatnings, Deut. 29. 19.

That forsakes his owne mercy, by trusting to lying vanities, Ionah 2. 8.

That scoffes at the signes of Gods mercy, Isaiah 7. 12, 13.

That sacrificeth to his owne nette, ascribing the praise to himself, Hab. 1. 16.

That seeks not to God in his distresse, 2. Chr. 16. 12.

That sayes, God cannot [Page 77] deliuer, 2. Kin. 6. 33. & 7. 2.

That answeres not when God calls, Isaiah 50. 2.

That limits God, Psal. 78.

That hath a spirit of bit­ternes through discontent, Hos. 12. 14.

That dishonors God by his euill life, Rom. 2. 24.

Thus of the sins against Gods mercy.

7. The seuenth sinne is resorting to witches, Isaiah 8. 19, 20. Leuit. 20. 6. Deut. 18. 4.

8. Eighthly, he offends, that disregards GODS workes, Isaiah 5. 12.

9. That lyes against God, hauing professed to [Page 78] haue God to bee his God, Isai. 19. 13. and so he doth,

That opposeth the truth, and obiects against it.

That performes not what he promised in his sicknes, or aduersity, or at the Sa­raments.

That falls away from the Truth.

10. That feares notOffences against the feare of God. God, or not in a right man­ner, and so he sinneth,

That feares God only for reward, Iob 1. 9▪

That feareth God onely, because of punishment, Hosh. 3. 5.

That is not afraide of Gods presence, or threat­nings, [Page 79] Psal. 36. 1, 2. Isai. 66. 1. Ierem. 6. 10.

That comforts not men in misery, Iob 6. 14.

That meddles with chan­gers, or the seditious, Prou. 24. 21.

That in matter of sinne is wise in his owne eyes, and will not depart from ini­quity, Prou. 3. 7.

That sinnes, because God doth forbeare to punish, Eccles. 8. 13. Psal. 50. 19.

That feares the signes of heauen, Ierem. 10. 2.

That finds any hardnesse of heart against Gods fear, Isaiah 63. 17.

Thus of the sinnes a­gainst [Page 80] the feare of God.

11. That trusts not inOffences against the trust in God. God, and so he offends,

That asketh not counsell of God, Isaiah 31. 1. & 30. 1, 2. but vseth carnal helps.

That saith, There is no hope, Ierem. 2. 23.

That trusts in man, and makes flesh his arme, Ier. 17. 5.

That puts his confidence in his wealth, Prou. 10. 15. Iob 31. 24.

That leanes to his owne vnderstanding, Prou. 3. 5.

That drawes not neer vn­to God in aduersity▪ Zeph. 3. 2.

That impatiently desireth [Page 81] death, Iob 7. 15.

Thus of the sins against trust in God.

12. That neglects com­munion with the godly: hee hath not God for his God, that is not ioyned to Gods people: and this is aggrauated against him,

That in contempt of godlinesse, goeth in the company of the wicked, Iob 34. 8, 9.

That reproacheth Gods people, Psal. 74. 1018. Isai. 57. 3, 4.

That accounts the godly as signes and wonders, Isai 8. 18.

That reioyceth in their [Page 82] disgraces, Ezech. 25. 6.

That forsakes their fel­lowship, eyther through carelesnesse and Apostacy, Hebr. 10. 25. or through schisme, Isai. 65. 2, 5.

That for malice perse­cutes them, or casts them out of the Church, Isaiah 66. 5.

And thus of the sinnes against the nature of God.

CHAP. V.

THe sinnes against the meanes of Gods wor­ship follow, and these are of three sorts.

1. Not worshipping.

2. Will-worshipping.

3. Idoll-worshipping.

For the first, hee offends in generall,

That worships not God, Zach. 14. 17.

That cals not vpon the name of the Lord, Psal. 14. 4. Isai. 64. 7.

That comes not to the Church, 2. Chron. 29. 6, 7.

That prayes not in his fa­mily, Ier. 10. 25.

That receiueth not the Preachers of the Gospell, Math. 10. 14.

The aggrauations are, when a man is so far from worshipping aright,

That he offers the blind and the lame for the main­tenance of Gods seruice, Mal. 1▪ 8, 14.

That he deuoures things sanctified, that should bee imployed for the furthe­rance of Gods seruice, Pro. 20. 25.

That forbids Gods faith­full [Page 85] Ministers to preach in the name of Christ, Acts 4. 1. Thes. 2. 16.

That disswades men from Gods worship, vpon pre­tence, that it is eyther pol­luted, Malac. 1. 7, 12, 13. or vaine, Mal. 3. 15.

That is wayward, or ne­uer pleased with all, or any part of Gods worship, or the meanes thereof, Math. 11. 1.

Thus of sinnes of irreli­giousnesse, or not▪ worship­ping,

VVill-worship followes, and so he offends,

1. That deuiseth any thing of himselfe, to the in­tent [Page 86] to serue God by it, Num. 15. 38, 39.

2. That serues God for custome, or after the olde manner, making the exam­ple of Fathers, or forefa­thers the rule of his ser­uice, 2. Kin. 17. 34. Ierem. 9. 13, 14. Amos 2. 4. 1. Pet. 1. 18.

3. That feares God af­ter the precepts of men, Esay 29. 13.

4. That being not a mi­nister, doth the worke of a Minister, vpon pretence of necessity or deuotion, 2. Chron. 26. 16.

5. That vrgeth the lesser things of the Law, and neglects the greater, Math. 23. 23.

The aggrauations are,

To vrge mens traditions with opinion of necessity, and with neglect of Gods Law, Math. 15. 2, 3, 9.

To desire to bee taught vaine things, Isaiah 30. 9, 10, 11.

To borrow rites and ob­seruations from the profes­sed enemies of God, to adde them as parts of Gods worship, 2. Kings 17. 34. Deut. 12. 4. 13. Ezech. 11. 12.

Idoll-worship followes, and so men offend eyther 1. inwardly, or 2. outwardly.

Inwardly he offends, that conceiues of God in the [Page 88] likenesse of any thing crea­ted, and manifests his of­fence, if he direct his wor­ship to that likenesse, com­manded, 2. Acts 17. 19. 1. Iohn 2. 23.

Outwardly hee offends,

That makes an image to resemble God by it, Deut. 4. 12, 15. Esay 40. 18.

That vseth any gesture of loue and reuerence vnto such images, by whomsoe­uer made, Hos. 13. 2.

That mentiōs the names of Idols, eyther by way of swearing, or Apology, Ex­odus 23. 13.

That is present at the idolatrous feasts, & there­fore [Page 89] he much more offends that is present at the ser­uice of the Idoll; 1. Cor. 10 21, 22. Exod. 34. 15. Psalme 116. 8.

That worshippeth the I­mage, or GOD in the I­mage, Commandement 2. Exod. 32. Hosh. 2. 16.

Thus of the sins against the meanes of Gods wor­ship.

CHAP. VI.

THe sinnes against the manner of Gods wor­ship follow.

And because it were te­dious to reckon vp the se­uerall sinnes against each part of Gods worship, be­cause in diuers things the same offēces may be com­mitted against any one of the parts of Gods seruice: Therefore I will briefely touch the generall vvaies [Page 91] of offending in the manner of any worship of God, & then more specially reckon the sins against those parts of Gods worship, that are most vsuall, and ordinary:

It is an offence in anySins in a­ny part of Gods wor­ship. seruice due to God, to serue him

Hypocritically; in shew and not in deed, Isa. 29. 13.

Without Repentance: to bring the loue of any sinne to any part of his ser­uice, Esay 1.

Without delight & wil­lingnesse, Iosh. 24. 15.

Without constancy to serue him, but by fits, Hos. 6

Without consideration, [Page 92] or reuerence, Eccl. 5.

Thus in generall.

In particular,

1. He offends in hearingSinnes in hearing. the Word.

That is vnteachable, Esay 28. 9, 10, 11.

That hath Idols in his heart through Lust, or Ma­lice, or Couetousnesse, E­zech. 14. 7. Iam. 1. 18.

That heares without at­tention, and comes for cu­stomes sake, Eccl. 5. 1. [...]c. 33. 31, 32.

That is not a doer of the Word, Math. 7. 26.

2. He offends in Prayer,Sinnes in prayer.

That prayes not at all times, or with perseuerance [Page 93] in prayer, Iob 27. 10. Luke 18. 1.

That prayes without vn­derstanding, or power of the Spirit, 1. Cor. 14. 15.

That delights not in the Almighty, Iob 32. 26.

That regards wickednes in his heart, Psalm. 66. 18. Prou. 21. 27. Isaiah 1. 15, 16.

That doubts and wauers, or is discontented vpon false surmises, that God heareth him not, Iam. 1. 5, 6 Mal. 2. 13.

3. Hee offends in theSinnes a­bout the Sacramēt of the Lords Supper. Sacrament of the Lords Supper,

That discernes not the Lords Body, 1. Cor. 11.

That examines not him­selfe before he eates of that bread, and drinkes of that cup, refusing to iudge him­selfe for knowne offences, 1. Cor. 11.

That beleeues not the operation of God, Col. 3. 12.

That reconciles not him­selfe to such as hee hath of­fended by trespassing a­gainst them, Mat. 5.

That despiseth the Church and people of God, 1. Cor. 11.

4. He offends in swea­ring,

That sweares by thatAbout swearing. which is no God, Ierem. 5.

That sweares in com­mon [Page 95] talke, and feares not an oath, Ierem. 23. 10. Mat. 5. 34. Eccl. 9. 2.

That sweares falsly, Zach. 5. 2.

That loues false oathes, Zach. 8. 17.

CHAP. VII.

HItherto of the sins a­gainst the meanes & manner of Gods worship; the time of Gods worship followes, which is princi­pally the Sabbath.

Now sinnes against the Sabboth are eyther more secretly, or more openly.

More secretly he offends,

That remembers notMore se­cret offen­ces against the Sab­both. the Sabboth day before it come, to vnload his heart of worldly cares and busi­nesse.

That longs to haue the Sabboth ouer-past, Amos 8. 5.

That spends the day in idlenesse.

That flourisheth not ac­cording to the blessings of GOD, in respect of the meanes on the Sabboth day, Psal. 92. The title, with vers. 13. 14.

That honours not the Sabboth with delight to doe Gods worke on that day, Esay 58. 13.

That is vnwilling to be informed concerning the authority & seruice of the Sabboth. This is to hide his eyes from the Sabboth as the phrase is, Ezech. 22. 26.

More openly he offends,The open breaches.

That omits publike or priuate duties, or comes in too late, or goes out too soone, Ezech. 46. 10. Ps. 92. the title with vers. 2. Leuit. 13. 3.

That doth any manner of worke on that day, [Page 98] Exodus 20. 10, 11. & 31. 15.

And thus he offends,

That sels wares, Nehem. 10. 31. & 13. 15, 20.

That carries burthens, Nehem. 13. 15, 19. Ierem. 17. 20.

That trauels abroad, Ex. 16. 24.

Yea, he offends,

That workes in haruest on that day, Exodus 34. 22. Nehem. 13. 15.

That workes, vpon pre­tenceNote. it is a light worke, Exod. 16. 27, 28. & 35. 2, 3. Numb. 15. 32. Math. 12. 1. &c.

That imployes his Cat­tell or Seruants, though he [Page 99] worke not himselfe, Exod. 23. 12.

That finds his pleasures, that is, that vseth recreati­ons, Isaiah 58. 13.

That speakes his owne words, Isaiah 58. 13.

That hauing power, re­formes not the abuses of o­thers against the Sabbath, Nehem. 13. Ierem. 17.

The aggrauation is, to do any of these things pre­sumptuously.

CHAP. VIII.

HItherto of sinnes a­gainst God.

The sinnes against man are to be considered, 1. ey­ther more specially, 2. or more generally:

More specially wee of­fend against others in res­pect of that relation, wher­in wee stand as superiours, or inferiours to them, and [Page 101] so men offend,

1. In the Family.

2. In the Common­wealth.The sins.

3. In the Church.

In the Family,

1. The wife offends,Of wiues.

That is not subiect to her husband, or not in eue­ry thing, Ephesians 5. 22, 24. Hosh. 1. 12.

That is wastefull, Prou. 14. 1.

That is froward, Prou. 21. 9. 19.

That is idle, Prou. 31.

2. The husband offends,Of hus­bands.

That loues not his wife, Ephes. 5. 25.

That dwells not with her [Page 102] as a man of knowledge, 1. Pet. 3. 7.

3. The child offends,Of childrē

That disobeyes his pa­rents, Rom. 1. 30. Tit. 1. 6. Ephes. 6. 1.

That vseth any vnreue­rent behauiour, or any way sets light by them, Com­mandement 5. Eze. 22. 7.

That receiueth not re­buke or correction with submission and reuerence, Prou. 13. 1. Hebr. 12. 9.

That releeues not his Pa­rents in their wants, Math. 15. 5.

The aggrauations are,

To despise their instruc­tions, Prou. 15. 5.

To discouer their infir­mities, Gen. 9. 22.

To despise their persons, eyther for deformity, or infirmity, Prouerbs 23. 22.

To shame them, or grieue them, Prou. 28. 7. & 27. 11. & 10. 1.

To mocke them, Prou. 30. 17.

To curse them, Pro. 20. 20. & 31. 11. Exod. 21. 17.

To smite them, Exod. 21. 15.

To waste their estates, or chase them away from him, Prou. 19. 26.

4. The parents offend,Of Parēts.

In generall, that bring [Page 104] not vp their children in nurture, and instruction of the Lord, Ephes. 6. 4.

In particular,

That restraine not sinne in them, 1. Sam. 3. 13.

That correct them not, but leaue them to them­selues, Prou. 22. 15. & 23. 13. & 29. 15.

That prouoke them to wrath by immoderate cor­rection, or rebuke, or in­temperate speeches, Ephes. 6. 4.

That prouide not for them in their callings, or outward estates, or marri­age, 1. Tim. 5. 8.

5. Seruants offend,Of ser­uants.

That are idle and sloth­full.

• That obey disorderly, as
• Without reuerence and feare,
• Without singlenesse of hart, not as vnto Christ,
• With eye-seruice, as men-pleasers,
• Grudgingly, and not from the heart, Ephes. 6. 5, 6, 7, 8.

That are vnfaithfull, and shew it, eyther by purloy­ning, Titus. 2. 10. Or by carelesnesse, when they are such as cannot bee trusted in any busines, Prou. 13. 17.

The aggrauations are,

To answer again, Tit. 2. 9 [Page 106] out of contempt, or sullen­nesse, not to answer, Prou. 29. 19. Iob 19. 16.

To run away, Philemon.

Through pride and folly, to seeke to rule, Pro. 19. 20. & 30. 22.

6. Masters offend,Of Ma­sters.

That entertaine wicked seruants, Psal. 101.

That gouern their family negligently, 1. Tim. 1. 4.

That with-hold what is iust and equall, in diet, wa­ges, incouragement, &c. Colos. 4. 1. Iam. 5. 4.

That vse indiscreete and immoderate threatening, Ephes. 6. 9. Thus of the of­fences in the family.

In the Common-wealth.

1. Subiects offend,Of Sub­iects.

That speake euill of their rulers, Exod. 21. 28. Eccles. 10 vlt.

That are disobedient to them, Rom. 13.

That pay not tribute or custome, Rom. 13.

That rebell, or are sediti­ous, 1. Tim. 3.

2. Magistrates offend,Of Magi­strates.

That oppresse the people by exactions, or other­wise, Prou. 28. 15. Ezech. 45. 9.

That make vniust lawes, or execute not iust lawes, Esay 10. 1. Ier. 5. 1. Mich. 3. 9.

That are vnrighteous in iudgement, eyther by bri­bery, or lenity, or rigour, or couetousnesse, or wresting the Law, Leuit. 19. 15.

In the Church,

1. The people offend,Of hea­rers.

That pay not their tithes, or contributions, Malac. 1. 1. Cor. 9. Gal. 6.

That subiect not them­selues, but disobey them that haue the ouer-sight of them, Heb. 13. 17.

2. The Ministers offend,Of Mini­sters.

That preach not, or not constantly: but more of their sinnes afterwards a­mongst the sins against the soules of men.

CHAP. IX.

THus of the sins against man, considered more specially.

More generally man sins against man,

• Eyther with consent of his will,
• Or without consent.

The sinnes with consent are,

• Eyther against the per­son of man,
• Or the purity of man,
• Or the possessions and state of man.

Or the name and praise of man.

The sins against the per­sons▪ of men are

• Eyther against the whole persons,
• Or against their soules,

Or against their bodies.

The sins against the per­sons of men generally con­sidered, are

Eyther by Omission,

Or by Commission.

1. By Omission he offends,

That pitties not the affli­cted, Iob 6. 14.

That releeues not the af­flicted, 1. Iohn 3. 17. Math. 25. Iob 31. 19.

That is implacable, and [Page 111] will not forgiue, Rom. 1. 29. Iam. 2. 13.

The aggrauations are,

To professe to take no charge of his brother, Gen. 4. 9.

To stop his eares at the cry of the poor, Pro. 21. 23.

To estrange our selues from the very seruants of God in their misery, Psal. 38. 11.

2. By Commission men sinne, 1. eyther outwardly, 2. or inwardly.

Inwardly he offends,

1. That enuies his neigh­bour, Gal. 1. 20. eyther

For his wealth▪ Gen. 26. 14.

For his respect with o­thers, Gen. 37. 11.

For his gifts, Num. 11. 27, 28. 1. Cor. 3. 3.

The aggrauations are,

So to enuy others, as to desire their restraint, Num. 11.

To enuy the very wicked, especially so, as to desire to partake of their delights, Prou. 24. 1.

2. That is angry vnad­uisedly, Math. 5.

The aggrauations.

To bee hasty to anger, Ecclus. 7. 9. Prou. 14. 17, 29.

To continue long in an­ger, Amos 1. 11.

To rage & bee confident [Page 113] without feare or care, Prou. 14. 16.

To bee incensed against the seruants of God, and striue with them, Esay 41. 11

To make friendship with the angry man, Pro. 22. 24, 25.

3. That hates & is ma­licious, which sinne is not auoyded, though the per­son thou hatest

Be poore, Iam. 2. 6.

Be infirme, and haue ma­ny weaknesses, Mat. 18. 10.

Yea, though they sinne, Leuit. 19. 17, 18.

The aggrauations are,

To increase in anger and hatred vpon euery occasi­on, [Page 112] [...] [Page 113] [...] [Page 114] Gen. 37. 8. Eze. 25. 15.

To wish a curse to others Iob 31. 30.

To reioyce at their de­struction, Prou. 24. 17. Iob 31. 29.

To recompence euil, Pro. 24. 29.

Not to bee satisfied with the trouble of those, whom hee pursueth, Iob 19. 22.

That hates righteous men, and shewes it,

By wishing their euill, Psal. 40. 14.

By reioycing at their hurt, Psal. 35. 26.

By gathering sinfull sur­mises into his heart, when hee comes amongst them, [Page 115] and then telling them, when hee comes abroad, Psal. 41. 6.

By iudging vncharitably of their afflictions, Ps. 41. 8.

Especially, that hates them for this reason, be­cause their workes are bet­ter then his, 1. Iohn 3. 12. & 2. 11.

4. That vexeth himselfe with worldly sorrow, and causes distractions, Prou. 17. 22. 2. Cor. 7. 10. and vseth crying, Ephes. 4. 31.

The aggrauations are,

To refuse cōfort, Ps. 17. 7.

To wish his owne death, Num. 14. 2. Iob 3. Ionah.

Thus of the sins internall. [Page 116] The externall sinnes are,

• Eyther in gesture,
• or in words,
• or in workes.

1. In gesture men offend by shaking of the head, sharpning of the eyes, ca­sting downe of the counte­nance, putting out of the finger, gnashing of the teeth, Iob 16. 4, 9. Esay. 58. Psal. 35. 19. & 37. 11. & 12. 5 Gen. 4.

2 In words he offends, that speakes euill of any man, Tit. 3. 2. Mat. 5. whe­ther it be

By censuring, Rom. 14. 10. Iam. 4. 11. Galat. 5. 15.

Or by reuiling or repro­ching, [Page 117] Math. 5.

Or by any kinde of pier­cing bitter words, Pr. 12. 8.

Yea it is an offence, to Render reuiling for reui­ling, 1. Pet. 3. 9.

To whisper euill of o­thers, though neuer so se­cretly, Psal. 41. 7.

To wrest the words of o­thers for euill, Psal. 56. 1.

The aggrauations are,

1. To speake euill of dignitie, Iude 8.

2. To reproach Gods seruants, this is blasphemy, Colos. 3. 8. and it is worse when men teare their names, Psal. 35. 15. and it is increased▪ when men re­uile [Page] Gods Ministers, 1. Cor. 4. 3. 2. Kings 2. 23.

3. To curse the deafe, or put a stumbling blocke be­fore the blinde, Leuit. 19. 14.

4. To deride men in mi­sery, Iob 3. 1.

5. To take a pleasure in brawling and contention, Iames 4. 1. Psalme 52. 4.

6. To haue a mouth full of cursing and bitternesse, Rom. 3. 14. Iames 3. 9. and an habit of frowardnes & peruersnesse of lippes, Pro. 4. 24. and an vnruly tongue that cannot be tamed, Iam. 3. 8.

7. To boast of his mis­chiefe herein, Psal. 52. 1.

[Page 119]8. To complaine of his neighbor in all places, and to be giuen to it, Iam. 5. 9.

Thus hee offends in words▪

3. In works he offends.

1. In generall, that pra­ctiseth any way the hurt of the persons of others, ey­ther by fraud or violence. The aggrauations of hurt­full practices are,

1. To adde affliction to the afflicted, Psal. 96. 26.

2. To deale vnfaithfully with our friend, and to be­tray him, Psal. 41. 9.

3. To practise against the righteous, or any way to trouble them, Psalm. 37. [Page 120] 12. 14. 2. Thessal. 1. 6. and this receiueth increase of aggrauation.

If thou practise against them because they follow goodnesse, Psal. 38. 19.

If thou wrong them, when thou hast receiued good from them: Psalme 38. 20. and the worse, if thou doe it daily, Psalme 56. 1.

If thou marke their steps, waiting for occasion to bring euil vpon them, Psal. 38. 12. & 56. 6.

If thou set on others to hurt them, out of de­light, and with ioy, Ezech. 36. 5.

If through dissimulati­on thou cause one priuily to betray them, Galathians 2. 4.

If thou abuse them when they are dead▪ Psal. 72. 9.

2 In particular.

That is contentious, Rom. 13. 13.

The aggrauations are,

Through contention to be scandalous, Gen. 13. 7. 1. Cor. 6. 1, 4.

To sow discord, Prou. 6. 14.

To fall at strife without consideration, especially to bring others in trouble too, Prou. 17. 14. & 20. 3. & 26. 17. & 19. 19.

To oppresse the father­lesse in suites, Iob 31. 21.

Thus of sinnes against the whole person.

Sinnes against the body follow, and so men offend,

1. By fighting, and so hee offends that any way woundeth or blemisheth another, Exod. 21. 24. Leu. 24. 19. Exo. 2. 13, 14. Whe­ther hee smite in scorne or in fury, 1. King. 22. 24. Espe­cially, that hurts a woman with childe, Exod. 21. 22.

2. By murther, and so he offends that takes away the life of another willing­lie.

The aggrauations of [Page 123] murther are,

To kil Father or Mother, 1. Tim. 1. 9.

To kill ones children, 2. Kings 3. 27. though it were done for sacrifice.

To kill Gods seruants, Heb. 11. 37. Reuel. 16. 6.

To kill himselfe.

Thus of offences against the body.

The sinnes against the soule follow.

Against the soule offend,

1. Ministers, and so he That is ignorant & can­not teach and warne the people of their sins, Isaiah 56. 10. Ezech. 31.

That is prophane in his [Page 124] disposition and life, Ierem. 23. 14, 11.

That runnes before hee be sent, Ier. 23. 21.

That is negligent in his calling, and vseth not his gifts, 1. Tim. 4. 14.

That teacheth false do­ctrine, and prophecieth in Baal, Ierem. 23. 13.

That preacheth peace to wicked men, and streng­theneth them in their euill courses, Ezech. 13. 18, 22. Ierem. 23. 14, 15, 17.

That teacheth vnprofi­tably, doating about vaine questions, and strife of words, vsing railing or old wiues fables, & prophane con­ceits, [Page 125] &c. or the like vnpro­fitable matter, 1. Tim. 1. 3, 4, 7. & 4. 7. &▪ 6. 4.

That in his teaching dis­graceth and reuileth the godly, Ezech. 13. 22. Phil. 3. 2.

2. The people, who may be guilty of murthering ei­ther others or themselues.

Others, and so hee of­fends,

That suffereth his bro­ther to sinne, and doth not reprooue him, Leuit. 9. 17.

That giueth offence, and is a stumbling blocke to the weake, Rom. 14. 13. 1. Cor. 8. 12. Math. 18. 6.

That instructs not o­thers when hee may and ought.

That maketh or parta­keth in any Schisme in the Church, 1. Cor. 10. 11, 12.

Our selues, and so he of­fends,

That neglects Vision, or the meanes of knowledge, and Grace, Hosh. 4. 6.

That is subiect to no set­led Ministry, but hath itch­ing eares, and seeks a heap of Teachers, 2. Tim. 4. 3.

That is wilfull in impeni­tency, Ezech. 18.

That forsakes the fellow­ship of the Saints, Hebr. 10. 25.

That refuseth admoniti­on, 2. Chron. 16. 10. Prou. 29. 1.

That resisteth the Truth, 2. Tim. 3. 8.

Thus of sinnes against the persons of men.

CHAP. X.

THe sinnes against the purity of men follow, and are eyther more grosse and vnusuall, and against the light of nature, or else more vsuall.

The grosse offences are

1. Buggery, Exod. 22. 19

2. Sodomitry, Rom. 1. 27. 1. Tim. 1. 9.

3. Incest, Leuit. 18.

4. Poligamy, Mal. 2. 15

5. The vnnaturall filthi­nesse of women one with [Page 129] another, Rom. 1. 26.

6. Selfe-pollution, or the transgression of Onan, Gen. 38. 9.

7. The sinnes about di­uorce, so hee offends,

That puts away his wife, and not for fornication, Math. 5. 32.

That marrieth her that is vniustly diuorced.

That marrieth himselfe againe, after hee hath vn­iustly put away his wife, Math. 19. 9.

8. Fornication, Eph. 5. 3.

9. Whoredome or a­dultery, 1. Cor. 6. 9. Iude 15.

The aggrauations of whoredome are

[Page 130]1. To force any to it, 2. Sam. 13. 14.

2. That a man and his Father should goe in to a maide, Amos 2. 7.

3. To condemn it in o­thers, & yet commit it him­selfe, Rom. 2. 22.

4. To intise others, Gen. 39. 7. Prou. 2. 14.

10. To marry the daugh­ter of a strange god, Mal. 2. 11. Nehem. 13. 27. 2. Cor. 6. 17.

The more vsuall sinnes sinnes follow:

And so men offend ey­ther internally, or external­lie.

Internally he offends,

That hath impure thoughts, Math. 5. 19. Ephesians. 2. 3. 1. Thessal. 4. 5.

That hath inordinate affections, and burning lusts, Colos. 3. 5.

Externally men offend,

1. In their senses, as by impure lookes, Iob 31. 1. Math. 5. 27. 2. Pet. 2. 14.

2. In their gestures, and so they are guilty of cham­bering and wantonnesse, Rom. 13. 13.

3. In their words, by fil­thy speaking, Col. 3. 8.

4. By vsing the meanes, or occasion of vncleannes.

And in respect of the [Page 132] meanes of vncleannesse he offends,

That makes light of the fornication of others, 1. Corinthians. 5. 2. 2. Peter 2. 7.

That keepeth company with fornicators, 1. Cor. 5. 9. Prou. 29. 3.

That giues himselfe to ease and pleasure, Amos 6. 4, 5, 6. Tit. 1. 12.

That vseth lasciuious dancing, Zeph. 1. 9. Marke 6. 22.

That vseth lasciuious bookes or pictures, 1. Thes­sal. 5. 23. 1. Corinthians 15. 35.

That hauing not the gift [Page 133] of Continency, doth not marry, 1. Cor. 7. 2.

That disposeth not his children in mariage, 1. Cor. 7. 37.

That sorteth with wine­bibbers, and the riotous, Prou. 23. 20.

That is desirous of dain­ties, or any way giuen to gluttony, Prou. 23. 3. Ierem. 5. 7, 8.

That is giuen to prat­ling or idle gadding from house to house, Prou. 7. 11. 1. Tim. 5. 13.

That vseth whoorish at­tire, or perfumes, Prou. 7. 10, 16, 17. Zephaniah 1. 8.

That vseth the attire of another sexe, Deuteronomy 22. 9.

That beguiles another in marriage by error of person, state, or disease, or the like, Genesis 29. 25.

That marrieth without consent of parents, Genes. 26. 34, 35.

That is guilty of drun­kennesse, or vseth exces­siue drinking, 1. Pet. 4. 4.

The aggrauations of drunkennesse, are,

To take a pride in it, Esay 28. 1.

To be mighty to drinke wine, Esay 5. 22.

To continue long at it, Esay 15. 11. Prouerbs 23. 30 33.

To make others drunk, Hab. 2. 15.

Thus of sinnes against Chastity.

CHAP. XI.

THe sinnes against the estates of men follow, and these are eyther inter­nall, or externall.

Internall, and so hee of­fends,

That is discontented with his estate, Heb. 13. 5.

That is worldly, and di­stresseth himself with boot­lesse cares about his estate, Prou. 15. 27. Math. 6. 25, 34 Luke 21. 34.

That delights not in his [Page 137] calling, Prou. 12. 17.

That is couetous, and in loue with the things of this world, Eph. 5. 5. 1. Tim. 6. 10. 1. Iohn. 2. 15.

The externall sins fol­low, and so men offend both by Omission, and Commission.

By Omission he offends,

That implies not the good things he hath, Iam. 5. 2, 3.

That relieues not the poore, and so with-holdeth the good from the owner thereof, Prou. 3. 28.

The aggrauations are,

To forsake the poore, Iob 20. 19.

To hide his eyes from the poore, Prou. 28. 9.

That brings not foorth his corne to sell, Prou. 11. 26.

That detaines wages, Ier. 22. 23. Leuit. 19. 23. Iames 5. 4.

That payes not what he hath borrowed, Psal. 37. 21.

That is idle, and neg­lects his calling, Eccl. 4. 5. and of this sinne he is guil­ty also,

That with-draweth not his foote from his neigh­bours house, Prou. 25. 17. 1. Tim. 5. 13.

That is giuen to much sleepe, Prou. 6. 9, 10.

That is stacke in busines, Prou. 10. 4. & 14. 13.

That neglects the oppor­tunities of his calling, Pro. 10. 5.

The aggrauations are,

To be pertinacious in the defence of it, Prou. 26. 16.

To be a busie-body in o­ther folks matters, 2. Thes. 3. 11.

That is slothfull in the busines of others, Prou. 26.

That prouides not for his family, 1. Tim. 5. 8.

Thus of sinnes of Omis­sion.

By Commission hee of­fends,

That steales, robs or pil­fers, [Page 140] which is the sin men­tioned in the eighth com­mandement.

That steales by conse­quent; as he doth

That is an Vsurer, Exod. 22. 25. Leuit. 25. 36. Deut. 23. 19.

That is guilty of Oppres­sion, Iob 31. 38, 39. Amos 4. 1. Prou. 4. 17. Esay 5. 8. & 30. 12. especially hee that loues oppression, Hos. 12. 7. Micha 2. 9.

That vseth fraud in buy­ing and selling, in mete­yard, waight or measure, Deutero. 25. 13, 14, 15. and hee is guilty of this sinne also,

That selleth refuse, Mi­ [...]ha 6.

That makes aduantage of the pouerty of others, Leuiticus 25. 39. &c. Prou. 22. 22.

That takes the mil-stone to pledge, &c. Deuteronomy 24. 6. 12.

That beeing a buyer, saith, It is naught, con­trary to his owne iudge­ment: and so likewise on the other side, that beeing a seller, doth com­mend it for good, when he knowes it is not so, Pro. 21. 14.

That vseth any other [Page 142] fraud, though it be not in buying or selling, 1. Thes. 4. 6.

And this sinne of stea­ling is to be extended fur­ther also, as

1. To lesser stealths, as robbing of Vineyards, or Orchards, or corne in the field, Deut. 23. 24, 25.

2. To rash suretiship, Prou. 6. 1, 2. & 22. 26.

3. To extreamities vsed in recouering our owne rights, Iob. 24. 3, 4, 9, 10.

To not restoring of euill gotten goods, Ez [...]h. 33. 15

5. To remouing of land­markes, Deut. 19. 14.

6. To liuing in vnlawful [Page 143] callings, such as begging is, 2. Thes. 3. 11.

7. To vnthriftinesse in following vaine persons, or spending prodigally on pleasures, or diet, Prouerbs 12. 11. & 21. 27. & 22. 22. & 23. 26.

8. To the concealing of Theft, Prou. 29. 24.

9. To the Lordly vsage of the borrower, Prouerbs 22. 7.

The aggrauations of the sinne of stealing are,

To take from the poore, Deuteronomy. 24. 14. Iob 20. 19.

To reproue it in others, and yet commit it him­selfe, [Page 144] Romanes 2. 21.

To do it vnder pretence of Religion, 2. Corinth. 11. 20.

To oppresse strangers or widdowes, or the father­lesse, Exodus 22. 21, 22.

To blesse the couetous, Psal. 10. 3.

To commit it in the place of iudgement, by peruer­ting of Iustice, or by ex­tortion, Ezekiel. 22. 12. or by bribery, Amos 5. 12. Ex­odus 23. 8. or by refusing to to doe Iustice, Prouerbs. 21. 7.

To steale thy Masters goods, Tit. 2.

To steale consecrated [Page 145] things by sacriledge, or si­mony, Mal. 3. 8. Acts 8. 18, 20.

To steale a man or maid, Exod. 22. 16.

CHAP. XII.

THus of the sinnes a­gainst mans goods.

The sinnes against mens good name follow, and so men offend by Omission, or by Commission.

By Omission hee of­fends,

That sets not forth righ­teousnesse, Prou. 12. 9.

That doth not cleere or deliuer the afflicted, when he may, Gen. 40. 23.

That disgraceth others, by forbearing their com­pany without iust cause, Iob 19. 3, 19. Psal. 58. 3.

That is vnthankefull, 1. Tim. 3. 2.

By Commission men of­fend, Internally, or Exter­nally.

Internally he offends,

That despiseth his neigh­bour in his thoughts, Prou. 14. 21.

That disdaines at the credit and praise of others, as the Pharises did.

That thirsts after all oc­casions of the contempt of others, Iob 34. 7.

That is suspicious, and thinketh euill, 1. Cor. 12. 5.

Externally men offend,

1. In witnesse-bearing, and so he offends,

That condemnes a man without witnesse, Deut. 19. 15.

That beares false wit­nesse.

That is fearefull to beare witnesse to the Truth, Reu. 21. 8.

That furthers the euill causes of wicked men, Exo. 23. 1.

2. In lying, Reuelat. 22. 15. and the blame of this sinne reacheth,

To such as vse dissimula­tion, Gal. 2. 25.

To such as speak vntruth for feare, Gen. 38. 2.

The aggrauations of ly­ing are,

To loue lyes, Reuclat. 22. 15. Psal. 52. 3.

To hate those thou hast wronged with thy lyes, Pro. 26. vlt.

To breake promise, 2. Tim. 3. 3.

To preach falshoods, 1. Cor. 15. 15.

To say one hath no sin, 1. Iohn 1. 8.

To say to men in distress, There is no helpe, Psal. 3. 2. Iob 13. 14.

To colour sin with pre­tence of Religion, Marke 12. 40.

3. In slandering and e­uill reports, Ex. 23. 1. which is to be extended also to

[Page 150]1. Biting iests, Ephes. 5. 4.

2. To reuealing of se­cret infirmities, Prou. 11. 13. & 20. 19.

3. To the carying about of tales, Leuit. 19. 16. Prou. 16. 28.

4. To the receiuing & furthering of slanders, Ier. 20. 10.

5. To the wresting of mens words, or telling the truth of malice, 1. Sam. 22. 9, 10. Psal. 52. 1, 2.

The aggrauations of slander are,

1. To encourage them­selues in an euill matter, and to commune together [Page 151] about it, Psal. 64. 5.

2. To boast of his wic­kednesse therein, Psalme 52. 1.

3. To slander the righ­teous, and quiet of the land, Psalme. 31. 18. & 59. 2. & 102. 8. & 35. 20. & 83. 3, 5. & 4. 2.

4. To raise euill report of his parents, Genesis 9. 22

5. To fill the eares of Princes with clamour, Hos. 3. 8.

6. To be a make-bate, or a railer, 1. Cor. 6. 9. 2. Tim. 3. 3.

4. In censuring & iudg­ing, Iam. 2. 4.

The aggrauations are,

To search and pry for faults in others, that he might censure them, Psal. 64. 6. Prou. 16. 27.

To doe it for things in­different, Rom. 14.

To censure small faults in others, and to be guilty of great offences himselfe, Math. 7.

5. In vaine-glory and minding too much our owne praises.

And so also he offends,

That boasteth of a false gift, Prou. 27. 1.

That iustifieth himselfe ouer-much, Iob 35. 2.

That boasts of to mor­row, Prou. 17. 1.

That measures himselfe by himselfe, 2. Cor. 10. 12.

6. In flattery, Psal. 12. 3. Prou. 27. 14. & 26. 26.

7. In iustifying the wic­ked, Prouerbs 15. 15. & 24. 24.

CHAP. XIII.

HItherto of the sinnes with consent of the will.

The sinnes before con­sent of the will, are:

1. To want desire of the good and welfare ey­ther of himselfe, or other men.

2. To conceiue euill thoughts, Math. 15. 19. or couet euill.

3. To delight in the in­ward contemplation of e­uill, whether in dreames▪ or awake, though it bee without purpose to act [Page 155] them outwardly, Iude 8. Iam. 1. 14.

Hitherto of the sinnes a­gainst the Law.

CHAP. XIIII.

THe sinnes against the Gospell may be refer­red to foure heads, as they are sinnes,

Against Christ.

Against Repentance.

Against Faith.

Against the graces of the Spirit.

1. Hee sinnes against Christ,

That saith he is Christ, Math. 24.

That denyeth directly, or by consequent, that Christ is come in the flesh, 1. Iohn. 4: 3. & 2. 23.

That hath base thoughts of Christ, Esay 53. 3.

That saith, hee hath no sinne, 1. Iohn 1. 7, 8, 10.

That worships God with­out Christ, Ioh. 17. 3. 1. Ioh. 2. 23.

That vseth not Christ as his owne and only Aduo­cate, 1. Iohn 2. 1. 2. Tim. 2. 5.

That loues not the Lord Iesus Christ with inflamed affections, 1. Corin. 16. 12. Ephes. 6. 24. Phil. 3. 9.

2. The sins against re­pentance.

That confesseth not his sinnes without hiding, di­stinctly, Prou. 28. 13. Psalm. 32. 5.

That mournes not for his sinnes, Ierem. 5. 2.

That forsakes not his sinnes, Prou. 28. 13.

Yea hee sinnes against repentance,

That repents faynedly, Ier. 3. 10.

That repents desperate­ly, as Cain and Iudas.

That repents too late, Iob 27. 9.

That repents by halues, and in some things onely, as Ahab and Herod.

That falls away from his [Page 159] repentance, 2. Pet. 2. 19, 20.

The aggrauations are,

To be wise to doe euill, Ierem. 4. 22.

To pursue euill, Prouerbs 11. 9.

To reioyce in doing e­uill, and make a mocke of sinne, Prou. 2. 14. & 14.

To bee without shame, and to declare his sinne like the Sodomites, Isaiah 5. 9. Ierem. 3. 3.

To be incorrigible, Ier. 5. 2.

To frette, because hee is croffed in sinne, Prou. 19. 3.

To blesse himself against the curses of the Law, Deut. 29. 19.

To freeze in security, Zeph. 1. 12.

To refuse to returne.

3. Hee sinnes against Faith,

That beleeues not in Ie­sus Christ for his Iustifica­tion and saluation, Iohn 3. 17.

Yea he offends,

That is carelesse, & neg­lects the assurance of faith, Hebr. 6. 12. Rom. 1. 16.

That in affliction doubts of Gods fauour and good­nesse, Esay 41. & 49. 15.

The aggrauations.

Not to seeke after God at all, Zeph. 1. 6.

Not to stir vp our selues [Page 161] to take hold on God, when mercy is offered, Esay 64. 7.

Not to answere when God calls, Esay 50. 2.

To forsake our owne mercy, or scoffe at the signes of it, Ion. 2. 8.

4. He sinnes against the graces of the Spirit,

1. That receiues the grace of God in vaine, 2. Cor. 6. 5.

2. That turns the grace of God into wantonnesse, Iude 3.

3. That falls away from the grace of God, eyther wholly by forsaking the ac­knowledgement of the Truth, 2. Pet. 2. 20. Or in [Page 162] the measure, by losing his first loue, Reuel. 2.

4. That tempts, grieues, or quencheth the Spirit: Ephes. 4. 30. 1. Thes. 1. 19.

5. That despights the Spirit of Grace, and of ma­lice persecutes the knowne truth, which is the sinne a­gainst the holy Ghost, Hebr. 10. 26.