Aggravation of sin and sinning against knowledge. Mercy. Delivered in several sermons upon divers…Aggravation of sinne and sinning against knowledge. Mercie. Delivered in severall sermons upon divers…

Fourthly, when the Law, being known, is broken, §4there is the more contempt cast upon the Law, ¹and the Law-giver also; and so a higher degree of sinning. And therefore Numbers 15. 30. He that sins out of knowledge, is said to reproach the Lord, and to despise the word. And therefore Saul sinning against knowledge, Samuel calleth it rebellion: and though it were but in a small thing, yet he parallels it with witchcraft. So also Job 24. 13. they are said to rebel, when they sin against light; because rebellion is added to disobedience: For knowledge is an Officer set to see the Law executed, and fulfilled; and makes God present to the conscience. Therefore Rom. 2. 14. it is called a witness; and therefore in sinning against knowledge, men are said to sin before the face of the Lord himself; now what a great contempt is that? Therefore also Psal. 50. the hypocrite sinning against knowledge, is said to cast the law of God behind his back: so as there is a contempt in this sinning, which is in no other.

Fourthly, when the Law, being knowne, is broken, §4there is the more contempt cast upon the Law, ¹and the Law-giver also; and so a higher degree of sinning. And therefore Numbers 15. 30. He that sinnes out of knowledge, is said to reproach the Lord, and to despise the word. And therefore Saul sinning against knowledge, Samuel calleth it rebellion: and though it were but in a small thing, yet he parallels it with witchcraft. So also Iob 24. 13. they are said to rebell, when they sinne against light; because rebellion is added to disobedience: For knowledge is an Officer set to see the Law executed, and fulfilled; and makes God present to the conscience. Therefore