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…

Thirdly, other evils the Saints have chosen and embraced as good, and refused the greatest good things the world had, as evil, when they came in competition with sin. So Moses those rather to suffer, much rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin, Heb. 11. from 24. to 28. So Chrysostom, when Eudoxia the Empress threatened ⟨p. 9⟩him: go tell her, says he, Nil nisi peccatum timeo, I fear nothing but sin.

Thirdly, other evils the Saints have chosen and imbraced as good, and refused the greatest good things the world had, as evill, when they came in competition with sinne. So Moses those rather to suffer, much rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sinne, Heb. 11. from 24. to 28. So Chrysostome, when Eudoxia the Empresse threatned ⟨p. 9⟩him: goe tell her, sayes he, Nil nisi peccatum timeo, I feare nothing but sinne.

Fourthly, take the Devil himself, whom you all conceive to be more full of mischief than all the evils in the world, called therefore in the abstract spiritual wickedness, Eph. 6. 12. yet it was but sin that first spoiled him, and it is sin possesseth the very devils: he was a glorious Angel, till he was acquainted with it: and could there be a separation made between him and sin, he would be again of as good, sweet, and amiable a nature, as any creature in earth or heaven.

Fourthly, take the Devill himselfe, whom you all conceive to be more full of mischiefe than all the evills in the world, called therefore in the abstract spirituall wickednesse, Eph. 6. 12. yet it was but sinne that first spoiled him, and it is sinne possesseth the very devils: he was a glorious Angell, till he was acquainted with it: and could there be a separation made betweene him and sinne, he would be againe of as good, sweet, and amiable a nature, as any creature in earth or heaven.