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…

Contents of Aggravation of sinning against knowledge.

Doct. TO sin against knowledge is the highest aggravation of sinning. page 34 1. Demonstrations of the point, by comparing it with other kinds of sinning. 36 How much sins against knowledge do transcend sins of ignorance. 37 1. In sins of ignorance there may be a supposition, if he had known it, he would not have done it: but not so in these. ibid. 2. The vast difference between them appears in the repentance God accepts for each: a general repentance for the one, not so for the other. 39 3. Some kinds of sinning against knowledge exclude from mercy, which done ignorantly, leave a capacity of it. 40 4. Sinning against knowledge is the highest, but that of sinning against the holy Ghost. 41 6. Reasons. 1. Because knowledge is the greatest mercy. 42 2. Knowledge is the immediate guide of men in all their ways: a man sins against his guide. 43 That knowledge is so proved, in that an erroneous conscience binds. 45 3. Reason: Knowledge layeth a further obligation to obedience. ibid. Laws come in force when promulged. 46 4. There is the more contempt cast on the law. 47 5. In sins against knowledge the will of the sinner closeth more with sin, as sin. ibid. ⟨image 21⟩6. In sinning against knowledge, a man condemns himself. 48 Three things handled concerning sins against knowledge. ibid. 1. What it is to sin against knowledge explained. 49 1. Distinction, To sin with knowledge and against knowledge do differ. ibid. A regenerate man guilty of more sins known than another. ibid. Yet not of more sins against knowledge. 50 2. Distinction. Men sin against knowledge either objectively or circumstantially only. 51 1. What it is to sin directly against knowledge. ibid. 2. What to sin against knowledge circumstantially only. ibid. This distinction explained out of this Chap. ibid. Sins directly against knowledge reduced to two heads. 52 1. In regard of our selves 5. ways. ibid. 1. When we abuse knowledge to help us to sin. ib. 3. Ways. 1. To plot and contrive sin. 2. To colour sins committed by lies. 3. To colour sins by pretence of religion, and use their knowledge of religion to plead for and justify their sin. ibid. 2. When men neglect to get knowledge that might preserve them from sinning. 53 3. When men refuse knowledge that they may sin more freely. 55 4. Is to hate the light, and to endeavour to extinguish it. 55