A guide to go to GodA guide to goe to God

3. Concerning comparison of sins, it cannot be denied that some sins are very small, as a by-thought in an holy duty, an idle word, a little tap with the hand; and that other sins are very heinous, as blasphemy, perjury, murder, adultery and such like. Therefore comparatively smaller sins may be styled venial, in relation to heinous and notorious sins, which are called mortal, in that they do more apparently and more deeply implunge into death and damnation. Thus all Ecclesiastical Writers, both ancient and modern, have used this distinction.

3. Concerning comparison of sinnes, it cannot bee denied that some sinnes are very small, as a by-thought in an holy duty, an idle word, a little tap with the hand; and that other sinnes are very hainous, as blasphemie, periurie, murther, adulterie and such like. Therefore comparatiuely smaller sinnes may bee stiled veniall, in relation to hainous and notorious sinnes, which are called mortall, in that they doe more apparantly and more deepely implunge into death and damnation. Thus all Ecclesiastical Writers, both ancient and moderne, haue vsed this distinction.

4. Concerning the Churches manner of proceeding against sinners, many sins do daily pass from men, which▪ though by Ministers they be reproved, and Gods judgements be denounced against them, yet pass not under the Churches public censure. These have been called venial. There are other sins which even before men seem so intolerable, as the Church thinketh not the committers of them worthy to be admitted to the holy ordinances of God, but denounceth against them some public censure of suspension, excommunication, or execration and anathema, till public repentance be manifested, and satisfaction given to the Church. Thus because one of the Church of Corinth had committed such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, ¹Saint Paul delivered him to Satan. These sins worthy of such censure, have been called mortal.

4. Concerning the Churches manner of proceeding against sinners, many sinnes doe dayly passe from men, which though by Ministers they be reproued, and Gods iudgements be denounced against them, yet passe not vnder the Churches publike censure. These haue been called veniall. There are other sinnes which euen before men seeme so intollerable, as the Church thinketh not the committers of them worthy to bee admitted to the holy ordinances of God, but denounceth against them some publike censure of suspention, excommunication, or execration and anathema, till publike repentance be manifested, and satisfaction giuen to the Church. Thus because one of the Church of Corinth had committed such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles,