This Apostasy, is sometimes sin against the holy Ghost. In the sin against the holy Ghost, we have have these several points to be considered: I. The Name; it is called a sin against the holy ghost, not because it is done against the person, or deity of the holy Ghost (for in this respect he that sinneth against the holy Ghost, sinneth in like sort against both the father, & the Son) but it is so called, because it is done contrary to the immediate action, namely, the illumination of the holy Ghost. For albeit this be an action common to the whole Trinity, yet the Father and the son do effect the same by the holy Ghost. II. The efficient cause of it; which is a set & obstinate malice against God, and against his Christ. Therefore when a man doth in the time of persecution, either for fear, or rashly deny Christ, he doth not commit this sin against the holy Ghost, as may appear by the example of Peter who denied Christ. Mat. 26.73.74.75. Neither doth he which persecuteth Christ and his Church upon ignorance fall into this sin. Paul persecuted the Church of Christ, and yet God had mercy on him, because he did it ignorantly. 1. Tim. 1.13. Many of the Jews crucified our Saviour Christ, who afterward, because they committed that grievous fact upon ignorance, repenting at Peters sermon, they did obtain remission of their sins. Act. 3.17. 37. III. The Object, namely God himself, and the Mediator Christ Jesus. For the malice of this sin is directed against the very majesty of God himself, and against Christ. Hebr. 10.29. Of how much sorer punishment suppose ye shall he be worthy, which treadeth underfoot the Son of God, and counteth the blood of the Testament as an unholy thing, wherewith he was sanctified, and doth despise the spirit of grace? Therefore this sin doth directly respect the first table of the moral law, and is not some particular slipping aside from the observation of those commandments which are contained in this first table, such as are some doubtings concerning God, or of the truth of the scriptures, or of Christ, &c. but it is a general defection & apostasy from God, and that totally. IV. The subject in which it is. This sin is found in none at all, but such as have been enlightened by the holy Ghost, and have tasted of the good gift of God. Heb. 6.5,6.
This Apostasie, is sometimes sinne against the holy Ghost. In the sinne against the holy Ghost, we haue haue these seuerall points to be considered: I. The Name; it is called a sinne against the holy ghost, not because it is done against the person, or deitie of the holy Ghost (for in this respect he that sinneth against the holy Ghost, sinneth in like sort against both the father, & the Sonne) but it is so called, because it is done contrarie to the immediate action, namely, the illumination of the holy Ghost. For albeit this be an action common to the whole Trinitie, yet the Father and the sonne doe effect the same by the holy Ghost. II. The efficient cause of it; which is a set & obstinate malice against God, and against his Christ. Therefore when a man doth in the time of persecution, either for feare, or rashly denie Christ, he doth not commit this sinne against the holy Ghost, as may appeare by the example of Peter who denied Christ. Mat. 26.73.74.75. Neither doth he which persecuteth Christ and his Church vpon ignorance fall into this sinne. Paul persecuted the Church of Christ, and yet God had mercie on him, because he did it ignorantly. 1. Tim. 1.13. Many of the Iewes crucified our Sauiour Christ, who afterward, because they committed that grieuous fact vpon ignorance, repenting at Peters sermon, they did obtaine remission of their sinnes. Act. 3.17. 37. III. The Obiect, namely God himselfe, and the Mediatour Christ Iesus. For the malice of this sinne is directed against the very maiestie of God himselfe, and against Christ. Hebr. 10.29. Of how much sorer punishment suppose yee shall he be worthie, which treadeth vnderfoote the Sonne of God, and counteth the blood of the Testament as an vnholy thing, wherewith he was sanctified, and doth despise the spirit of grace? Therefore this sinne doth directly respect the first table of the morall law, and is not some particular slipping aside from the obseruation of those commandements which are contained in this first table, such as are some doubtings concerning God, or of the truth of the scriptures, or of Christ, &c. but it is a generall defection & apo•tasie from God, and that totally. IV. The subiect in which it is. This sin is found in none at al, but such as haue been enlightened by the holy Ghost, and haue tasted of the good gift of God. Heb. 6.5,6.
