The Whole Treatise of the Cases of Conscience

If it be here alleged, that Sin is nothing but the doing of that, which is unlawful to be done, and that this is equal in all men that sin: and therefore by consequent, offences are equal. I answer, that in every sin, men must not consider the unlawfulness thereof only, but the reason why it should be unlawful: and that is properly, because it is a breach of Gods law, and repugnant to his will revealed in his word. Now there is no breach of a divine Law, but it is more or less repugnant unto the will of the Lawgiver, God himself. And many transgressions, are more repugnant thereunto then fewer: for the more sin is increased, the more is the wrath of God inflamed against the sinner upon his due desert.

If it be here alleadged, that Sin is nothing but the doing of that, which is vnlawfull to be done, and that this is equall in all men that sinne: and therfore by consequent, offences are equall. I answer, that in euery sin, mē must not consider the vnlawfulnes thereof onely, but the reason why it should be vnlawfull: and that is properly, because it is a breach of Gods law, and repugnant to his will reuealed in his word. Nowe there is no breach of a diuine Law, but it is more or lesse repugnant vnto the will of the Lawgiuer, God himselfe. And many transgressions, are more repugnāt thereunto then fewer: for the more sin is increased, the more is the wrath of God in•lamed against the sinner vpon his due desert.

If it be said again, that the nature of Sin stands only in this, that the sinner makes an aberration from the scope or mark that is set before him, and doth no more then pass the bonds of duty prescribed by God, and that all are alike in this respect; The answer is, that it is a falsehood to affirm, that he which makes the less aberration from the duty commanded, is equal in offence to him ⟨p. 41⟩that makes the greater. For the same sin for substance, hath sundry steps and degrees, in respect whereof, one man becometh a more heinous offender then another. For example, in the seventh commandment when God forbids the committing of Adultery, he forbiddeth three degrees of the same sin; to wit, adultery of the heart, consisting of inordinate and unclean affections; adultery of the tongue in corrupt, dishonest, and unseemly speeches; and the very act of uncleanness and filthiness committed by the body. Now it cannot be said, that he which breaks this commandment only in the first degree, is as great a transgressor, as he that hath proceeded to the second, and so to the third. And therefore it remains for an undoubted truth, that Sins committed against the Law of God are not equal, but some lesser, some greater.