Remains of that reverend and learned divine, John Preston, Dr. in Divinity, chaplain in…Remaines of that reverend and learned divine, Iohn Preston, Dr. in Divinity, chaplaine in…

First, I say, that sin is full of grief and bitterness, ⟨p. 261⟩the Prophet calls it bitter, in Jerem. 2. 19. Know, saith he, that which thou hast done is bitter and ¹evil, that is, you shall find it bitter: nay it is bitter now, if you taste it; and it is always so, though you do not always feel it so; as the Serpent always hath a sting, though he do not always use it, so though sin doth not always appear bitter unto you, yet it is, and it appears not bitter oftentimes to some, because it doth not use its sting always; but sin is bitter, because it is the cause of all afflictions: I say, sin is the sting and edge of every affliction, take sin from the affliction, and affliction will be but a bulk without a burden, or as a Serpent without a sting, or a sword without an edge: and on the contrary, nothing is bitter, nor hurts, if sin be removed: Paul had a good conscience, because sin was not joined with it, and therefore the afflictions, imprisonments, and reproaches, that he met withal did not hurt him, they had no sting in them, in 1. Cor. 15. 56. saith the Apostle, The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the Law. That ²which gives a sting unto death is sin, and that which gives a sting unto sin is the Law; for if it were not for the Law, there would be no sin, and if it were not for sin, there would not be any sting or bitterness in death. Therefore sin cannot choose, but in its own nature be exceeding bitter and evil: and therefore esteem how you will of sin, now; but if once you come to know God in his power and greatness, then you shall ⟨p. 262⟩know sin to be bitter and evil: and the reason is, because sin makes us to see God, as a Judge ready to cast us into hell, out of his presence, and utterly to destroy us: What was the reason, that Paul was so affrighted and astonished in this place? but because he saw God in his power, and holiness; and sin contrary unto the pure nature of God: And what was the reason that the Jailer was so affrighted? was it because the prison doors were opened? no, but because he apprehended a wonderful power in God; there was a glimpse of the power of God, that shone into his heart, and this was that which so affrighted him: so you see that the more that any man sees into the power and Majesty of God, the more bitter will sin be unto the soul: