Casuistical morning-exercises the fourth volume /

3. Moral: Both were sinful Cities, but their sins of a distinct kind. The sins of Sodom were sins against the Law more directly, and against the Light of Nature, and of the highest scandal; but Capernaum's sins were more against the New Light of the Gospel breaking forth upon them from Christ's Ministry, and the mighty Works whereby his Doctrine was confirmed among them.

Now Christ considering both these Cities, and the sin of both, gives the decision in the Text, That it will be more tolerable for the Land of Sodom, than Capernaum, in the day of Judgment.

And may not this seem strange and amazing? Sodom was a City that was wicked to a Prodigy, and to a Proverb. It's said, Gen. 13.13. That the men of Sodom were sinners and wicked before the Lord exceedingly. And impudency in sin is called a declaring their sin like Sodom, Isai. 3.9. And they are to me like Sodom, saith God, speaking of the sin of the Jews, Jer. 23.14. And wicked Rulers are called Rulers of Sodom, Isai. 1.10. Whereupon Lot is said to vex his righteous Soul with their unlawful Deeds, 2 Pet. 2.8. And there is a sin, not fit to be mentioned, called by the name of Sodomy; so denominated from the place. Yet notwithstanding all this, it will be more tolerable for Sodom than Capernaum in the day of Judgment: Capernaum was lifted up to Heaven by many favours and privileges, which were not vouchsafed to Sodom; had means of knowing the Saviour of the World, and the way of Salvation above what Sodom had; had Christ himself, the Son of God present, preaching, and doing many wonderful Works in it, which Sodom never had. Many things are recorded in the Evangelists about this Capernaum, and its Privileges above most Cities. It's said, that Christ dwelt here,