Casuistical morning-exercises the fourth volume /

1. That sin considered in it self is the greatest Evil. This will be evident by considering the general Nature of it, as directly opposite to God the supreme good. The definition of sin expresses its essential Evil; 'tis the transgression of the Divine Law, and consequently opposes the rights of Gods Throne, and obscures the Glory of his Attributes that are exercised in the Moral Government of the World. God as Creator is our King, our Lawgiver and Judge. From his propriety in us arises his just title to Sovereign Power over us:¹ Know ye that the Lord he is God, 'tis he that made us, not we our selves, we are his people and the Sheep of his pasture. The Creatures of a lower order, are uncapable of distinguishing between Moral Good and Evil, and are determined by the weight of Nature to what is merely sensible, and therefore are uncapable of a Law to regulate their choice. But Man who is endowed with the powers of Understanding and Election, to conceive and choose what is Good, and reject what is Evil, is governed by a Law, the declared will of his Maker: accordingly a Law the rule of his Obedience, was written in his Heart.

1. That sin considered in it self is the greatest Evil. This will be evident by considering the general Nature of it, as directly opposite to God the supreme good. The definition of sin expresses its essential Evil; 'tis the transgression of the Divine Law, and consequently opposes the rights of Gods Throne, and obscures the Glory of his Attributes that are exercis'd in the Moral Government of the World. God as Creator is our King, our Lawgiver and Judge. From his propriety in us arises his just title to Sovereign Power over us:¹ Know ye that the Lord he is God, 'tis he that made us, not we our selves, we are his people and the Sheep of his pasture. The Creatures of a lower order, are uncapable of distinguishing between Moral Good and Evil, and are determin'd by the weight of Nature to what is merely sensible, and therefore are uncapable of a Law to regulate their choice. But Man who is endowed with the powers of Understanding and Election, to conceive and choose what is Good, and reject what is Evil, is govern'd by a Law, the declared will of his Maker: accordingly a Law the rule of his Obedience, was written in his Heart.

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