Casuistical morning-exercises the fourth volume /

2. Sin relatively to us, is the most pernicious and destructive Evil. If we compare it with temporal Evils, it preponderates all that Men are liable to in the present World. Diseases in our Bodies, disasters in our Estates, disgrace in our Reputation, are in just esteem far less evil than the evil of sin: for that corrupts and destroys our more excellent and immortal part: The vile Body is of no account in comparison of the precious Soul. Therefore the Apostle enforces his exhortation, Dearly beloved brethren, abstain from fleshly lusts, that war against the Soul. The issue of this War is infinitely more woeful, than of the most cruel against our Bodies and Goods, our Liberties and Lives: for our Estates and Freedom if lost may be recovered; if the present Life be lost for the cause of God, it shall be restored in greater lustre and perfection; but if the Soul be lost, 'tis lost for ever.

2. Sin relatively to us, is the most pernicious and destructive Evil. If we compare it with temporal Evils, it preponderates all that Men are liable to in the present World. Diseases in our Bodies, disasters in our Estates, disgrace in our Reputation, are in just esteem far less evil than the evil of sin: for that corrupts and destroys our more excellent and immortal part: The vile Body is of no account in comparison of the precious Soul. Therefore the Apostle enforces his exhortation, Dearly beloved brethren, abstain from fleshly lusts, that war against the Soul. The issue of this War is infinitely more woful, than of the most cruel against our Bodies and Goods, our Liberties and Lives: for our Estates and Freedom if lost may be recover'd; if the present Life be lost for the cause of God, it shall be restor'd in greater lustre and perfection; but if the Soul be lost, 'tis lost for ever.

All temporal Evils are consistent with the love of God: Job on the dunghill, roughcast with Ulcers, was most precious in Gods sight: Lazarus in the lowest poverty, and wasted with loathsome Sores, was dear to his affections; a guard of Angels was sent to convey his departing Soul to the Divine Presence. But sin separates between God and us, who is the fountain of felicity, and the centre of rest to the Soul.