A25466:931
Casuistical morning-exercises the fourth volume /
Casuistical morning-exercises the fourth volume / by several ministers in and about London, preached in October, 1689.
London: printed by James Astwood for John Dunton, 1690
Sermon 11: Quest. How is Sin the most formidable Evil? SERMON XI.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Sin is an evil of that malignity, that the least degree of it is fatal. If it be conceived in the Soul, tho' not actually finished, 'tis deadly. One sin corrupted in an instant angelical excellencies, and turned the glorious Spirits of Heaven into Devils. 'Tis a poison so strong, that ⟨image 116⟩the first taste of it shed a deadly taint and malignity into the veins of all mankind.
Sin is an evil of that malignity, that the least degree of it is fatal. If it be conceiv'd in the Soul, tho' not actually finisht, 'tis deadly. One sin corrupted in an instant angelical excellencies, and turn'd the glorious Spirits of Heaven into Devils. 'Tis a poison so strong, that ⟨image 116⟩the first taste of it shed a deadly taint and malignity into the veins of all mankind.
Sin is such an exceeding Evil, that 'tis the severest punishment Divine Justice inflicts on sinners on this side Hell. The giving Men over to the power of their lusts, is the most fearful judgment, not only with respect to the cause, Gods unrelenting and unquenchable anger, and the issue, everlasting destruction, but in the quality of the judgment. Nay, did sin appear as odious in our Eyes as it does in Gods, we should account it the worst part of Hell it self, the pollutions of the damned to be an evil exceeding the torments superadded to them.
Sin is pregnant with all kinds of Evils, the seeds of it are big with Judgments. The evils that are obvious to sense, or that are Spiritual and Inward, Temporal and Eternal Evils, all proceed from sin, often as the Natural cause, and always as the Meritorious. And many times the same punishment is produced by the efficiency of sin, as well as inflicted for its guilt. Thus uncleanness without the miraculous waters of Jealousy rots the Body, and the pleasure of sin is revenged by a loathsome consuming Disease, the natural consequence of it. Thus intemperance and luxury, shorten the lives of Men and accelerate damnation. Fierce desires, and wild rage are fuel for the everlasting fire in Hell. The same evils considered Physically are from the efficiency of sin, considered legally are from the guilt of sin, and the justice of God.