A25467:465
A Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practically resolvedA Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practicaly resolved
A Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practically resolved by sundry ministers in October, 1682.A Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practicaly resolved by sundry ministers in October, 1682.
London: printed by J.A. for John Dunton, 1683
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Sermon 5: Quest. How ought we to bewail the Sins of the Places where we live? SERMON V.
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.
1. Whether you have not some way or other furthered this Sinner in his much to be lamented impieties, either by not endeavouring to hinder him from Sin so much as you might, or by prompting him to it more than you ought: If so, how deeply this is to be resented, you heard before.
2. Whether the same open Sins that are acted by him the noted Offender, or Sins almost or altogether as bad, are not acted and entertained by thee in secret places, 1or at least in thy Heart. If so, doubtless 'tis thy duty to cast the first Stone at thy self; and (as Christ said to the Daughters of Jerusalem) to weep first under the sense of thy own Unholiness; and to remember, though thy Sins are not so infamous as those of a public Sinner, yet by being secret, they may be Sins of greater danger: And that, First, by occasioning Hypocrisy, in contenting thy self with visible appearances of Holiness, and freedom from open impieties.2 2. Thy secret Sins may be more dangerous, in regard by their secrecy, thou shalt not be so happy as to meet a reprover. The loudly snorting Sinner every one will be ready to jog with a Reprehension, whilst thou that sinnest silently in secret, shalt be freed from any wholesome molestation by holy Reprehension: He that would be watchful wants either a severe Censurer or a faithful Reprover. 3. Thy secret Sins are not so like to trouble and awaken thy drowsy Conscience, the Sins of public offences having oft been the occasion to make People both ashamed of Sin and afraid of Vengeance.
2. Whether the same open Sins that are acted by him the noted Offender, or Sins almost or altogether as bad, are not acted and entertain'd by thee in secret places, 1or at least in thy Heart. If so, doubtless 'tis thy duty to cast the first Stone at thy self; and (as Christ said to the Daughters of Jerusalem) to weep first under the sence of thy own Unholiness; and to remember, thô thy Sins are not so infamous as those of a publick Sinner, yet by being secret, they may be Sins of greater danger: And that, First, by occasioning Hypocrisie, in contenting thy self with visible appearances of Holiness, and freedom from open impieties.