A26804:45
Sermons preached on several occasionsSermons preach'd on several occasions
Sermons preached on several occasions by William Bates.Sermons preach'd on several occasions by William Bates.
London: printed by J.D. for Jonathan Robinson, 1693
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.
Genesis xxxix. 9. How can I do this great Wickedness, and sin against God?
2. I shall proceed to consider the Evil of Sin relatively to us, and prove it to be most pernicious and destructive. 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 ⟨p. 40⟩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. I shall proceed to consider the Evil of Sin relatively to us, and prove it to be most pernicious and destructive. 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 ⟨p. 40⟩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.