3. From the nature of this sin: Its not a sin of ignorance, for want of knowledge, not a sin of infirmity, nor is it only a sin of presumption, for that may proceed from boldness, rather then malice; but a sin of malice far worse than any of those. He that despised Moses Law dyed without mercy under two or three witnesses; that is, that sinned presumptuously, and out of boldness; for sins of ignorance and infirmity, there were sacrifices ordained in the Law; but if a man sinned wilfully, he dyed without mercy, though his sin were never so small, as gathering of sticks; now therefore, if there was no pardon for such a sin of presumption, How much sorer punishment is he worthy of, that tramples under foot the blood of the covenant, and doth despite to Spirit of grace?

3. From the nature of this sin: Its not a sin of ignorance, for want of knowledge, not a sin of infirmity, nor is it onely a sin of presumption, for that may proceed from boldnesse, rather then malice; but a sin of malice far worse than any of those. He that despised Moses Law dyed without mercy under two or three witnesses; that is, that sinned presumptuously, and out of boldnesse; for sins of ignorance and infirmity, there were sacrifices ordained in the Law; but if a man sinned wilfully, he dyed without mercy, though his sin were never so small, as gathering of sticks; now therefore, if there was no pardon for such a sin of presumption, How much sorer punishment is he worthy of, that tramples under foot the blood of the covenant, and doth despight to Spirit of grace?

4 From the glory of Gods grace. It's the glory of grace that it extends to the pardoning and healing of all sins besides; no sin of ignorance or infirmity, but grace can heal, the most presumptuous it can humble, but if a man man maliciously despise the Spirit of grace, God that is most jealous of the glory of his grace, will never have it abused by them.

4 From the glory of Gods grace. It's the glory of grace that it extends to the pardoning and healing of all sins besides; no sin of ihnorance or infirmity, but grace can heal, the most presumptuous it can humble, but if a man man maliciously despise the Spirit of grace, God that is most jealous of the glory of his grace, will never have it abused by them.

Use 1. Of refutation of some ancient tenets about this sin. The Schoolmen say it is one of those six sins, as Aquinas reckons them up, either despair, or presumption, or opposing the known truth, or envying the graces of others, or obstinate purpose in sin, or final impenitency; but many of those may be found in those whom God afterwards receives to mercy. There hath been found despair even in Gods own servants, Psal. 31, 22. And as for presumption, Nathan chargeth David that had despised the commandment of the ⟨p. 427⟩Lord. And that was a sin of presumption, Num: 16.30, 31. for oppugning the known truth. Herod put John in prison, and to death; Darius cast Daniel into the Lyons den, both against their conscience, and yet neither of them sinned against the holy Ghost, because they were both sorry for it. Asa put the Prophet in prison. For envying the graces of others, it was found in Joshua, Num. 11.28.29. For obstinate purpose in sin, its found in every one that sins presumptuously, 2 Sam. 24.1, to 4. For final impenitency, that it is not the sin against the holy Ghost, because St. John then would not have given order not to pray for them, for final impenitency cannot be discerned till death, and so St. Johns direction had been but frivolous.

Ʋse 1. Of refutation of some ancient tenets about this sin. The Schoolmen say it is one of those siv sins, as Aquinas reckons them up, either despair, or presumption, or opposing the known truth, or envying the graces of others, or obstinate purpose in sin, or finall impenitency; but many of those may be found in those whom God afterwards receives to mercy. There hath been found despair even in Gods owne servants, Psal. 31, 22. And as for presumption, Nathan chargeth David that had despised the commandement of the ⟨p. 427⟩Lord. And that was a sin of presumption, Num: 16.30, 31. for oppugning the known truth. Herod put John in prison, and to death; Darius cast Daniel into the Lyons den, both against their conscience, and yet neither of them sinned against the holy Ghost, because they were both sorry for it. Afa put the Prophet in prison. For envying the graces of others, it was found in Joshua,

2. Of refutation of Bellarmine and Suarez, that say, Therefore this sin is said to be unto death, not that it is never pardoned, but not without much difficulty. Whereas its said to be impossible, Heb. 6.4. They answer, 1. Impossibile in Aristotle is the same with difficile. 2. Its impossible with men, not with God.

But were it a sin that might be pardoned, though with never so much difficulty, yet we ought to pray for it, and so much the more earnestly; therefore, seeing St John dissuades us from the usual remedy against sin, viz. prayer, therefore certainly its a sin unto death, that cannot be pardoned.

But were it a sin that might be pardoned, though with never so much difficulty, yet we ought to pray for it, and so much the more earnestly; therefore, seeing St John disswades us from the usuall remedy against sin, viz. prayer, therefore certainly its a sin unto death, that cannot be pardoned.

3. A third error hence refuted, is of those that conceive this sin is very rarely found, and more hardly to be discerned, but why doth St John write to common Christians not to pray for them? a sign they may be found and discerned.

3. A third errour hence refuted, is of those that conceive this sin is very rarely found, and more hardly to be discerned, but why doth St John write to common Christians not to pray for them? a signe they may be found and discerned.

Use 2. To teach all that would live long and see good days, to take heed of opposing and maligning the known truth. Many have conceived that this sin hath hardly been found in the world, except in Julian the Apostate, and such open enemies of Christ; I wish it were so rare, but are there not too many in the world, that have been enlightened and convinced of the truth of God, that those are the ways and servants of God, and yet rise up against them with open spite and disdain, and persecute them with malice and scorn? Is not this sin found too often in the Church? Many indeed of our Saviours persecutors did it out of ignorance, and our Saviours prayer was effectual for them, Father forgive them, they know not what they do: But there were of them that knew him to be the heir, and said, Come let us kill him, Mat. 21.38. And for such as those, there remains no more sacrifice. It was Davids prayer, Psal. 57.5. Be not merciful to any malicious offenders, that transgress without a cause, Psal. 25.5.

Ʋse 2. To teach all that would live long and see good dayes, to take heed of opposing and maligning the known truth. Many have conceived that this sin hath hardly been found in the world, except in Julian the Apostate, and such open enemies of Christ; I wish it were so rare, but are there not too many in the world, that have been enlightned and convinced of the truth of God, that those are the wayes and servants of God, and yet rise up against them with open spight and disdain, and persecute them with malice and scorn? Is not this sin found too often in the Church? Many indeed of our Saviours persecuters did it out of ignorance, and our Saviours prayer was effectuall for them, Father forgive them, they know not what they doe: But there were of them that knew him to be the heir, and said, Come let us kill him, Mat. 21.38. And for such as those, there remains no more sacrifice. It was Davids prayer, Psal. 57.5. Be not mercifull to any malicious offenders, that transgresse without a cause, Psal. 25.5.

Use 3. It may teach all the servants of God to strengthen themselves against this sin, and to use all good preservatives against this sin unto death.

Ʋse 3. It may teach all the servants of God to strengthen themselves against this sin, and to use all good preservatives against this sin unto death.

1. Keep constant fellowship with Gods servants, and forsake them not, for that is the rise of the sin, Heb. 10.25. As long as God keeps in thy heart a love to Gods people, and a reverent esteem of his grace, its impossible thou should fall into this sin.

2. Be diligent to add one grace to another, for so thou shalt make thy calling and election sure, and shalt never fail, 2 Pet. 1.5, 10. Psal. 73.27, 28.

2. Be diligent to adde one grace to another, for so thou shalt make thy calling and election sure, and shalt never fail, 2 Pet. 1.5, 10. Psal. 73.27, 28.

3. Deck thy heart with an humble and awful respect towards God and his ways, Prov. 28.14. Jer. 32.40.

3. Deck thy heart with an humble and awefull respect towards God and his wayes, Prov. 28.14. Jer. 32.40.

4. Take heed of turning aside to crooked ways, Psal. 125.4, 5. One sin will draw another. Heb. 12.13. Make straight steps to your feet, lest that which ⟨p. 428⟩is same be turned out of the way. Sauls once straining his conscience, brake the back of his profession.

4. Take heed of turning aside to crooked wayes, Psal. 125.4, 5. One sin will draw another. Heb. 12.13. Make straight steps to your feet, lest that which ⟨p. 428⟩is same be turned out of the way. Sauls once straining his conscience, brake the back of his profession.

Use 4. To such as fear they have committed this sin, which is the case of two sorts of Christians.

Ʋse 4. To such as fear they have commited this sin, which is the case of two sorts of Christians.

1. Of such who having found much enlargement, after fall into deadness, and slack-heartednesse, and all is damped, and therefore they fear they have sinned against the holy Ghost.

1. Of such who having found much inlargement, after fall into deadnesse, and slack-heartednesse, and all is dampt, and therefore they fear they have sinned against the holy Ghost.

2. It is the case of such as have sinned against their consciences.