A35537:1133
An exposition with practical observations continued upon the thirty-fifth, thirty-sixth, and thirty-seventh chapters of…
An exposition with practical observations continued upon the thirty-fifth, thirty-sixth, and thirty-seventh chapters of the book of Job being the substance of thirty-five lectures / by Joseph Caryl ...
London: printed by M. Simmons, 1664
AN EXPOSITION WITH Practical Observations UPON The Thirty-fifth, Th… › Chapter 36 › Verse 21
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.
First, Sin is evil in it self, and that which is (malum in se) evil in it self, or evil it self, is not the object of choice; no man is to choose evil, nor properly can choose it.
Secondly, Choose not sin, for sin is an evil forbidden, the Law is against it, and the Gospel too.
Thirdly, Choose not sin, for sin is a dishonour to God, and we should rather choose to die than dishonour •od.
Fourthly, Choose not sin, for it brings destruction upon man. ⟨p. 325⟩Sin strictly and abstractly considered cannot properly be chosen. A rational creature cannot choose sin properly, because sin is evil; and election being the office of the Will, whose adequate object is good, sin, strictly taken, cannot be chosen. But sin is often chosen, and 'tis the choice of most men, they choose iniquity rather than affliction; iniquity is the choice and the beloved of many a mans soul. But how? It is under the pretence of something that is good; no man can choose it as 'tis evil. For though some love sin and choose sin for sins sake (such come up highest and nearest to the frame of the devil, as they that do good for goods sake come nearest to the holy Angels) yet, I say, sin is always chosen under some consideration or shadow of good; and if any man choose to sin without respect to profit or gain, yet he hath some good in his eye, namely to please himself, he would have his will, and will not let God have his will; and this is good to him who is stark naught. But usually sin is chosen upon one of these three accounts.