For Answer (premitting this one word, that in comp •ring breaches of the commands of the two Tables, we would compare sins of a like nature together, that is, sins of presumption with sins of presumption, and sins of infirmity with sins of infirmity) we say, that a presumptuous sin against the fourth Command, if it were but to go unnecessarily to the door, or to gather sticks, is a greater sin then a presumptuous murder, because it s triketh more immediately against God: And that a sin of infirmity against the fourth command, is greater then a sin of Infirmity against the sixth: Yet we grant that presumptuous Murder is a greater sin then a sin of infirmity against the fourth command, because presumption and high handedness in the manner of sinning, in a sin little on the matter comparatively, dareth God, as it were, and striketh immediately against him, and so is an additional high aggravation of it; beside what it is in the nature of it: And though our censures against presumptuous breaches of the Sabbath, which are now as great sins as formerly (as is clear from what is just now said) be often more mitigated now under the Gospel, neither was it as we conceive, ordinary to stone the presumptuous prophaneners of the Sabbath, even amongst the Jews; yet vvill this be no good reasoning; men do not now execute punishments upon Transgressors of the first Table as on Transgressors of the second, therefore Transgressions of the second Table are greater sins then Transgressions of the commands of the first; for so we would be in hazard to postpone all the Laws or Commands of the first Table to these of the second; but we are to consider ⟨p. 304⟩that temporal punishments are heightened or lessened according as the peace and order of civil Societies may be more or less therein concerned, so that it is not by these measures that we are to make the estimate of the greatness or smallness of sins in the sight of God, and in order to his righteous and absolute judgments, and therefore it's enough that we enquire what God hath done, and vvill do, and what sinners may expect from him; however men may over-look and pass them by, yet before God they are often taken notice of, and plagued even in this life, and vvill be for ever hereafter, if they repent not.
For Answer (premitting this one word, that in comp •ring breaches of the commands of the two Tables, vve vvould compare sins of a like nature together, that is, sins of presumption vvith sins of presumption, and sins of infirmity vvith sins of infirmity) vve say, that a presumptuous sin against the fourth Command, if it vvere but to go unnecessarily to the door, or to gather sticks, is a greater sin then a presumptuous murther, because it s •riketh more immediately against God: And that a sin of infirmity against the fourth command, is greater then a sin of Infirmity against the sixth: Yet we grant that presumptuous Murther is a greater sin then a sin of infirmity against the fourth command, because presumption and high handedness in the manner of sinning, in a sin little on the matter comparatively, dareth God, as it were, and striketh immediately against him, and so is an additional high aggravation of it; beside vvhat it is in the nature of it: And though our censures against presumptuous breaches of the Sabbath, which are now as great sins as formerly (as is clear from what is just now said) be often more mitigated now under the Gospel, neither vvas it as vve conceive, ordinary to stone the presumptuous prophaneners of the Sabbath, even amongst the Jews; yet vvill this be no good reasoning; men do not now execute punishments upon Transgressours of the first Table as on Transgressours of the second, therefore Transgressions of the second Table are greater sins then Transgressions of the commands of the first; for so vve vvould be in hazard to postpone all the Lavvs or Commands of the first Table to these of the second; but vve are to consider ⟨p. 304⟩that temporal punishments are heightened or lessened according as the peace and order of civil Societies may be more or less therein concerned, so that it is not by these measures that we are to make the estimate of the greatness or smalness of sins in the sight of God, and in order to his righteous and absolute judgments, and therefore it's enough that vve enquire vvhat God hath done, and vvill do, and vvhat sinners may expect from him; hovvever men may over-look and pass them by, yet before God they are often taken notice of, and plagued even in this life, and vvill be for ever •ereafter, if they repent not.
