Discourses, or, Sermons on several Scriptures

Secondly, They are Fools that make a Mock at their own Sins, so as to think the Commission of ⟨p. 7⟩them a slight and inconsiderable thing.

I shall very briefly speak of the First, and so pass on unto the Second Particular.

First therefore, ¹They are Fools that make a Mock at other Men's Sins, so as to make them a matter of Mirth and Pastime. This indeed is Sport for Devils, all whose Recreation, and Hellish Solace, is the Sin and Wickedness of Men. The Damnation of Souls is the Sport of Hell: And Thou who canst rejoice in their Joy, deservest likewise to howl under their Woes and Torments. We justly condemn it, as a most barbarous and inhumane Custom amongst the ancient Romans, who brought many selected Pairs of miserable Men into their public Theatres, only to delight the Spectators ⟨p. 8⟩with their Blood and Death. But this was an innocent Recreation in comparison of thine, who takest pleasure to see thy poor Brother wounding and stabbing, yea damning his precious Soul. Go laugh at a wretched Man upon the Rack, or upon the Wheel; Laugh at the odd distorted Postures of Epileptics, or the Convulse Motions of Dying and Expiring Men; Sport thy self with their writhed Looks, and antic Shapes of Misery: This is far more civil, more humane, more pious, than to make those Sins thy Mirth, which will be thy Brothers Eternal Woe and Anguish. What thinkest thou? Couldst thou look into Hell, that place of Torment? Couldst thou see there all the Engines of God's Justice, and the Devil's Cruelty, set on work in the eternal