Sure, if we compare the evil of what is so substantially in itself, and what is so circumstantially, only by the adherence of some undue modus, or manner; it cannot be hard to determine which is the greater, and more dreadful evil. As to the present case, shouldst thou, when the great God sends abroad his Proclamation of pardon and peace, refuse to attend it; to consider the contents of it, and thy own case in reference thereto; and there upon to sue to him for the life of thy own soul. Dost thou not plainly see thy refusal must needs be more provoking then thy defective performance. This speaks disability, but that rebellion, and contempt*. Besides, dost thou not see that thy objection lies as much against every other action of thy life; the wise man tells us, the ploughing of the wicked is sin, (i• that be literally to be understood.2) And ⟨p. 280⟩what wouldst thou therefore sit still and do nothing; Then how soon would that Idleness draw on gross wickedness? and would not that be a dreadful confutation of thy self, if thou who didst pretend a scruple, that thou mightest not pray, read, hear, meditate, shalt not scruple to play the glutton, the drunkard, the wanton, and indulge thy self in all riot, and excess. Yea, if thou do not break out into such exorbitances, would any one think him serious, that should say it were against his Conscience to be working out his salvation, and striving to enter in at the strait gate. Seeking first the Kingdom of God, &c. would not this sound strangely? and especially that, in the mean time, it should never be against his Conscience, to trifle away his time, and live in perpetual neglects of God, in persevering Atheism, Infidelity, Hardness of heart, never regretted or striving against; as if these were more innocent?
Sure, if we compare the evil of what is so substantially in itself, and what is so circumstantially, onely by the adherence of some undue modus, or manner; it cannot be hard to determine which is the greater, and more dreadful evil. As to the present case, shouldst thou, when the great God sends abroad his Proclamation of pardon and peace, refuse to attend it; to consider the contents of it, and thy own case in reference thereto; and there upon to sue to him for the life of thy own soul. Dost thou not plainly see thy refusal must needs be more provoking then thy defective performance. This speaks disability, but that rebellion, and contempt*. Besides, dost thou not see that thy objection lies as much against every other action of thy life; the wise man tells us, the ploughing of the wicked is sin, (i• that be literally to be understood.2) And ⟨p. 280⟩what would'st thou therefore sit still and do nothing; Then how soon would that Idleness draw on gross wickedness? and would not that be a dreadful confutation of thy self, if thou who didst pretend a scruple, that thou mightest not pray, read, hear, meditate, shalt not scruple to play the glutton, the drunkard, the wanton, and indulge thy self in all riot, and excess. Yea, if thou do not break out into such exorbitances, would any one think him serious, that should say it were against his Conscience to be working out his salvation, and striving to enter in at the strait gate. Seeking first the Kingdom of God, &c. would not this sound strangely? and especially that, in the mean time, it should never be against his Conscience, to trifle away his time, and live in perpetual neglects of God, in persevering Atheism, Infidelity, Hardness of heart, never regretted or striving against; as if these were more innocent?
- *Therefore as to that form of expression [that such acts of unregenerate men are sins] that is a Catechrestical piece of Rhetoric which being so understood, is harmless, but to use it in property of speech, and thence to go about to make men believe that it's a sin to do their duty, is void both of truth & sense, and full of danger unto the souls of men.Therefore as to that form of expression [that such acts of unregenerate men are sins] that is a Catechrestical piece of Rhetorick which being so understood, is harmless, but to use it in property of speech, and thence to go about to make men believe that it's a sin to do their duty, is void both of truth & sense, and full of danger unto the souls of men.
- 2Prov. 21. 4.
