A44684:156
Of charity in reference to other mens sins
Of charity in reference to other mens sins by John Howe ...
London: printed for Tho. Parkhurst, 1681
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.
2. On your own. For when our Saviour saith, Woe to that man, by whom offence cometh, doth he not also say, Woe to the world because of offences? And who would not fear, and lament his share in that Woe? ⟨p. 54⟩Are you proof against all hurt by another's sin? What if it encourage you to sin too? What if harden you in it? How many do some mens sin dispose to Atheism? and to think there is nothing in Religion? And if you felt in your selves an inclination to rejoice in them, that, it self, argues the infection hath caught upon you; seized your spirits, and corrupted your vitals. So that you have cause to lament even your having rejoiced. To be afflicted, and mourn, and weep; to turn your laughter to mourning, and your joy to heaviness, Jam. 4.
2. On your own. For when our Saviour saith, Wo to that man, by whom offence cometh, doth he not also say, Wo to the world because of offences? And who would not fear, and lament his share in that Wo? ⟨p. 54⟩Are you proof against all hurt by another's sin? What if it encourage you to sin too? What if harden you in it? How many do some mens sin dispose to Atheism? and to think there is nothing in Religion? And if you felt in your selves an inclination to rejoyce in them, that, it self, argues the infection hath caught upon you; seiz'd your spirits, and corrupted your vitals. So that you have cause to lament even your having rejoyced. To be afficted, and mourn, and weep; to turn your laughter to mourning, and your joy to heaviness, Jam. 4.
One would think them indeed but half men, and scarce any Christians, that can allow themselves so inhumane, and unhallowed a pleasure, as rejoicing in another's sin! 'Tis very unworthy of a man to take pleasure in seeing his fellow man turning beast. There is little in it of the ingenuity that belongs to humane nature, to delight in the harms of others; much less of the prudence, to make sport of a common mischief. And would a Christian rejoice in the disadvantages of his own cause? and in the dishonour and