Oh that men would consider this sin, and that the consideration of it could humble peoples hearts. If any mourn for sin, it is for the most part ⟨p. 45⟩for other foul actual sins, few for this sin, that first made the breach and began the controversy betwixt God and man. Next unto the sin against the Holy Ghost, and contempt of the Gospel,1 this is the greatest sin that crieth loudest in Gods ears for vengeance day and night against a world of men. For now mens sins are against God in their base and low estates; but this sin was committed against Jehovah, when man was at the top of his preferment. Rebellion of a Traitor on a dunghill is not so great as of a Favourite in the Court. Little sins against light are made horrible: no sin by any man committed was ever against so much light as Adam had. This sin was the first that ever displeased God. Drunkenness deprives God of the glory of sobriety; whoring of Chastity, but this sin darkens the very Sun, defaces all the Image of GOD, the glory of man, and the glory of GOD in man; this is the first sin that ever did thee a mischief. This sin like a great Captain hath ⟨p. 46⟩gathered together all those troops and swarms of sins that now take hold upon thee. Thank this sin for an hard heart, thou so much complainest of: thank this sin for that hellish darkness that overspreads thee. This hath raised Satan, Death, Judgement, Hell and Heaven against thee.
Oh that men would consider this sinne, and that the consideration of it could humble peoples hearts. If any mourne for sinne, it is for the most part ⟨p. 45⟩for other foule actuall sinnes, few for this sinne, that first made the breach and began the controversie betwixt God and man. Next unto the sinne against the Holy Ghost, and contempt of the Gospell,1 this is the greatest sinne that cryeth lowdest in Gods eares for vengeance day and night against a world of men. For now mens sinnes are against God in their base and low estates; but this sinne was committed against Iehovah, when man was at the top of his preferment. Rebellion of a Traytor on a dunghill is not so great as of a Favorite in the Court. Little sinnes against light are made horrible: no sinne by any man committed was ever against so much light as Adam had. This sin was the first that ever displeased God. Drunkennesse deprives God of the glory of sobriety; whoring of Chastity, but this sinne darkens the very Sunne, defaces all the Image of GOD, the glory of man, and the glory of GOD in man; this is the first sin that ever did thee a mischiefe. This sinne like a great Captaine hath ⟨p. 46⟩gathered together all those troops and swarmes of sins that now take hold upon thee. Thanke this sinne for an hard heart, thou so much complainest of: thank this sinne for that hellish darkenesse that overspreads thee. This hath raised Satan, Death, Judgement, Hell and Heaven against thee.
- 1The horrible nature of the first sin.
