3. Gross sins of Commission are more directly contrary to the very light of Nature. Indeed it is against the light of Nature not to feed the Hungry, and clothe the Naked, and help the Distressed; but it's much more against the light of Nature to oppress the Poor and Needy, and slay the Widow and Fatherless. Because natural light is much more disturbed by gross Commissions than by bare Neglects; it appears, that those are more against a natural Conscience than these. We read, that the natural light of the Heathen did discover the sinfulness of their Commission, and condemn them for them, Rom, 1. […]lt. And that the Barbarians, by the lig•• of Nature, could discover the evil of Murder, ⟨p. 202⟩and how Vengeance, like a Blood-Hound, did pursue the violent man, to take and slay him, Act. 28.4. Now that which so directly opposeth not only Scripture, but Nature, and that which a man will do (as it were) violence to his own Conscience that he may commit, must unquestionably be dreadful, and out of measure sinful. As the Apostle saith, To him that knoweth to do good, and doth it not, to him it is sin, James 4.17. ult. So say I to him that knoweth he should not do these evils, and doth them, to him they are sins, i. e. a wickedness with a witness. They have more of enmity against God, and contempt of his Mind, and have sadder marks of Divine Vengeance. But what sins are more against knowledge, than those that are not only committed in spite of Scripture, but also of Nature it self. No Vinegar so sharp, as that which is made of the sharpest Wine. He that knoweth his Masters Will, and doth it not, shall be beaten with many stripes. He that knoweth his Masters Will, is, that he should forbear such sins, and yet commits them, shall be beaten with many stripes, Luke 12.
3. Gross sins of Commission are more directly contrary to the very light of Nature. Indeed it is against the light of Nature not to feed the Hungry, and cloath the Naked, and help the Distressed; but it's much more against the light of Nature to oppress the Poor and Needy, and slay the Widow and Fatherless. Because natural light is much more disturbed by gross Commissions than by bare Neglects; it appears, that those are more against a natural Conscience than these. We read, that the natural light of the Heathen did discover the sinfulness of their Commission, and condemn them for them, Rom, 1. 〈…〉lt. And that the Barbarians, by the lig•• of Nature, could discover the evil of Murder, ⟨p. 202⟩and how Vengeance, like a Blood-Hound, did pursue the violent man, to take and slay him, Act. 28.4. Now that which so directly opposeth not only Scripture, but Nature, and that which a man will do (as it were) violence to his own Conscience that he may commit, must unquestionably be dreadful, and out of measure sinful. As the Apostle saith, To him that knoweth to do good, and doth it not, to him it is sin, James 4.17. ult. So say I to him that knoweth he should not do these evils, and doth them, to him they are sins, i. e. a wickedness with a witness. They have more of enmity against God, and contempt of his Mind, and have sadder marks of Divine Vengeance. But what sins are more against knowledge, than those that are not only committed in spight of Scripture, but also of Nature it self. No Vinegar so sharp, as that which is made of the sharpest Wine. He that knoweth his Masters Will, and doth it not, shall be beaten with many stripes. He that knoweth his Masters Will, is, that he should forbear such sins, and yet commits them, shall be beaten with many stripes, Luke 12.
