A62053:608
The sinners last sentence to eternal punishment, for sins of omission
The sinners last sentence to eternal punishment, for sins of omission wherein is discovered, the nature, causes, and cure of those sins / by Geo. Swinnock.
London: printed for Geo. Swinnock, 1675
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Chapter 47: A fifth cause of sins of Omission. The example of others, with the cure of it.
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.
One great man, as a great Letter in an Indenture (though it signify no more than another small one) hath many small ones following him. The Herodians (some think) were so called from their conforming to Herod in their Religion. And it's judged the Melchites, who lived in the East, were so called from Melech, i. e. of the Kings Religion. The works of great men are more powerful with the ordinary sort, than the the Will and Word of the great God. Again, the example of the multitude is very forcible. Men are carried down ⟨p. 468⟩with the stream both easily and strongly. It is as common to do as the most do in irreligious, as in natural actions. We think our selves in greatest safety, when we are with the most numerous Party. To be singular, is looked upon as ridiculous; and those who are so, are counted proud, conceited, precisians. Men choose rather to be sociable in sin, than singular in sanctity, and to do as the most do, than as the best do. The fewness of Christ's Followers was a stumbling-block to his Enemies, and an offence to his Friends.
One great man, as a great Letter in an Indenture (though it signifie no more than another small one) hath many small ones following him. The Herodians (some think) were so called from their conforming to Herod in their Religion. And it's judged the Melchites, who lived in the East, were so called from Melech, i. e. of the Kings Religion. The works of great men are more powerful with the ordinary sort, than the the Will and Word of the great God. Again, the example of the multitude is very forcible. Men are carried down ⟨p. 468⟩with the stream both easily and strongly. It is as common to do as the most do in irreligious, as in natural actions. We think our selves in greatest safety, when we are with the most numerous Party. To be singular, is lookt upon as ridiculous; and those who are so, are counted proud, conceited, precisians. Men choose rather to be sociable in sin, than singular in sanctity, and to do as the most do, than as the best do. The fewness of Christ's Followers was a stumbling-block to his Enemies, and an offence to his Friends.