A64834:322
Sin, the Plague of Plagues
Sin, the plague of plagues, or, Sinful sin the worst of evils a treatise of sins trial and arraignment, wherein sin is accused for being, proved to be, and condemned for being exceeding sinful : and that 1. as against God, his nature, attributes, works, will, law, image, people, glory and existence, 2. as against man, his good and welfare of body and soul, in this life, and that to come : with the use and improvement to be made of this doctrine, that men may not be damned, but saved, &c. : being the substance of many sermons preached many years ago in Southwark / by Ralph Venning ...Sin, the plague of plagues, or, Sinful sin the worst of evils a treatise of sins tryal and arraignment, wherein sin is accused for being, proved to be, and condemned for being exceeding sinful : and that 1. as against God, his nature, attributes, works, will, law, image, people, glory and existence, 2. as against man, his good and welfare of body and soul, in this life, and that to come : with the use and improvement to be made of this doctrine, that men may not be damned, but saved, &c. : being the substance of many sermons preached many years ago in Southwark / by Ralph Venning ...
London: printed for John Hancock, 1669
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
Sinners are ashamed of sin: 1 When before they commit it. 2 After they have committed it.
Sinners are asham'd of sin: 1 When before they commit it. 2 After they have committed it.
1 Sinners are ashamed of sin before, and think it an ugly thing when they commit it: For 1. though they are so daring and impudent as to sin, yet they have not the courage to consider what 'tis they are going about, or at least to speak one what they think concerning sin; they know that when they sin their conscience will accuse them, and they shall find regrets which they are loath to feel, much more to utter and declare; therefore they dare not ask themselves what 'tis they are about to do, or are a doing, to catechize themselves, and say, is there not a lye in (or at) my right hand? Is. 44. It argues that men are afraid they shall find what they have no mind to meet with, when they are loath to entertain themselves with a few forethoughts concerning it, but rush like horses into the battle: The Scripture speaks, as if 'twere impossible for men to be so wicked, if they were but considerative, without which they act not like men: if they think of it, and yet sin, they care not, dare not speak out their thoughts, but had rather conceal their shame and pain, as well as they can, then tell any body what fools they have been, and how foolishly they have done: If sin had any thing of Noble or Honourable in it, why do they not proclaim its virtues, and thereby their own in loving it? If they think it good, why do they call it by its name? if they think it evil, why do they but think it so? 'tis only because they are ashamed on't, that any body should know what they think, as Psa. 14.1. ⟨p. 146⟩the fool hath said in his heart, there is no God: It seems he had not the hardiness nor heart to say it with his mouth; he whispered, and muttered, or wished, but was loath to be heard: their speaking thus within speaks out this, that they are ashamed of what they think, and dare not utter it.