A64834:535
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.
They that have been religious betimes, are greatly famed and honoured in and by the Scripture-Records: God is taken with, and remembers the kindness of their youth, Jer. 2.2. Abel, though dead, is yet spoken of with an honourable testimony, even that of God himself, for serving God so young and so well, Heb. 11.4. Joseph was very early religious; so was Samuel: Jeroboam's little Son is not to be forgotten, for God hath honoured him. King Josiah, Daniel, and the three Children (or young men of Israel) are all enrolled in the Court of Honour and Heaven: And in the New Testament St. John is called the Disciple whom Jesus loved, his Bosom-favourite and Darling, and the reason usually given is, because he came to Christ, and became his Disciple, while yet very young: 'tis the command of Timothy, that he knew the Scriptures from a Child, 2 Tim. 3.15. Many Parents are afraid to have serious and divine things taught their children, lest it make them melancholy and dispirit them; but, is there any thing better to fit them for service to God o• man, then Religion? or any spirit comparable to that true greatness and gallantry of spirit which is in being afraid to sin? We should teach children moral and religious courage and bravery, which is more in fearing to sin then t• dye; and to make Moses his choice, to prefer th• reproaches of Christ before the treasures an• pleasures of this world: and this way are the• ⟨p. 263⟩like to attain better names and greater estates, to enjoy more pleasure and preferment, then any this world can confer upon them. They are best bred, who are taught to love and serve God best; and they attain most honour, who honour God, for them will God himself honour. I speak not in derogation of any thing that's civil, handsome, and gentile, but would press to more, to what's commendable to God, and in his sight of great price, to remember him in the days of youth. For evil days are a coming, sickness, old age, death is approaching, the Judge is at the door; and certainly that's best while we are young, that will be best when we are old and dye; and that can be worth very little at the beginning, which will be worth nothing at the end of our days: The sins of youth will lye heavy upon an old age; yea, if God give repentance to thee when thou art old, 'twill cost thee the dearer, that thou didst repent no sooner;