A64834:618
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.
SIN, THE PLAGUE of PLAGUES; OR Sinful Sin the worst of Evils. › 2. Take heed of sins of Commission.
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.
4. Take heed of counterfeit and false Lights; alas, one can hardly see day by day in many mens shops, they either shut out the light, or let it in, one scarce sees how: men may seek for light at noon-day. Men have learnt to draw up or let down so much by the Ell or by the Yard, that people can scarce see what they look upon with their eyes: That which seemed very fine and fair by a false light, is found far otherwise by a true one. Now by the same reason that weights are, lights are an abomination to the Lord, viz. because they are false and deceitful. If you tell me, 'tis the custom of the City and all the world, I ask you, whether that will answer God, and make it no sin?
5. Take heed of breaking Bargains and Covenants, when you perceive you can buy cheaper of, or sell dearer to another: I am almost afraid that this practical kind of Religion is with many like an old Almanac out of date, ⟨p. 324⟩as if Religion were confined to the first Table (some Duties to God) and the second Table (Duties to Man) were of little concern or consequence; when as most frequently in holy Writ the characters of godly men are drawn from their obedience to the second Table-commands, and among the rest this that I am upon is one, Psal. 15.4. he that sweareth, and changeth not, though it be to his loss and detriment: and it ought to hold good in promises as well as oaths, in bargaining as well as swearing; for a man ought to be just, though he have not sworn to be so, but woe to them that promise and swear too, yet are not just, but false and perjured both.
5. Take heed of breaking Bargains and Covenants, when you perceive you can buy cheaper of, or sell dearer to another: I am almost afraid that this practical kind of Religion is with many like an old Almanack out of date, ⟨p. 324⟩as if Religion were confined to the first Table (some Duties to God) and the second Table (Duties to Man) were of little concern or consequence; when as most frequently in holy Writ the characters of godly men are drawn from their obedience to the second Table-commands, and among the rest this that I am upon is one,