A64834:657
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.
Thus am I at last come to the Close and Conclusion of the whole matter, 1and I could wish with my soul, that there may never be an occasion for me, or any other, to preach on this subject any more; shall I now entreat you to consider of what hath been said, and to bethink you what an ugly and abominable thing sin is? The worst of Evils, worse then the worst of words can express it to be. I have shown you how contrary 'tis to God and man; for proof whereof I have brought witness from Heaven, Earth, and Hell: I have shown you how dear it cost Christ Jesus who dyed for it, and how dear ⟨p. 349⟩it will cost you, if you live and dye in it. Stand in awe and sin not; lay up the Word of Gods Command, Promise, and Threatening, that you may not sin against him: take heed of sinning, for at once you sin against God and your own souls. I have entered your closets and your hearts, to tell you of your secret sins; I have told you of, and warned you against the sins of your lips, and of your life; I have told you of your Shop and Calling-sins, that you might beware: and what shall I say or do more for you? I have preached to you, prayed, and wept for you; I have shown you the way of repentance, faith, and holiness; and were it to dye for you, I hope I should not account my life dear to me, that I might save your souls by losing it. Oh, let me again entreat, beseech, and beg you for Gods sake and your souls sake not to sin (these things are written, that ye sin not) but as 'tis, Jer. 13.15, 16, 17. Hear ye, and give ear, be not proud, for the Lord hath spoken, give glory to the Lord God, &c. But if ye will not hear, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride, and mine eyes shall weep sore, and run down with tears. If you hear not, you make this sad work for me, and others that teach you, but (alas!) much sadder for your selves; you make us weep on earth, but you (if you repent not) will weep in Hell. I beseech you therefore, learn what the grace (the saving grace) of God teacheth you, to deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts, to live soberly, righteously, and godlily in this present world, Titus 2.11, 12. or as 'tis in