A Body of Practical Divinity

3. They abuse Gods Word, and take his Name in vain, that bring Scripture to countenance any Sin. The Word which was written for the suppressing of Sin, some bring it for the defending of Sin. For instance, First, If we tell a Covetous Man of his Sin, that Covetousness is Idolatry, he will bring Scripture to maintain his Sin: Hath not God bid me live in a Calling? Six Days shalt thou Labour. Hath not God said, that He who provides not for his Family, is worse than an Infidel? Thus he goes to support his Covetousness with Scripture. Resp. It is true, God hath bid thee take pains in a Calling, but not hurt thy Neighbour; he hath bid thee provide for thy Family, but not by oppression, Lev. 25.14. Ye shall not Oppress one another. He hath bid thee look after a Livelihood, but not with the neglect of thy Soul: He hath bid thee lay up thy Treasure in Heaven, Mat. 6.20. He hath commanded thee to lay out, as well as lay up; to sow Seeds of Charity on the Backs and Bellies of the Poor, which perhaps thou neglectest. So that to bring Scripture to uphold thee in thy Sin, is an high profaning of Scripture, and a taking of Gods Name in vain. Second Instance, if we tell a Man of his inordinate Passions, that he may be Drunk as well with rash Anger as Wine; he will bring Scripture to justify it: Doth not the Word say, Be Angry and Sin not, Ephes. 4.26. 'Tis true, that Anger is good, which is mixed with Zeal; then Anger is without Sin, when it is against Sin. But thou dost Sin in thy Anger, thou speakest unadvisedly with thy Lips, thy Tongue is set on Fire of Hell, and to bring Scripture to defend thy Sin, is to profane Scripture, and to take Gods Name in vain.

3. They abuse Gods Word, and take his Name in vain, that bring Scripture to countenance any Sin. The Word which was written for the suppressing of Sin, some bring it for the defending of Sin. For instance, First, If we tell a Covetous Man of his Sin, that Covetousness is Idolatry, he will bring Scripture to maintain his Sin: Hath not God bid me live in a Calling? Six Days shalt thou Labour. Hath not God said, that He who provides not for his Family, is worse than an Infidel? Thus he goes to support his Covetousness with Scripture. Resp. It is true, God hath bid thee take pains in a Calling, but not hurt thy Neighbour; he hath bid thee provide for thy Family, but not by oppression,