A Body of Practical Divinity

Quest. Are all the Transgressions of the Law equally heinous?

Answ. Some Sins in themselves, and by reason of several Aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others.

Answ. Some Sins in themselves, and by reason of several Aggravations, are more hainous in the sight of God than others.

John 19.11. He that delivered me unto thee hath the Greater Sin. The Stoic Philosophers held, that all Sins were equal. But this Scripture clearly holds forth, that there is a gradual difference in Sin: Some are greater than others: Some are mighty Sins, Amos 5.12. And crying Sins, Gen. 18.21. Every Sin hath a Voice to speak, but some Sins cry. As some Diseases are worse than others, and some poisons more venomous; so some Sins are more heinous, Ezek. 16.47. Jer. 16.12. You have done worse than your Fathers, your Sins have exceeded theirs. Some Sins have a blacker Aspect than others. To clip the King's Coin is Treason, but to strike his Person is an higher degree of Treason. A vain Thought is a Sin, but a blasphemous Word is a greater Sin. That some Sins are greater than others, appears, (1.) Because there was difference in the Offerings under the Law. The Sin-offering was greater than the Trespass-Offering. (2.) Because some Sins are not capable of Pardon as others are, therefore they must needs he more heinous, as the Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost,