A Body of Practical Divinity

Thirdly, It is accompanied with Impudency. Fear and Shame are banished, the Veil of Modesty is laid aside. Zeph. 3.5. The Unjust knoweth no shame. Judas knew Christ was the Messiah, he was convinced of it by an Oracle from Heaven, and by the Miracles he wrought, and yet he impudently goes on in his Treason; nay, when Christ said, He that dips his Hand with me in the Dish, he shall betray me. And Judas knew Christ meant him: And when Judas was going about his Treason, Christ pronounced a Woe to him, Luke 22.22. yet for all that he proceeded in his Treason. Thus to sin presumptuously, against an enlightened Conscience, dies the Sin of a crimson Colour, and makes it greater than other Sins.

Thirdly, It is accompanied with Impudency. Fear and Shame are banished, the Vail of Modesty is laid aside. Zeph. 3.5. The Vnjust knoweth no shame. Iudas knew Christ was the Messiah, he was convinced of it by an Oracle from Heaven, and by the Miracles he wrought, and yet he impudently goes on in his Treason; nay, when Christ said, He that dips his Hand with me in the Dish, he shall betray me. And Iudas knew Christ meant him: And when Iudas was going about his Treason, Christ pronounced a Wo to him, Luke 22.22. yet for all that he proceeded in his Treason. Thus to sin presumptuously, against an enlightned Conscience, dies the Sin of a crimson Colour, and makes it greater than other Sins.

(3.) Such Sins are more heinous than others, which are Sins of Continuance. The continuing of Sin is the enhancing of Sin. He who plots Treason, makes himself a greater Offender. Some Men's Heads are the Devil's Mint-house, they are minting of Mischief. Rom. 1.30. Inventers of evil things. Some invent new Oaths, others new Snares: Such were those Presidents that invented a Decree against Daniel, and got the King to sign it,