The mischief of sin it brings a person low / publishedThe mischief of sinne it brings a person low / published

8. If sin brings one low, see what an imprudent choice they make,¹ who commit sin to avoid trouble. ⟨p. 85⟩Job 36.21. Take heed, regard not iniquity, for this hast thou chosen rather than affliction. This was a false charge against Job, but many may be indicted of such folly; they choose iniquity, rather than affliction. To avoid poverty, they will lye and cozen, to avoid a Prison, they will comply against their conscience. What imprudence is this, when sin draws such dark shadows after it, and entails misery upon all its heirs and successors. By committing sin, to avoid trouble, we meet with greater trouble. Origen to save himself from suffering, sprinkled Incense before the Idol, and being after to preach, as he opened his Bible, he did accidentally light on that Text, Psal. 50.16. But to the wicked God saith, what hast thou to do to declare my Statutes, or that thou shouldst take my Covenant ⟨p. 86⟩in thy mouth; at the sight of which Scripture, he fell into a passion of weeping, and was so stricken with grief and consternation, that he was not able to speak a word to the people, but came down the Pulpit. Spira sinned against his conscience to save his life and estate, he chose iniquity rather than affliction; but what an Hell did he feel in his conscience, he professed he envied Cain, and Judas, as thinking their condition more eligible. His sin did bring him low. O what unparalleled folly is it to choose sin rather than affliction. ^*Affliction is like a rent in the Coat, sin is like a rent in the flesh. He that to save himself from trouble, commits sin, is like one, that to save his Mantle, lets his flesh be torn. Affliction hath a promise made to it, 2 Sam. 22.28. but there is no promise made to sin.^*