A77976:16
The Evil of Evils
The eighth book of Mr Jeremiah Burroughs. Being a treatise of the evil of evils, or the exceeding sinfulness of sin. Wherein is showed, 1 There is more evil in the least sin, than there is in the greatest affliction. 2 Sin is most opposite to God. 3 Sin is most opposite to mans good. 4 Sin is opposite to all good in general. 5 Sin is the poison, or evil of all other evils. 6 Sin hath a kind of infiniteness in it. 7 Sin makes a man conformable to the Devil. All these several heads are branched out into very many particulars. / Published by Thomas Goodwin, William Bridge, Sydrach Simpson, William Adderly, [double brace] William Greenhil, Philip Nigh, John Yates.The eighth book of Mr Jeremiah Burroughs. Being a treatise of the evil of evils, or the exceeding sinfulness of sin. Wherein is shewed, 1 There is more evil in the least sin, than there is in the greatest affliction. 2 Sin is most opposite to God. 3 Sin is most opposite to mans good. 4 Sin is opposite to all good in general. 5 Sin is the poyson, or evil of all other evils. 6 Sin hath a kind of infiniteness in it. 7 Sin makes a man conformable to the Devil. All these several heads are branched out into very many particulars. / Published by Thomas Goodwyn, William Bridge, Sydrach Sympson, William Adderly, [double brace] William Greenhil, Philip Nye, John Yates.
London: printed by Peter Cole, 1654
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
how else could such vile thoughts be cherished, and such cursed practises and principles maintained? how else durst men choose sin rather than ⟨image 6⟩affliction when they are brought into straits? how otherwise are men more afraid of open shame than of secret sins? In a word, how durst men walk without God in the world, at least without secret prayer and communing with their own hearts, days, weeks, months, years together? I am persuaded more souls drop down to Hell in our days under the abuse of Gospel Light, than ever did in the gross darkness of Popery; they then better improved their Talents according to the light afforded, and walked better and more suitably to the light they received; whereas these Gospel truths which now shines more fully and clearly in the faces of so many thousands, are not so much improved in a more circumspect, holy, and humble walking, but rather abused to a more loose and wanton carriage and censorious judging of one another, men sinning the more because grace so much abounds; how could the Saints then love and embrace with singleness of heart? but now the ⟨image 6⟩foundations of love are shaken, and a perverse spirit is mingled amongst us; Oh how heavily doth the wrath of God lie upon the Professors of our Age for the abuse of Gospel light, and they feel it not; Gods Administrations in this latter Age of the World, being more subtle and Spiritual, and therefore more undiscernible than in former Ages: Oh how many have we now adays, who think they walk clearly in the midst of Gospel Light, magnifying and exalting free Grace, triumphing in their Christian liberty, looking upon others as kept in bondage, who come not up to their pitch and practice, and yet are no better than Solomons fools, who make a mock of sin, being conceitedly set at liberty, but really sin and Satan's bond slaves: Certainly, till mens consciences be made tender and fearful of the least touches and appearances of evil, they have good cause to suspect, not only the strength, but the soundness of their hearts in Grace: Whilst men are bold with sin, ⟨image 7⟩and can put it off at an easy rate of sorrow, let their attainments seem never so high in understanding the Mysteries of the Gospel, they never yet knew truly what it is to exalt Christ and free Grace, for look in what measure we slight Sin, in the same measure we slight God himself in his Persons and Attributes;