A77976:447
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.
but when they break bounds, then they be no more Natural: But he applies it to sinful desires ⟨p. 352⟩(for he knew no better than desires at the highest, as they had some Naturalness in them) and saith he, speaking of sinful desires so long as you keep your desires in certain bounds, they be Natural and good, but when once you let them out beyond bounds, they be no more Natural. We may very well apply it to speak of the Work of Nature, and the Work of Grace: Would you know whether the ground of your desires, or work, be Natural, or Supernatural? You may know them by this, If you propound limits, thus far you will go; this certainly is a Natural work: But when the heart lets out it self to God without any limits or bounds; this is a Supernatural work. So you dislike sin, and Oh you would not commit it; but this is the Question, Whether your dislike or hatred be Natural or Supernatural? If Natural, then there be some limits and bounds you propound, that is, you will not commit such gross sins, and live in such open sins; and upon such and such grounds, you will abstain from such and such Sins: But if there be a Supernatural work, your hearts are set against all sins with a kind of infiniteness, without any bounds or terms, you will set no bounds to your hatred of any Sin: that man or woman that so hates Sin, as to set no bounds at all unto their hatred, and will admit it upon no terms; this is a Supernatural hatred. Many are against Sin Naturally; but in that true hatred, it is so boundless, that there must be no bounds set to your hatred: it evidently shows Sin to have a kind of infiniteness of evil in it.
but when they break bounds, then they be no more Natural: But he applies it to sinful desires ⟨p. 352⟩(for he knew no better than desires at the highest, as they had some Naturalness in them) and saith he, speaking of sinful desires so long as you keep your desires in certain bounds, they be Natural and good, but when once you let them out beyond bounds, they be no more Natural. We may very well applie it to speak of the Work of Nature, and the Work of Grace: Would you know whether the ground of your desires, or work, be Natural, or Supernatural? You may know them by this, If you propound limits, thus far you will go; this certainlie is a Natural work: But when the heart lets out it self to God without any limits or bounds; this is a Supernatural work. So you dislike sin, and Oh you would not commit it; but this is the Question, Whether your dislike or hatred be Natural or Supernatural? If Natural, then there be some limits and bounds you propound, that is, you will not commit such gross sins, and live in such open sins; and upon such and such grounds, you will abstain from such and such Sins: But if there be a Supernatural work, your hearts are set against all sins with a kind of infiniteness, without anie bounds or terms, you will set no bounds to your hatred of anie Sin: that man or woman that so hates Sin, as to set no bounds at all unto their hatred, and will admit it upon no terms; this is a Supernatural hatred. Manie are against Sin Naturally; but in that true hatred, it is so boundless, that there must be no bounds set to your hatred: it evidentlie shews Sin to have a kind of infinitness of evil in it.