A77976:535
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.
Corollaries and Consequences from all the former Particulars. › Chapter 52
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.
Six Differences between Melancholy and Trouble of Conscience. Diff. 1. Melancholy may be in those that are most grossly ignorant; but trouble of conscience cometh with some enlightening work. Diff. 2. Melancholy prevails on men by degrees, but trouble of Conscience many times comes suddenly, as lightning. Diff. 3. Melancholy trouble is exceeding confused, but troubles of Conscience are more distinct. Diff. 4. The more melancholy any hath, the less able are they to bear outward affliction; but the more trouble of Conscience, the more able to bear outward afflictions. Diff. 5. Melancholy puts a dullness upon the spirits of men, but trouble of Conscience for sin puts a mighty activity upon mens spirits. Diff. 6. Trouble of Conscience cannot be cured the ways melancholy may.
Six Differences between Melancholly and Trouble of Conscience. Diff. 1. Melancholly may be in those that are most grosly ignorant; but trouble of conscience cometh with some enlightening work. Diff. 2. Melancholly prevails on men by degrees, but trouble of Conscience many times comes suddenly, as lightning. Diff. 3. Melancholly trouble is exceeding confused, but troubles of Conscience are more distinct. Diff. 4. The more melancholly any hath, the less able are they to bear outward affliction; but the more trouble of Conscience, the more able to bear outward afflictions. Diff. 5. Melancholly puts a dulness upon the spirits of men, but trouble of Conscience for sin puts a mighty activity upon mens spirits. Diff. 6. Trouble of Conscience cannot be cured the waies melancholly may.
First, Melancholy, it is many times in men and women where there is most gross Ignorance of God, and of Sin, and of the things of their Eternal Estate; it may consist with gross ignorance: Many melancholy people are most ignorant and sottish, and know nothing of the Principles of Religion: but troubles of Conscience can never come without some new Light of God darted in, and settled upon the hearts of men and ⟨p. 415⟩women; it comes always with some enlightening work of the Spirit. Melancholy is many times with a great deal of darkness within; the mind is dark where melancholy prevails, and many times gross ignorance; but never any true trouble of Conscience, but God comes in with some light. And therefore if any man or woman be troubled, and say it is for sin, I put this to you; What hath God discovered to you now, more than before? What Truths of God hath God settled upon their hearts more than before? If they can give no further account of no other light let into them, than before, or further Truth let in upon their hearts than before; then indeed it may be suspected not to be trouble for sin; as many melancholy people have the name of being troubled for sin, and they have fears of Hell, because of dark thoughts: But 'tis not the true work of the Spirit upon the Soul, except it be with convincement of some new Light, or settling some Truth more upon the Soul than before.