The Evil of Evils

Use IV. IF there be so much evil in Sin, Hence then is justified the strictness and care of the People of God against sin. They be afraid of every sin, they dare not be so bold in the ways of sin as others are, but they tremble; when any sin is presented to them, they be afraid, and tremble; others go on boldly, and presumptuously, and laugh at such as be afraid; Oh such scrupulous Consciences! Oh they dare not do such a thing because 'tis a sin they say! Oh they dare not by any means because they dare not sin: thus others laugh at them, because they think they be more scrupulous than they need be, that should be afraid to do things so little as they think these are. I beseech you observe the perverseness of mens hearts; you shall have them if men offend the Law of man, them that are in Authority, the Commands of men, in things that they themselves will profess to be very little, and small, ⟨p. 449⟩then they will cry out of such its Rebellion, and Rebels against authority, and they are not worthy to live, and they would have the severest punishments that can be, against them that will not obey mans authority in little things: but mark, these men that will so urge small things, and where they be small, the worse the disobedience (say they) in disobeying in small things. Yet these men that seem very Conscientious in such things, when they see men afraid to offend God, that dare not do little things if sinful, dare not speak an idle word, and be sinfully merry as others are, that are afraid of intemperance, and every small thing, (as they think) these men will jeer such; what a horrible Sin is this? What! urge mans Authority in small things, and jeer those that be Conscientious to Gods Authority in small things! What shall the Authority of man put weight upon small things, and not the Authority of the Almighty put weight in small things? Well, whatsoever they think, brethren go on, and make Conscience of small things, and never call any sin little, because you have heard of so much evil in it, go away with this impression of the Evil of Sin on your hearts; Well, by this I have heard of the Evil of Sin, I have learned to account no sin small, though never so little in the eye of the world. Is it a Sin? If so, do thou never admit of it; if it be a sin, abhor it: let this temptation never prevail with thee; What? will you not do this, you may do worse?

Use IV. IF there be so much evil in Sin, Hence then is justified the strictness and care of the People of God against sin. They be afraid of everie sin, they dare not be so bold in the waies of sin as others are, but they tremble; when any sin is presented to them, they be afraid, and tremble; others go on boldly, and presumptuously, and laugh at such as be afraid; Oh such scrupulous Consciences! Oh they dare not do such a thing because 'tis a sin they say! Oh they dare not by any means because they dare not sin: thus others laugh at them, because they think they be more scrupulous than they need be, that should be afraid to do things so little as they think these are. I beseech you observe the perversness of mens hearts; you shall have them if men offend the Law of man, them that are in Authoritie, the Commands of men, in things that they themselves will profess to be verie little, and smal,