A77976:640
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 64
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.
CHAP. LXIV.
Use 14. If there be so much Evil in Sin, than there ought to be no pleading for sin.
Use XIV. IF there be so much Evil in Sin as you have heard, hence then surely there ought to be no pleading for sin; there is too much evil in it for any one in the world to plead for it; to make any excuse, or any Plea for it: As if there be a notorious wicked house where there is much evil done in it, we account it a great disgrace for any to Plead for it: If it be in Question, and any Justice of Peace plead for wicked Ale-houses it is a blot to him. If there were no sin committed in it, it were not much; but if it be a notorious house for sin, to Plead for it, is accounted a great blot. And now you that have heard of the great evil of sin, will you ever open your mouths to diminish and excuse sin? and yet how ordinary is this in the world? Some go to evil wicked company, and when they spend their times in drinking; Plead, Why? they must have recreation? I pray, what work do they tire themselves withal that needs so much recreation? what service do they do for God wherein ⟨p. 501⟩they spend their Spirits? and the strength of their Souls in serving God, that they need so much refreshing? And so when they spend whole days in drinking and eating, why? they do but rejoice in the use of the Creature; and may they not keep Company with such men that be honest men? and so any kind of sin, wicked ribaldry talking, is but mirth; and notorious covetousness, but providing for their Family; and horrible pride, but handsomeness; somewhat they will have to say, Pleas and Excuses for almost any sin. Certainly brethren, if we understood the nature of sin, we would say as Jerubael, Let Baal plead for himself: So let sin plead for it self; never be heard to open thy mouth to plead for sin in others, excuse it in others; much less in thy self. Those that be so full of excuses and pleas for sin, it is an evident argument God never discovered the evil of sin yet to them; never caused the weight and burden of sin to lie upon their Conscience, nor what we have mentioned of the evil of it. Oh! know thou hast to deal with the infinite God, it is a matter of thy soul and eternal estate; and think not to put it off with vain pleas and excuses; but set thy self in the presence of the eternal infinite God. Indeed if you have to deal with your Mothers, or Friends, you may put them off with excuses for sin;