A77976:662
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 67
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.
Use XVII. Come we now to the last thing. The last Use is this (I will but show what might have been said, and so wind up all) There are six sorts of People, that from this Point are reprehended. You shall see all Naturally follow from the Point in hand, that there is greater Evil in Sin than in Affliction.
Use XVII. COme we now to the last thing. The last Use is this (I wil but shew what might have been said, and so wind up all) There are six sorts of People, that from this Point are reprehended. You shall see all Naturally follow from the Point in hand, that there is greater Evil in Sin than in Affliction.
First, Such kind of people as be more afraid of Affliction than of sin. There be many people very •hy of Affliction and solicitous to prevent Affliction, but not to prevent Sin. Many reason thus, I had need be a good Husband, and lay up somewhat, I know not what I may meet withal before I die, I may want before I die: many are penurious and covetous, and will not enlarge themselves to good uses when God calls, because they be afraid they and their Children may want before they die; who knows what we may meet withal? and thus they are careful to prevent Affliction. But for Sin, they do not lay up to prevent that; whereas we should be very solicitous, least we should be drawn into temptation, and therefore we are taught to pray, Lead us not into temptation, as well as, Forgive us our trespasses: True, God keeps me from such and such sins, but what if God should leave me to temptation? what a wretched Creature should I be if ever this corrupt heart of mine should prevail against me? as I have cause to fear, I find such wickedness boiling and bubbling up, and such proneness to such and such sin; if the Lord be not infinitely merciful to me ⟨p. 519⟩I shall break out to the dishonour of his Name, scandal of Religion, and wounding of my Conscience; and this God knows causes the most solicitous care that I ever had, least my heart should break out against God, to the scandal of that holy Profession I have taken upon me. Oh is it thus with you? Oh this were a happy thing indeed As when men hear of one that is broke, they will inquire what is the reason; he had such an Estate, what is the reason he broke? One (may be) saith, he trusted Servants too much, and that caused him to break; Oh this will cause him to look so to it, that he will never trust his Servants too much: Another (may be) saith, Because he lived above his means; and this makes him that he will not live above his means: And another, He will have his Country House, and his Servants riot at home when he is abroad: And another, He trusted too much, and such like Reasons: Now we will be wise to take heed of that which brings others to afflictions. So it should be with us when we see any fall into sin; Professors that made a show of Religion, and afterwards fall foully, inquire now, what is the matter this man broke? he broke his Conscience, what is the matter?