Sixthly, In this sin, there was an express breach of Gods Law: this Deodat saith: for his Law was, the people should not be numbered that were under 20 years, but on those above 20; now David did number those that were under 20. years. Exod. 30.14. Every one that passeth among them that are numbered, from 20 years old and above, shall give an offering unto the Lord. Numb. 1.3. From 20 years old and upward, all that are ⟨p. 134⟩able to go forth to war in Israel: Now David numbering those that were under those years, did transgress the command of God. That is a third consideration to you that say you never run into scandalous sins: yet consider, that little sins may be so aggravated by circumstances as that they become grievous: suppose thy sin be secret lust, and secret passion, and secret pride: beloved, thy sins may have such circumstances, as to make them great: suppose thy sins be against checks of conscience they are great sins, because they are against Gods officer in man; Conscience is Gods officer in thee, and Gods Register, and Vicegerent in man; and for thee to control thine own conscience against the accusations, and against the convictions and checks of thy conscience, though the sin be but a small trifle, yet is it very great; He that doubteth, is damned if he eats. The Apostle saith it is no sin to eat meat, but if thou thinkest it is a sin to eat meat, and dost it, thou sinnest against conscience. If thy conscience telleth thee that it is unlawful to do this or that, and yet thou wilt venture on it, the Apostle saith, He that doubteth is damned, if he eats. If thou doest any thing against the rebukes of conscience, it is a great crime; because conscience is Gods Officer in thee: to eat meat, is but a trifle; the Question ⟨p. 135⟩was, whether they might eat meat offered to an idol, the Apostle saith they might do it. I, but suppose conscience in a man might say, I am persuaded that if I should eat this meat that was offered to an idol, I should approve of Idolatry, then, saith the Apostle, thou art damned if thou eat: to show, that if in so small a thing as eating flesh, then in other matters also; if thy conscience telleth thee, that thou sinnest if thou doest it, and yet doest it, thy little sin is become a great sin.
Sixthly, In this sin, there was an express breach of Gods Law: this Deodat saith: for his Law was, the people should not be numbred that were under 20 years, but onthose above 20; now David did number those that were under 20. years. Exod. 30.14. Every one that passeth among them that are numbred, from 20 years old and above, shall give an offering unto the Lord. Numb. 1.3. From 20 years old and upward, all that are ⟨p. 134⟩able to goe forth to warre in Israel: Now David numbring those that were under those years, did transgresse the command of God. That is a third consideration to you that say you never run into scandalous sins: yet consider, that little sins may be so aggravated by circumstances as that they become grievous: suppose thy sin be secret lust, and secret passion, and secret pride: beloved, thy sins may have such circumstances, as to make them great: suppose thy sins be against checks of conscience they are great sins, because they are against Gods officer in man; Conscience is Gods officer in thee, and Gods Register, and Vicegerent in man; and for thee to controll thine own conscience against the accusations, and against the convictions and checks of thy conscience, though the sin be but a small trifle, yet is it very great; He that doubteth, is damned if he eats. The Apostle saith it is no sin to eat meat, but if thou thinkest it is a sin to eat meat, and dost it, thou sinnest against conscience. If thy conscience telleth thee that it is unlawfull to do this or that, and yet thou wilt venture on it, the Apostle saith, He that doubteth is damned, if he eats. If thou doest any thing against the rebukes of conscience, it is a great crime; because conscience is Gods Officer in thee: to eat meat, is but a trifle; the Question ⟨p. 135⟩was, whether they might eat meat offered to an idoll, the Apostle saith they might do it. I, but suppose conscience in a man might say, I am perswaded that if I should eat this meat that was offered to an idoll, I should approve of Idolatry, then, saith the Apostle, thou art damned if thou eat: to shew, that if in so small a thing as eating flesh, then in other matters also; if thy conscience telleth thee, that thou sinnest if thou doest it, and yet doest it, thy little sin is become a great sin.
