From that [and the Cities about them in like manner.] Observe, likeness in sin will involve us in the same punishment; 1they perished and the other Cities in like manner: none had safety but Lot, who consented not, but grieved for these impurities, 2 Pet. 2. 8. Gods wrath maketh no distinction Quos una impietas prophanavit, una sententia delicit (saith Ambrose) they were found in the same sin, and therefore surprised by the same judgement, the destruction of the transgressors and sinners shall be together, Isa. 1. 28. That is the one as well as the other, by what names or titles soever distinguished. Why? I answer, fellowship in evil can neither excuse sin, nor keep off wrath: ⟨p. 327⟩it cannot excuse sin, nothing more usual then for men to say; they do as others do; if you do as others do, you shall suffer as others do: example doth not lessen sin but increase i•, partly because their own Act is an approbation of the Act of others: imitation is a postconstat, and so besides your own guilt, you are guilty of their sins that sinned before you, partly because 'tis hard to sin against example, but we sin against conscience; we allowing that in our selves which we formerly condemned in another: partly because 'tis a sin against warning to stumble at the stone, at which we see others stumble is an error, and without excuse:* Say not then 'tis the fashion and guise, how can we do otherwise? be not conformed to the fashions of this world: you should be like Lot, chaste in Sodom, or like those Christians that were godly in Nero's Court. Again, it doth not keep off wrath; multitudes and single persons are all one to avenging Justice, the devouring burning of Gods wrath can break through Briars and Thorns. 'Tis said Prov. 11. 21. Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished. Confederations and societies in evil are as nothing to the power of God: though sometimes the Sons of Zerviah, powerful oppressors, with their combined interests may be too hard for men. Well then, learn to live by rule, and not by example, and propose the sins of others to your grief, not imitation: have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, b•t reprove them rather, Eph. 5. their practice will never afford you excuse, nor exemption.
From that [and the Cities about them in like manner.] Observe, likeness in sin will involve us in the same punishment; 1they perished and the other Cities in like manner: none had safety but Lot, who consented not, but grieved for these impurities, 2 Pet. 2. 8. Gods wrath maketh no distinction Quos una impietas prophanavit, una sententia delicit (saith Ambrose) they were found in the same sin, and therefore surprized by the same judgement, the destruction of the transgressors and sinners shall be together, Isa. 1. 28. That is the one as well as the other, by what names or titles soever distinguished. Why? I answer, fellowship in evil can neither excuse sin, nor keep off wrath: ⟨p. 327⟩it cannot excuse sin, nothing more usual then for men to say; they do as others do; if you do as others do, you shall suffer as others do: example doth not lessen sin but encrease i•, partly because their own Act is an approbation of the Act of others: immitation is a postconstat, and so besides your own guilt, you are guilty of their sins that sinned before you, partly because 'tis hard to sin against example, but we sin against conscience; we allowing that in our selves which we formerly condemned in another: partly because 'tis a sin against warning to stumble at the stone, at which we see others stumble is an errot, and without excuse:* Say not then 'tis the fashion and guise, how can we do otherwise? be not conformed to the fashions of this world: you should be like Lot, chast in Sodom, or like those Christians that were godly in Nero's Court. Again, it doth not keep off wrath; multitudes and single persons are all one to avenging Justice, the devouring burning of Gods wrath can break through Bryars and Thorns. 'Tis said Prov. 11. 21. Though hand joyn in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished. Consederations and societies in evil are as nothing to the power of God: though sometimes the Sons of Zerviah, powerful oppressors, with their combined interests may be too hard for men. Well then, learn to live by rule, and not by example, and propose the sins of others to your griefe, not imitation: have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, b•t reprove them rather,
- 1Observ. 3.
- *Non ego sum ambitiosus sed nemo aliter Romae vivere potest, &c.
