N00731:59
The folly of sinning, opened & applied, in two sermons, occasioned by the condemnation…The folly of sinning, opened & applyed, in two sermons, occasioned by the condemnation…
The folly of sinning, opened & applied, in two sermons, occasioned by the condemnation of one that was executed at Boston in New-England, on November 17th. 1698. / By Increase Mather, president of Harvard College, in Cambridge, and preacher of the Gospel at Boston in N.E. ; [Two lines from Romans]The folly of sinning, opened & applyed, in two sermons, occasioned by the condemnation of one that was executed at Boston in New-England, on November 17th. 1698. / By Increase Mather, praesident of Harvard Colledge, in Cambridge, and preacher of the Gospel at Boston in N.E. ; [Two lines from Romans]
Boston: printed by B Green for Michael Perry over against the Town House, 1699
THE FOLLY OF Sinning. › Sermon 2 › Proposition 2: PROPOSITION. II.
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.
5. They that cause others to sin, make light of it. As if the burden of their own sins were too light for them, and therefore they must contract the guilt of other mens Iniquities. Thus did Jeroboam the Son of ⟨p. 63⟩Nebat, He […] Israel to sin. And so did Rehoboam, He forsook the Lord, and all Israel with him. 2. Chron. 12.1. One may cause others to sin, by requiring them to do it. Thus Absalom caused his Servants to become guilty of Murdering his Brother Amnon. He said to his Servants, smite him, kill him, Have not I commanded you? 2 Sam. 13.28. So Jezebel wrote a Letter in the Kings Name to the Elders in the City of Jezreel, who she knew would do any thing the King and Court would have them do, requiring them to take away the Innocent Life of Naboth, by a form of Law, and under a pretence of Executing Justice on a Traitor: One may caus• another to sin by instigating them thereunto. Ahab sold himself to work wickedness, whom Jezebel his Wife stirred up. 1 King. 21.25. Or, by giving bad Counsel. It is said concerning Ahaziah, that his Mother was his Counsellor to do Wickedly. 2 Chron. 22 3. Or by Teaching them how they may accomplish any evil design. So Jonadab became guilty of Amnons Incest, by giving him subtle Counsel how he might Compass his wicked desires. 2 Sam. 11.2, 3. So again, one may cause others to sin by persuading & ⟨p. 64⟩enticing them thereto. Prov. 1.10. My Son if sinners entice thee consent thou not. Thus young people do often draw one another into the Snares of Sin and Death by persuasions: Come (says a vile Companion) lets go to such an house, There we shall find what we would have: By this means a silly Creature is drawn into the sin of Drunkenness, Idleness, and it may be into worse wickedness. Most certainly they know not what a dreadful thing the guilt of sin is, that are thus willing to have not only their own, but other mens sins to Answer for in the great day of Judgment. It may be the Conscience of sinners which is now asleep will awake and roar upon them ere long, perhaps on a death bed, and then they will be in anguish to think how they have made others to sin.