N01064:64
A discourse concerning earthquakes. Occasioned by the earthquakes which were in New-England, in the…
A discourse concerning earthquakes. Occasioned by the earthquakes which were in New-England, in the province of Massachusetts-Bay, June 16. and in Connecticut-Colony [sic], June 22. 1705. : Also, two sermons, showing, that sin is the greatest evil; and, that to redeem time is the greatest wisdom. / By Increase Mather.A discourse concerning earthquakes. Occasioned by the earthquakes which were in New-England, in the province of Massachusetts-Bay, June 16. and in Conecticot-Colony [sic], June 22. 1705. : Also, two sermons, shewing, that sin is the greatest evil; and, that to redeem time is the greatest wisdom. / By Increase Mather.
Boston: printed by Timothy Green for Benjamin Eliot, 1706
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
Answ. I. In that it is most contrary to the Blessed God. It is an Evil committed against Him; I•a. 42. 24. The Lord He against whom we have Sinned. It is true, that some Sins are in a more especial manner against Him. Sins against the First Table of the Moral Law have God for their Object, who is peculiarly wronged by them; and Sins against the Second Table have Men for their Object. The Scripture ⟨p. 40⟩makes a difference of sins, according to that distinction, 1 Sam. 2. 25. If one man sin against another, the Judge shall judge him; but if a man sin against the Lord, who shall entreat for him? Therefore the Prodigal confessed, that he had sinned against Heaven, and against his Father too, Luk. 15. 18. Nevertheless, all sin is against God. A man cannot sin against his Neighbour, but he does at the same time sin against God. When Joseph was Tempted to wrong his Master, he said, How can I do this great Wickedness, and Sin against God? Gen. 39. 9. David sinned greatly against Uriah, & against Bathsheba, & against his own Soul, and yet he said in his Con•e••ion to God, Against thee, Th•• Only have I Sinned; h. e. against thee Chiefly, Psal. 51. 4.
Answ. I. In that it is most contrary to the Blessed God. It is an Evil committed against Him; I•a. 42. 24. The Lord He against whom we have Sinned. It is true, that some Sins are in a more especial manner against Him. Sins against the First Table of the Moral Law have God for their Object, who is peculiarly wrong'd by them; and Sins against the Second Table have Men for their Object. The Scripture ⟨p. 40⟩makes a difference of sins, according to that distinction,