§. 16. Of the quality of the sin against the Holy Ghost.§. 16. Of the qualitie of the sinne against the Holy Ghost.

§. 16. Of the quality of the sin against the Holy Ghost.

§. 16. Of the qualitie of the sinne against the Holy Ghost.

The Quality (or effect of this sin: for the sin it self is seated principally in the heart) is speaking against, and blasphemy. This latter word expoundeth the former. For it is not every kind of speaking against, but an ignominious, opprobrious, despiteful speaking against: which is blasphemy. For blasphemy is here taken in the uttermost extent thereof, and that both in regard of the matter, which is to deny the evidence of the Spirit, and also in regard of the manner, which is to do it with disgraceful, and despiteful speeches, to the open dishonour of God, and of his Gospel, and of the Spirit, which hath given undoubted evidence of the power of God: as the Scribes and Pharisees, who did not only deny that Christ cast out devils by the finger and power of God: but also most reproachfully and slanderously said,¹ This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beel-zebub the Prince of devils: And again,² He hath an unclean spirit.

THe Quality (or effect of this sinne: for the sin it selfe is seated principally in the heart) is speaking against, and blasphemie. This latter word expoundeth the former. For it is not euery kind of speaking against, but an ignominious, approbrious, dispitefull speaking against: which is blasphemie. For blasphemie is heere taken in the vttermost extent thereof, and that both in regard of the matter, which is to deny the euidence of the Spirit, and also in regard of the manner, which is to doe it with disgracefull, and despitefull speeches, to the open dishonour of God, and of his Gospell, and of the Spirit, which hath giuen vndoubted euidence of the power of God: as the Scribes and Pharisies, who did not only deny that Christ cast out diuels by the finger and power of God: but also most reproachfully and slanderously said,¹