Besides the Enumeration of our sins, it is also requisite that we understand somewhat concerning the aggravation of them, whereby they may appear exceeding sinful, that so we may be the better affected with a selfe-abhorrency and humiliation for them. (Rom. 7.13)
Aggravation may be either of Sinne in General. Kindes of sin. Particular sins.1
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Sinne in general may be aggravated, either by its Greatnesse Multitude in both which respects it is eminent above any thing else; as for other matters if they be great they are but few; if many, (Am. 5.12) they are but small. But sin exceeds in both these.
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The greatnes of its evil may be discerned in its Nature Effects, both in regard of Christ.2 Our selves. Other creatures.
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All sinne in its own nature and essence is enmity against God, (Rom. 8.7) Now as he that hateth his brother is a murtherer: So he that hateth God, (1 Joh. 3.15) may be said to be a murtherer of him. Because in his heart he wishes that he were not. The holy Ghost fitly stiles it, The excrement, (Jam. 1.21) The superfluity of naughtinesse, implying, that if all other evils were to have a scum, a superfluity, ‘tis sinne must be it. ‘Tis worse then the Devil himself, it made him to be so. ‘Tis worse then Hell, that is but opposite to the good of the creature; this of the Creator. And if the greatnesse of the malady may be judged by the cost and difficulty of the Cure; It will easily appear that no evil is so great as this, because nothing could serve for the remedy of it, but the infinitely precious blood of Jesus Christ: ‘Tis so great an evil, that there can be no greater punishment of it, then by it self; when God would deale with a man as a most desperate enemy, he give him up to sin. There can be no worse epithite or expression for it, then it self. When the Apostle would speak the worst of it he could, he calls it by his own name, sinful sin.
(Rom. 7.13)2. For the effects of it, in regard
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Of Christ, who had it only by imputation as our Surety. It was the cause of all his bitter Agonies; It afflicted his soul and broke his heart, making him to cry out, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
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In respect of our selves; it hath utterly undone all mankinde, debased our souls which were fit companions for God himself, unto a servile, shameful condition: Deprived them of that glorious Image, wherein all our happinesse and excellency did consist; and made us more vile then the beasts that perish.
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In respect of the other Creatures; it hath brought a vanity and curse upon the whole Creation,3 causing all the miseries and sorrows in this world, and those eternal torments in the world to come.
All which mischief is contained in the nature, and might be effected by any the least particular sin. Now if every sin have in it so much deformity and danger; if our least offences do contain in them more enmity and injustice against God, then could be expiated by the whole Creation, and of themselves would be enough to sink us into eternal perdition: how desperate then are those greater abominations, (Is. 1.18) those crying sins, of a scarlet and crimson dye, wherewith our lives have been defiled?
If an infinite wrath be due to our idle thoughts, what may we expect then for our unclean, covetous, malicious, proud, Atheistical, Blasphemous thoughts?
If every vaine word does deserve hell, what depth of damnation then shall be inflicted for those many cursed oaths, lies, bitternesse, railings, and other unsavory discourses, whereof we have been guilty?
If our Righteousnesse be as filthy rags; if the iniquity of our holy things be enough to condemne us, what dregs of indignation may we then expect, for our many rebellions, prophane, hypocritical, actions? if our sacrifice and obedience may be counted abomination, what shall be thought then of our Sacriledge and Rebellion?
- For the multitude of our sins; who can tell how oft he offendeth?4 Our iniquities are increased over us, and our trespasses are grown up unto the heavens. They are more then the haires of our head. Neither the tongue of men or Angels is able to reckon them up; if there be any impiety which we have not fallen into, ‘tis not for want of sinful inclinations in us: but rather because we had not temptations, means, opportunities for the acting of it. To which may be added our continuance in sin, as a fountain casteth out her waters, (Jer. 6.7) without intermission.