CHAP. XIV. Of the cause of forbearing Sin, of abhorring it, and of small Sins.
THe main cause of our forbearing any sin should be the sinfulnesse of it,* 1.1 that is, because it is repugnant to Gods will, and offensive to him, Isa. 59. 2. So Ioseph, How shall I do this great evil and sin against God. Loe what did curb him from that wickednesse which in the verdict of carnall reason he had so much cause to have committed, and he might have done with so much safety and assurance, even this, It was a sin against God, Ier. 44. 4. Nehem. 13. 27. Psal. 51. 3. Psal. 97. 10.
Reasons,
- 1. This is the very proper cause of all the other evil effects of sin, and herein doth the very evilnesse and vilenesse of it consist. The foul nature of sin stands in this, that it is offensive to God and opposite to the will of that excellent Majesty to whom all creatures ought to be subject.
- 2. Our forbearance of sin is no otherwise a fruit and effect of love to the di∣vine Majesty, then if we forbear it on this ground, and further then it ariseth from this ground it is nought worth to our comfort, nor shall bring us any everlasting reward, Ezra 9. 14. Eadem velle & nolle, ea demum firma est amicitia.
- 3. Unlesse this thought make us flye from sin we shall never forbear it con∣stantly* 1.2 nor universally, because no other motive will still and every where hold.
We must not only avoid sin but abhorre it, Psal. 97. 10. Isa. 30. 22. Rom. 12. 9.* 1.3 David saith, I hate vain thoughts. Paul mentioning divers evils, saith, God forbid. The wicked, and much more wickednesse, is an abomination to the just, 1 Sam. 26. 11. Rom. 6. 2. Sin is often exprest by abomination; 'tis so to God, it should be so to men.
Reasons,
- 1. Because our affections must be conformable to God's. Prov. 6. 16. He hateth nothing simply but sin, and sinners for sins sake.
- 2. Sin in it self is most hatefull, because most hurtfull to man and injurious to God: The ground of hatred of any thing is the contrariety of it to our welfare; as we hate wilde, fierce and raging beasts for their mischievousnesse; a toad and serpents for their poisonousnesse which is a strong enemy to life and health: so we hate thieves and murderers. Sin is the most mischievous and harmfull thing in the world.