Sin, the destruction of any People or Nation whatsoever. [ 1537]
SEragastio, a servant (in one of Plautus Comedies) asking another, Ut muni∣tum tibi visum est oppidum?* 1.1 How doth the Town seem to be sortified? The answer given was this, Si Incolae bene sint morati, pulch••è munitum arbitror, If the Inhabitants be well governed and good, I think it to be well fortified: And then reckoning up many Vices, he concludeth; haec nisi inde aberunt, &c. unlesse these be absent, an hundred walls are but little enough for the preservation of it: And to say truth, such is the destructive Nature of Sin, that it will levell the walls of the best and most polite Governments whatsoever; so that it is no more the walls and Bullwarks, the secret Counsels, the subtile contrivements, the valour of the Souldiery, or the greatnesse of Commanders, will be guard sufficient to a Na∣tion or People, unlesse Sin, that is, reigning, beloved Sin, be first removed.