§. Sect. 2 Of the meanes to work in our hearts a true hatred of sin.
Now the meanes whereby we may be armed against all sinnes in gene∣rall, and these in particular, are many. The first and principall, is to worke our hearts to a deadly and vnreconcilable hatred against them, by medi∣tating of the infinite Maiesty and goodnesse of God, against whom they are committed, how great and glorious he is in himselfe, and how good and gracious vnto vs, who hath giuen vs all the good things which wee inioy or hope for, yea his chiefest Iewell, his best beloued Sonne to die for vs: By considering that it is aboue all things most hatefull and displea∣sing vnto God, and maketh all creatures in whom it is most odious, though neuer so much beloued of him; As we see in the example of the reiected Iewes; Adam cast out of Paradise, the Sonne of God himselfe, who bearing our sinnes, did beare all his Fathers wrath, and could not bee re∣conciled, till by his sufferings he had made full satisfaction to his Iustice. That it is most haynous and capitall, being committed against so infinite a Maiesty, as appeareth by those dreadfull and eternall punishments, which Gods righteous iudgement inflicteth on those that commit it, in this world and the world to come, that it is the greatest folly in the world, hazarding the eternall saluation of our most precious soules, which are of more worth then many Monarchies, and plunging them into hell and euerlasting destruction, for the momentany and vncertaine fruition of earthly vanities. That it pierced the Lord of life, and nailed him to the Crosse, causing him to be condemned that came to saue vs, and to be put to a shamefull death, who came to giue vnto vs euerlasting life. That the deepe dye of it so stained our soules, that nothing could wash away the filthy spots that it left behind it, but the precious blood of Christ. That it vexeth and grieueth the good Spirit of God dwelling in vs, & by defiling our bodies and soules which are his Temples, doth make him weary of his lodging. That aboue all things it delighteth the deuill, as being the child and darling of this hellish parent; and maketh vs to become fit roomes for him to reuell in, and to passe his time with most delight. Let vs consi∣der of the manifold euils which it causeth vnto vs, both priuatiue and po∣sitiue, in this life and in the life to come. For it depriueth vs of all good, and bringeth with it all euill. It separateth betweene our God and vs, and turneth the greatest loue into the most dangerous enmity. It defaceth his Image in vs, and stampeth vpon vs the image of the deuill. It frustrateth the end of our creation, which was, to glorifie God, by our worshipping and seruing him, yea of our Redemption by Christ, if wee liue and die in it without repentance. It casteth vs (like out-lawes) out of Gods pro∣tection,