Aggravation of Sin, Table of contents 2
Contents of Aggravation of ſinning againſt knowledge.
Doct. TO ſinne againſt knowledge is the higheſt aggravation of ſinning. page 34
1. Demonſtrations of the point, by comparing it with other kinds of ſinning. 36
How much ſins againſt knowledge doe tranſcend ſins of ignorance. 37
1. In ſins of ignorance there may be a ſuppoſition, if he had known it, he would not have done it: but not ſo in theſe. ibid.
2. The vaſt difference between them appears in the repentance God accepts for each: a generall repentance for the one, not ſo for the other. 39
3. Some kinds of ſinning againſt knowledge exclude from mercy, which done ignorantly, leave a capacity of it. 40
4. Sinning againſt knowledge is the higheſt, but that of ſinning againſt the holy Ghoſt. 41
6. Reaſons.
1. Becauſe knowledge is the greateſt mercy. 42
2. Knowledge is the immediate guide of men in all their waies: a man ſins againſt his guide. 43
That knowledge is ſo proved, in that an erroneous conſcience binds. 45
3. Reaſon: Knowledge layeth a further obligation to obedience. ibid.
Lawes come in force when promulged. 46
4. There is the more contempt caſt on the law. 47
5. In ſins againſt knowledge the will of the ſinner cloſeth more with ſin, as ſin. ibid.
6. In ſinning againſt knowledge, a man condemnes himſelfe. 48
Three things handled concerning ſins againſt knowledge. ibid.
1. What it is to ſin againſt knowledg explained. 49
1. Diſtinction, To ſinne with knowledge and againſt knowledge doe differ. ibid.
A regenerate man guilty of more ſins knowne than another. ibid.
Yet not of more ſins againſt knowledge. 50
2. Diſtinction. Men ſin againſt knowledge either objectively or circumſtantially only. 51
1. What it is to ſinne directly againſt knowledge. ibid.
2. What to ſinne againſt knowledge circumſtantially onelyonly. ibid.
This diſtinction explained out of this Chap. ibid.
Sinnes directly againſt knowledge reduced to two heads. 52
1. In regard of our ſelves 5. wayes. ibid.
1. When we abuſe knowledg to help us to ſin. ib.
3. Wayes.
1. To plot and contrive ſin.
2. To colour ſins committed by lyes.
3. To colour ſins by pretence of religion, and uſe their knowledg of religion to plead for and juſtifie their ſin.
ibid.
2. When men neglect to get knowledge that might preſerve them from ſinning. 53
3. When men refuſe knowledge that they may ſin more freely. 55
4. Is to hate the light, and to endevour to extinguiſh it. 55
5. When men hold opinions ag: their conſciences. 57
2. Men ſin directly againſt knowledge it ſelfe in reſpect of others. 58
1. By concealing knowledge. ibid.
2. Men indevor to ſuppreſſe knowledg in others. ib.
3. When men go about to make others ſin againſt their conſciences. 59
2. Generall Branch.
Sins committed collaterally or circumſtantially againſt knowledge. 60
It is done
1. Either in particular acts of ſinning, or
2. In continuing in an eſtate of ſinning againſt knowledge. ibid.
Particular inſtances being infinite. 61
A diſtinction is given concerning them. ibid.
1. Some ſins more tranſient. ibid.
2. Some more permanent and continued, untill recalled, though but once committed. ibid.
Which are of all other moſt dangerous to commit, when againſt knowledge. 62
2. Going on in a ſinfull eſtate againſt knowledge. ibid.
Three ſorts of men thus ſin:
1. Such as for worldly ends forbear to profeſſe Chriſt and his wayes, which they know to be ſuch. 63
2. Thoſe that defer repentance. 65
3. Apoſtate Profeſſors goe on in an eſtate of ſinning againſt knowledge. ibid.
Application. 67
2. Head: Rules whereby to eſtimate ſins againſt knowledge. 68
Of two ſorts: before ſinning, or in ſinning. 69
1. Before ſinning, 3. Rules.
1. The more a man conſiders the iſſues and conſequents of a ſin. ibid.
2. The more conſultation, and debates before. 70
3. The more teſtimonies and warnings againſt a ſin. 71
2. Rules to meaſure the ſinfulneſſe of ſuch acts in ſinning, 3. 73
1. The leſſe paſsion or temptation to a ſinne againſt knowledge. ibid.
2. The more inward regreet, and ſorow, & reluctancy, the ſtronger is the knowledg, & ſo more againſt it. 75
3. The more hardneſſe of heart in committing a ſin known to be a ſin, the greater the ſin, as it is a ſin againſt knowledge. 76
3. Head: Aggravations drawn from the kind of that knowledge we ſin againſt, which are five. 77
The more ſtrong the knowledg, the greater the ſin. 78
1. To ſin againſt the inbred light of nature. ibid.
2. To ſin againſt the light of education. 80
3. The more real & experimental light men ſin againſt. 82
4. The more ſhining the light is in the conſcience, joyned with a taſte, the greater the ſin. 83
5. To ſin againſt profeſſed knowledge. 85
How great an ingagement and motive it is to men of knowledg to turn to God, and to take heed of ſinning. 87
1. Such an one cannot ſin ſo cheap as others: their ſins are more caſtly and …. ibid.
And will have leſſe pleaſure in ſinning. ibid.
2. Such are given up to greater hardneſſe of heart. 88
3. Such God gives up to the worſt & groſſeſt of ſins. ibid.
4. At death, knowledge ſinned againſt, gives up to more horror and diſpaire. 89
5. In hell it increaſeth torment. 90
FINIS.