A Catalogue of Sins, Catalogue of sins
A Catalogue of Sins.
I. Of Original Sin.
In General.
ORiginal Pollution inherent in us, which depraves our Natures, and becomes the Fountain of all the Sins of the worst Men in the World.
Inability to any Good, a Loathing of, an Aversion from, a Reluctance against Good.
A Propension to, and Desire after Evil; which cannot be done away, 'till our Earthly Tabernacles are dissolved, Rom. 7. 15, 18, 19, 21, 23. Heb. 12. 1.
In Particular.
1. In our Inward Man.
Hereby, Our
Understandings are depraved with Vanity, Inconsiderateness, Rashness, Darkness, Prejudice, Contradictions against Fleshdispleasing Truths, Rom. 3. 11. 1. 21. 8. 5, 7. Gen. 6. 5. 2 Cor. 3. 5. Jer. 4. 24. 1 Cor. 2. 14. Ephes. 4. 18.
Consciences senseless under Threats and Judgments, past feeling.
Not accusing for Falls into Sin, not excusing when truly Penitent or Innocent, deaf to Holy Suggestions, Eph. 4. 19. 1 Tim. 4. 20. Tit. 1. 15. Rom. 2. 15.
Hearts and Affections are full of Unsearchable Deceits, Evil Thoughts, Folly and Madness, in preferring perishing Contentments, before Eternal Concernments.
Not wrought upon by the most Lively Means of Grace, by Hopes or Fears, Threatnings or Promises, Mercies or Judgments, quickly lose that Sense they have at any time got, and revolt from a good Frame.
Affections set on wrong Objects, Inordinate and Excessive when set on right, Ier. 17. 9. Mat. 15. 19. Eccles. 9. 3. Gen. 6. 5.
Wills have lost their first Spiritual Freedom, become full of Enmity and Obstinacy against Good. Free to Evil. Iohn 8. 24. 2 Pet. 2. 19. Psalm 50. 17.
Memories forgetful of Good, but very Tenacious of Evil Matters, Heb. 2. 1.
Not calling Truths seasonably to Mind, to quicken when Dull, or comfort when Sad.
2. In our Outward Man.
Which is now become Weak, Vile, Subject to all manner of Infirmities, Diseases, and Sins: Our Members being Instruments of Unrighteousness. As,
Our Eyes full of Adultery, Pride, Envy, Scorn, 2 Pet. 2. 12.
Ears deaf to good Suggestions, open and attentive to Vanities, Lies, Slanders, &c.
Tongues Unruly, Unsavoury and Unedifying in Discourse, Iames 3. 6, 8. Rom. 3. 13, 14, 15, 18.
To All which add, that though the best of us are as bad by Nature as the worst of Men, there being no Sin committed by Men or Devils, but the Principles thereof are in our Nature; yet we are naturally apt, to have slight and trivial Thoughts of this Original Corruption, that is thus abominable. It's oft confess'd, seldom bewail'd, as it is by St. Paul, Rom. 7. 14, 15, 16, 17, 24, &c.
II. Actual Sin.
1. Against the First and Second Table of the Law.
Against the First Table in General.
Not loving the Lord our God with all our Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind.
In Particular.
Against the First Commandment.
By Atheisme, which sheweth it self, in denying the very Being of God.
Customary living without a Sense of, Acquaintance with, or Desires after God. Saying or thinking God sees not all things. That he cannot help his own. That it is no Profit to serve him.
Having inwardly Murmurings against the Decrees, and Providences of God, towards our selves or others.
Not worshipping him as God, and our God.
Blasphemy, Reproaching God, Speaking Evil of him.
Idolatry, Preferring any thing in our Love and Esteem, before the Lord: To please or keep it, rather than God. Giving his Worship to any other.
Witchcraft, or contracting to serve the Devil, resorting to Witches, that have entred into such Contracts.
Heresie, Obstinately maintaining Fundamental Errors.
Apostacy, Resolvedly departing from God, and his Ways.
Hatred and Loathing, of the Blessed God and his good Ways.
Ignorance of the Power, Justice, Mercy, Wisdom, and other Attributes of God.
Of the Truths of God, little desiring the Knowledge of his Ways; hating him that instructs us.
Suppressing and Smothering some Truths, in Favour of some Sin.
Turning away our Eyes or Ears, from that Book or Instruction, which we fear may discover what we do and love, to be sinful.
Not living answerable to what we know.
Not doing what we know to be our Duty.
Not avoiding what we know to be sinful.
Infidelity, Not Assenting to God's Law as Holy, Just, and Good: Not so firmly to believe his Attributes, as to have Affections suitable to them: As Love, Mercy, &c.
Nor his Threats and Judgments, so as to be awakened at them; or his Promises, so as to be allured by them, from Sin to Newness of Life.
Diffidence, or Distrusting God, not Adhering to him with all our Hearts.
Not asking Counsel of him in Straits.
Not casting our Burden upon him.
Not trusting him in want of Outward Means.
Full of Carking and Solicitous Thoughts.
Trusting to Friends, Wealth, Wit, rather than to God, and when these fail, frowardly to desire Death, Job 7. 15.
Want of Love to God, Giving more of our Affections to our selves, Pleasures, Riches, Honours, Friends, than to the Blessed God.
Suffering our Business, Entertainments, Want of Leasure, and such like poor Respects, to seduce our Affections from him, and to hinder our Comunion with him.
Loosing our first Love, &c.
Want of Zeal for God, Faintly pursuing what may tend to the promoting of his Glory in the World, feebly opposing what may hinder his Praise.
Not inwardly laying to Heart those Reigning Corruptions, either Publick in the Times, or Private in our own Souls, whereby God's Name has been, and is abused.
Wronging good Causes, either by a Zealless Lukewarmness, or a Furious, Imprudent Zeal.
Want of Ioy in God, Not serving him with Gladness of Heart.
Not reckoning his Service, Word, Ordinances and Sabbaths, (in which we converse with him) a Delight.
Counting his Ways grievous and burthensome, having more Joy in any Company than in his.
Unthankfulness for Mercies, not Observing, Acknowledging, Recording or Rendering, according to his Tokens of Love towards us and ours, in Soul, Body, or Estate.
Our Thankfulness at the Receipt of them, not proportionable to our Importunity for them, in our want of them.
Growing worse by our Enjoyments.
Impatience under the Crosses justly inflicted, and less than we diserve.
Not Chearful under Sufferings.
Apt to murmure and repine, to faint and despair, to seek help by unlawful Means.
Disobedience, not absolutely Submitting our Wills in all things to the Will of God, to be in what Condition he pleases, to do what he will have us.
Inconstant and Unstable in what we do.
Apt to revolt and backslide upon every slight Temptation, to choose or refuse Duties, as they best comport wich our own Inclinations, Affections, and Interests.
Not Universal in all Times, Conditions, Relations, &c.
Want of the Fear of that God, who is infinite in Power, Justice, &c.
Growing secure and presumptious in a way of Sin, promising our selves Peace and Impunity, tho' we persevere in our Impieties.
Apt to fear the Frowns of Men more than God.
Choosing to commit some little Sin, rather than be reproach'd or suffer.
Pride, High Looks, and Indignation of Spirit towards others.
Fearlessness of a Fall in Prosperity.
Secret lifting up of Heart, and glorying in Friends, Riches, Beauty, Grace or Gifts.
High Thoughts of our selves, fretting at, or envying, the better Gifts and Respects of Others.
Prying into God's Secrets.
Glorying in any Sin.
Not lying so low, as God's Greatness and our Vileness doth oblige us.
Unmindful of God, not Thinking, Meditating, and highly Esteeming of God.
Not choosing him for our Chief Good, and devoting our selves to his Service.
Against the Second Comandment.
Idol-worship, making an Image to represent the Living God, and using Gestures of Reverence to such Images.
Swearing by Idol-gods, being present at the Feasts and Service of the Idol: Worshipping God by an Image.
Conceiving of God in the likeness of any thing Created, or forming any gross Conceptions of him.
Worshipping feigned and false Gods.
Forming carnal Imaginations of God, whilest worshipping of him.
Superstition. Worshipping God in any other Way, and by any other Means than what he hath appointed in his Word.
Will-worship. Devising of our own Wills, any Ordinances or Means of God's Worship. Worshipping for Custom, or because our Fore-fathers did so, or because Men command us to do so.
Private Persons administring in Sacred Ordinances, urging the lesser, neglecting the greater things of the Law.
Ʋrging Mens Traditions more than God's Institutions.
Irreligion, Or not Worshipping at all.
Not receiving Preachers, Discourageing them, Alienating their just Maintenance, forbidding them to Preach.
Displeased with God's Institutions, disswading Men from God's Worship, Hateing, Opposing, Persecuting and Slandering Men for serving God.
Iniquities about our holy things, as to the Manner of Duties, Backwardness of Heart to 'em, Averseness from 'em, Unpreparedness for 'em, Want of Care and Pains to get prepared.
Distractions and Wandring of Heart from God in Duties. Flatness, Lukewarmness, and Unsensibleness of Heart under Ordinances.
Formality, Contentedness, with the bare Doing of a Duty, without sensible Communion with God in it.
Hypocrisie and dissembling with God, Desiring mainly to be approved of, and commended by Men.
Grieving more when we please not Men, than when we please not God.
Ʋnacquaintance with God in, and Weariness under Ordinances, and Rejoycing when they are over, Walking unsuitably after the Enjoyment of them.
Not maintaining some Measure of a Duty-Frame from Duty to Duty.
Not endeavouring with any Seriousness to be and do what we Hear we ought, Pray we may, and Vow we will both be and do.
Not Marking how God answers us, not Mourning over all these.
Iniquities about our holy things in respect of the Means or Kinds of Worship: As,
First, Prayer-Sins: As, Negligence in setting any Solemn Time apart, for our Secret Devotions.
Omitting Publick, Family, or Closet-Prayer, upon Trivial Occasions, slight or pretended Business.
Not being grieved when we so omit our Duties.
Doing them rather to quiet an accusing Conscience, than out of Love to the Enjoyment of God in 'em, or to carry Impressions of God from them.
Confessing Sin without Sorrow, Shame, or Hatred of it, hiding some Beloved Sin which we should confess.
Not forsaking what we do confess; but confess what we commit, and commit what we confess.
Petitioning things not according to the Will of God, but apt to Pray passionately for what our Flesh craves.
Not Praying with so much Faith and Fervency, as if we felt our Wants pinch us, or were perswaded that this Duty were an Effectual Means to get our Wants supply'd.
Not tenderly affectionate in forgiving others, or in our Intercessions for Others.
In Thanksgiving, neither recording nor mentioning the Kindnesses of God, nor raised into Chearfulness, Love and Gratitude for 'em.
Secondly, Hearing Sins: Neglecting Opportunities offered.
Before; Not prepraring for, hungring after, loving, believing and prizing it as the Word of Life.
Bringing with us much Carnal Security, and hardness of Heart, without any desire to profit by it.
Resolutions of Continuing in their former Courses, whatsoever can be said to the contrary.
Carrying with us Worldly Thoughts, Prejudices against the Teacher, or some Truths he teacheth, going for Curiosity, not to Learn, but Censure, to please the Fancy, or pacifie Conscience, rather than to reform the Life.
At. Inattention, Irreverence, Distraction, Unbelief, Misapplication, Obstinacy, Dullness, Weariness. Neither remembering, nor desiring to practice what we hear.
Want of Meekness to receive the ingrafted Word, especially Reproofs.
After. Not careful to fix it in our Hearts by Prayer, Meditation and Conference.
Not living answerable to what we have heard, barren under all.
Thirdly, Sacrament Sins:
1. Baptismal, By Slighting and Renouncing that Covenant, by not setting our selves against the World, the Lusts of our Flesh, and the Devil, and not walking as those in the Bosom of the Church.
By Delays in renewing this Covenant. Doing it Cursorily and Superficially, the Unsteadfastness of our Hearts in this Covenant.
2. Lord's Supper Sins: Not hungering after it, not partaking of it so frequently as our Necessities require, and Opportunities are offered.
Before, not setting some time apart for Preparation, and not setting seriously about the Work in that Time.
Ʋnwilling to examine the secret Corners of our Hearts, to judge our selves for sin, to mourn over, purge out, and engage against those, Bosom Sins, to which we are most inclined.
Not stirring up in our selves Faith in, Love towards Jesus Christ; whereby we may renew the Conditions of that Covenant required on our Part.
Not reconciling our selves to those we have trespassed against.
At. How little affected with those Sins which Crucify'd the Lord Christ? How idle is Faith, which should lay hold on Christ?
How little Communion have we with him? How little Strength get we from him? How little Delight in him? Thankfulness to him?
After, Forgetting our good Resolutions, relapsing into our Old Transgessions.
Not feeling the Comforts and Profit, promised to Worthy Receivers, not growing in Grace, Resting in the bare Performance of Duty.
Not mourning over our Unprofitableness, not searching into the Causes why we miss of God in the Ordinance.
Fourthly, Conference Sins: Contemning and avoiding Godly Christians Society.
Not desiring or misimproving it, in Impertinent, Froathy Discourses, Jangling Controversies, and Unfriendly Jarrings.
Speaking of Heavenly Things without Affection, and with Affectation.
Fifthly, Meditation Sins: Not sparing Time for, Froathy and Vain in, not raised and affected by it.
Not furnishing our selves with Scripture Materials for it: Not improving Emergencies and Occurrences for Occasional Meditation.
Not beginning and ending every Day with some Devout Thoughts and Ejaculations.
6. Self-Examination Sins: In growing Strangers to our own Hearts.
Ʋnacquainted with our special Sins, that most easily beset us; with our special Wants and Weaknesses, that need Supplies.
Being undetermined as to our Eternal State, and content to be so.
Ʋnwilling to bear the Burthen of a thorough Tryal and impartial Determination, loath to know the worst of our selves.
Lastly, Uows, Unfaithful to Conviction and Sick-bed Vows, as well as to those before-mentioned.
Against the Third Commandment.
By,
Swearing Falsly, Rashly in Common Discourse, Cursing, and Wishing any Evil to another, (which we would not wish our selves) though in a Passion.
Making Unlawful Vows, breaking Lawful Ones, Irreverent mentioning of God.
Not acknowledging, or not being affected with, the Glorious Attributes of God.
Not defending the Glory, Name and Truths of God, when vilify'd by Others.
Blemishing our Profession by our Uneven Conversations.
Oft relapsing into the same Sin again after Repentance.
Not regarding his Merciful or Severe Providences towards us and others, not answering each Dispensation with its proper Duty.
Not studying the Duty of the Day, whether Adverse or Prosperous: Not learning Instruction by our Afflictions. Afflicted, but not bettered.
Not being grieved at the Dishonour of God, not reading the Scripture with due Reverence, jesting with Holy Things.
Speaking irreverently concerning God, making mention of his Name, Titles or Attributes.
In Ordinary Discourse, crying, O Lord! O God! God forgive me, God save me, and the like, without thinking or having any Awe of God, whilest speaking of him.
Ascribing any thing to God unworthy of him.
Professing of Religion only for a Cloak for Covetuousness, Maliciousness and Voluptuousness.
Speaking slightingly of the Word of God, wresting of it unto False Doctrine.
Against the Fourth Commandment.
In,
Not remembering the Sabbath, so as to prevent all such Business, as may distract or obstruct us in the Duties of the Day. Not resting from our Works, Travels, &c.
Not resting from Sin, Recreations, Vain Thoughts and Words. Spending the Day in Idleness, or Neglect of Publick and Private Duties, frequenting Taverns, Ale-houses.
Instead of worshipping him our selves, persecuting his People that do.
Scoffing and Deriding at God's Worship.
Seeking our Pleasures in the Fields, or in vain and froathy Company. Keeping an Outward Rest, not regarding the Work of the Soul, to be done on that Day.
Not Praying for the Ministers Assistance and Success, in his Work, upon our own and others Hearts.
Suffering those under our Charge to profane this Day, neglecting to edifie their Souls.
Not contemplating the Creatures, and Providences of God on that Day, nor minding the Work of our Redemption.
Being weary of the Sabbath, wishing it were over, and without Delight in it, not being in the Spirit on the Lord's Day.
Not being Fervent in the Praises of God, not rising with Christ, and seeking Things above, not longing for his Everlasting Rest, and so for extraordinary Days lawfully set apart. As,
1. Extraordinary Fasts, or Days of Humiliation in Publick or Private: In neglecting of them, when there is special Occasion to observe them.
Insensibleness of Sin, or the Danger and Judgments brought by Sin.
Resting in Bodily Abstinence and Sad Countenances, without Inward Afflicting the Soul.
Not dealing our Bread to the Hungry, not forsaking our sinful Ways.
2. Extraordinary Feasts, or Days of Thanksgiving, in mispending them in Outward and Carnal Mirth, without the Inward Spiritual Duties of Love, Thankfulness, Joy and Delight in God.
Not Enlarging our Bounty to the Poor, not evidencing our Thankfulness by fruitful Conversations.
Against the Second Table in General.
By
Not loving our Neighbour with such true and unfeigned Love as our selves.
Not dealing with others, as we desire they would deal with us; not praying for and endeavouring their good as our own.
Not being of a Publick Spirit.
In Particular
Against the Fifth Commandment.
In being Imperious and Violent towards Inferiours, Stubborn and Undutiful towards Superiours.
Ʋngrateful to Benefactors, neither recording, acknowledging, esteeming nor requiting 'em as we might.
Apt to extenuate those Gifts and Graces of any, in which they excel us: Envying their Parts, Gifts, Abilities, Happiness or Welfare. More particularly,
Parents Sins: Not having a Tender Love for, or Care of their Children, especially whilest young, not keeping them under Subjection whilst young.
Requiring any thing of 'em contrary to the Law of God, not encouraging of 'em in well doing, not seasonably reproving 'em for evil doing.
Not providing what is needful for 'em for the present, and laying up for 'em according to what we have for the future.
Opposing what is really for their Good, in reference to their Callings, Marriages, &c. In provoking their Children to Wrath by intemperate Speeches and excessive Corrections.
Not Educating, Instructing or Chastizing their Children carefully, not Praying for them.
Not Providing suitable and religious Places, Callings, or Matches for them, not setting them good Examples.
By a fond and groundless Preference of one before another.
Children, not Loving, Reverencing, but despising their Parents, not submitting to them, Grieving and Reproaching of 'em, Discovering their Infirmities.
Being unthankful to 'em, not relievng 'em in their Wants, marrying without their Consent.
Not hearkening to their Instruction, disobedient to their Lawful Commands.
Not meek and patient under their Correction, not amended by 'em.
Cursing Father and Mother.
Husband, not prudently governing, instructing and cherishing his Wife, being captious and froward towards her, doing what may justly grieve her.
Not praying with, loving of, delighting in, and providing for her.
Not honouring his Wife, Unfaithful to Marriage-Covenants.
Not caring to please her in Things lawful and fit, not counselling, admonishing, and every way helping of her in the Matters of her Temporal and Eternal Welfare.
Wife, being irreverent, undutiful, unquiet, unhelpful to, or a hinderer of her Husbands Good and Comfort.
Not studying to please him, not subject to him, Eph. 5. 24.
Not loving her Husband above all others, unfaithful to him in reference to the Bed, Estate, or any Secrets intrusted to her.
Lavishly spending his Estate in Apparel, or any other way, above her Degree.
Imperiousness over, having unreasonable Surmises and Suspicions of her Husband.
Masters, entertaining wicked Servants, neither careful in directing, governing, rewarding nor punishing them.
Ʋsing inordinate and passionate Threatnings.
Not minding their Souls, not allowing them time for Holy Duties, not caring for them when sick.
Not allowing them sufficient and convenient Food, detaining their Wages.
Not reproving and correcting them for sin, requiring them to do any thing that is sinful, as telling Lies for them, &c.
Servants, disobedient, slothful, unfaithful, answering again, murmuring, careless.
Not doing all as unto Christ.
Serving with Eye Service, as Men pleasers.
Not concerned for their Master's Benefit.
Not honouring their Masters, not meek … nd patient under Reproof, reviling and re… roaching of 'em, defrauding of 'em, receiv… g no Instruction from 'em.
Superiors, in growing proud, disdain… l, oppressive, not doing so much Good as … heir Abilities require; abusing their Gifts … the hurt of others.
Inferiors, in hating or flattering those above them, envying of 'em, following their ill Examples.
Teachers, in neglecting Opportunities of Instructing and Reforming others by Counsel or Example. (Omitting Ministers Sins)
People, Not having an high Estimation of, and endeared Love for their Ministers, for their Works sake; not diligent in Attendance upon the Word preach'd, and other Ordinances.
Not communicating to them of their Temporals, 1 Cor. 9. 14. Gal. 6. 6. not praying for 'em.
Ʋnteachable, disobeying them that have the Oversight of 'em, grieving them, discouraging them, not profiting by 'em.
Magistrates, Not promoting the Interest of Religion.
Not promoting Reformation-Work, nor encouraging them that do; not Encouraging them that do well.
Seeking their own, rather than the Common Interest.
Oppressing the People, making unjust Laws, not Executing just Ones; suffering Injustice, Oppression, Murther, Irreligiousness, Atheism and Profaneness, to go unpunished.
Bribery, Rigor, Lenity, Covetuousness, respecting Persons, not protecting the Worshippers of God and the Vertuous.
Subjects speaking Evil of Rulers, raising ill Reports of them, misconstruing their Actions; Disobedience to their just Commands.
Denying just Tribute, Rebellion, Sedition, not praying for, not Esteeming and Honouring of them.
Against the Sixth Commandment.
Either,
1. Against the Body: Murther, Causeless Fighting, Violence, aptness to entertain great Prejudices and Mis-conceits against others.
Rash immoderate and lasting Anger, Injurious and Revengeful Thoughts, secret Grudges, Hatred, Implacableness.
Not forgiving and forgetting, biting Jests, insolent, reviling, scoffing and provoking Words or Actions, making Discord and Strife.
Senseless and Hard-Hearted towards Others in their Miseries and Losses: Where we are not immediately concerned, deriding Men in Misery, rejoycing at their Misery.
Reproaching the Dead, destroying our own Healths by Intemperance in eating, immoderate Passions, excessive Drinking, thereby indisposing of our selves for the Duties incumbent on us.
2. Against the Soul: Wounding, and Murthering the Souls of Others by misguiding, grieving, provoking and counselling of 'em to Sin, defending them in it, conniving at, not reproving them for Sin.
Not being an Example to them, not Instructing the ignorant we converse with:
Not comforting the weak, not admonishing, exhorting, encouraging others unto Welldoing.
Careless of our own Souls; forgetting to prepare for another World, take up with the Enjoyments of this.
Wishing for Death through Impatience, laying Violent Hands on our selves.
Against the Seventh Commandment
By
All Acts of Uncleanness, either by our selves, or with others; as Buggery, Sodomy, Rape, Incest, Poligamy, Unnatural Filthiness of one Woman with another, Rom. 1. 26. Self-pollution, Gen. 38. 9.
Putting away a Wife, not for Fornication Marrying one unjustly put away. Marrying ones self after he hath unjustly put away his Wife.
Fornication. Adultery. Heart-adultery. Minds full of Unchast Thoughts and Desires. Cherishing in our selves any Lustful Desires, Passions, Looks, Gestures, Postures and Glances, Mat. 5. 28.
Delighting our Thoughts in the Fancy, Speculation, or inward Contemplation of Lusts, sleeping or waking, though without Purpose to Commit 'em.
Not Careful to quench our Fleshly Concupiscence, by Vigilency over our own Hearts and Ways.
Not Avoiding Evil Company, and such other Occasions as may inflame us. Frequenting Stage-Plays, and such Theatrical Shews where Sin and Vanity are Encouraged.
Not Studying to be more Moderate in our Delights, Modest in our Carriages, avoiding Lascivious Dancing or Pictures, wanton Dalliances and immodest Amours.
Not being Temperate in our Dyet, Diligent in our Callings.
Our Eyes being full of Adultery.
Our Ears willingly open to Filthy and Unclean Communications.
Our Tongues given to Rotten and Unsavoury Speeches, and We not Careful to Avoid all Suspitions and Appearances of Sin.
Against the Eighth Commandment.
By
The Gross Acts of Theft, Oppression, Simony, Deceit, Oppressive Usury from the Poor and Helpless, Sacriledge, Bribery, Prodigality, Stealing Children, receiving Stolen Goods, Detaining what is stray'd.
Being Discontented with our Estates and Conditions, greedy of Gain, full of restless and insatiable Desires after these Earthy Riches, Profits and Vanities.
Negligent in our Callings, idle, slothful and sluggish, or else hasting to be Rich by unlawful Means, over-reaching and fraudulent Dealing.
False to Words or Promises, through Dissimulation dealing falsly with a Friend to betray him.
With-holding what is any way due to any Body, rigorously recovering our own.
Inordinate in the Use of these things which we enjoy, too sparing and nigardly to good Purposes, to Objects of Charity.
Too lavish in sinful, scandalous and unnecessary Expences, as in Recreations, Apparel, Pomp, Company-keeping.
Not honouring God with our Substance.
Covetuousness, Love of Money the Root of all Evil, seeking great Things for our selves, envying our Neighbours Prosperity.
Not looking at the Blessing of God on our Diligence, but trusting to our own Wisdom and Industry.
Against the Ninth Commandment.
In,
Lying, Bearing false Witness, concealing the Truth, when it would do good to publish it, being silent in Defence of others.
Reviling and slandering others, spreading the Faults of others, when it no ways concerns us, or is not like to benefit them or others.
Entertaining and Encouraging Back-biters, speaking the Truth in Malice.
Being Tale-bearers, Scoffers, apt to listen to any Report tending to the Defamation of others, rejoycing at bad Reports of Others.
Moddling in others Matters not concerning us, credulous to flying Reports that are bad.
Ʋncharitably suspicious, interpreting good things ill, and doubtful things in the worst sense.
Not admonishing our Friends and Neighbours of, or rebuking them for what blemishes their Good Name or Credit, according to our Callings and Opportunities.
Neglecting our own Credit, not minding to be so good as we seem, not seeming so good as we should.
Not avoiding the Appearance of Evil, which looks like Sin.
Depressing the Reputation of others to advance our own, more forward to mention the Infirmities than the Vertues of our Neighbour, flattering, and over-magnifying their good Deeds.
Against the Tenth Commandment.
Being discontented with our own Condition, murmuring and repining, vexing and fretting, quarrelling and complaining of our Condition.
Envying and grieving at our Neighbour's Good, Gifts, Strength, Beauty, Wealth, Prosperity, Esteem, Honour, &c.
Want of a God-like Charity towards our Enemies, Neighbours, and what they have.
Secretly and inordinately desiring what is theirs, evil Desires towards them, mindful of evil Fancies, rising from our corrupt Natures.
Apt to entertain sinful Suggestions from Satan.
Keeping close, and rolling in our Thoughts with Delight, any Evil Imaginations, though our Minds (perhaps) do not assent to act them.
2. Against the Gospel:
As,
1. Unbelief, Not labouring after Acquaintance with God, the Duties, Promises and Priviledges of the Gospel, weak in assenting to the Truths there revealed.
Wavering in Fundamentals, not believing that God is One in Three, and Three in One, that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, are this One God, 1 Iohn 5. 7.
That as the Father hath Life in himself, so he hath given to the Son to have Life in himself, Iohn 5. 26.
Not believing Jesus of Nazareth to be the only begotten of the Father, that he was sent into the World by the Father, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have Everlasting Life, Acts 10. 38. Iohn 3. 16, 17, 18.
That Christ is the Author of Eternal Salvation to them that obey him, Heb. 5. 9.
Not believing that there is a Heaven and a Hell, Eternal Rewards and Punishments after this Life, according to the Good or Evil Lives of Men, 2 Thes. 1. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.
Not believing the Resurrection of the Dead, 1 Cor. 15. 42, 43, 44.
Not believing that God will judge the World, on the Day he hath appointed, in Righteousness, by that Man whom he hath ordained, Acts 17. 21.
Not admiring, and valuing the Love of God, in the Redemption of Souls by Christ, preferring drossy Vanities before him and his Love.
Not living by Faith in any Condition, living by Sense, apt to trust God no farther than our Reason leads us, without Revelation.
Drooping in Adversity, not content to want what God sees Good to with-hold.
Apt to rely on our own Righteousness for Acceptance with the Father, loth to come wholly out of our selves, to be saved wholly by Christ.
Not owning him in his Person, Offices or Work.
Not willing to accept of him as our Lord, to be ruled and disposed of by him, to accept of him as our Mediator and Saviour.
Not desirous to acquaint our selves with him, preferring other Knowledge before the Excellent Knowledge of Christ Jesus the Lord.
Not believing our lost Condition without him, and ignorant of the New Covenant, and the Way of Salvation by a Mediator.
Treading under foot the Son of God, profaning the Blood of the Covenant.
Doing what we can to make Christ's Passion of none Effect, and not glorying alone in Christ and him crucified.
Not thirsting after, relying on, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Resisting, grieving, rebelling against, and quenching his awakening, quickening, comforting Spirit of Grace.
2. Impenitency, Pretending we have no sin, not seeking after our sins; justifying, excusing and apologizing for, extenuating, lessening and hiding of, some pleasant and delightful Sins.
Not affected with Grief and Heart-breakings for sins.
Being more affrighted at the Evil coming by Sin, than at Sin, as Sin; as a daring Contradiction to the pure Will of God, an Unkindness against an Obliging God, and a Departing from our God and Happiness.
Loth to resolve against our sweet Sins, procrastinating and putting off our Purposes against sin, purposing against some, and reserving others.
Not striving to make good our Resolutions.
Not improving all Advantages for the subduing and avoiding of Sins, and the occcasions of 'em.
Making a custom of sinning, taking delight, hardning the Heart to, and glorying in sin, fretting because cross'd in it.
Backward to comply with the Calls and Invitations of the Gospel, delaying to come unto, and shutting the Heart against Christ Jesus our Lord.
Despairing of God's Mercy, or thinking he cannot, or will not pardon us, upon sincere Repentance, 1 Iohn 1. 7. Heb. 7. 25.
Not living wholly to, and upon Christ, not loving him with a sincere and transcendent Love.
Not doing all our Works in his Name, and offering all our Gifts and Duties to God through him.
Not having our Hearts and Affections in Heaven, where he is.
Not submitting to his Authority as our Supream Law-giver, not receiving the Law at his Mouth, not making the Gospel the Rule of our Lives and Actions.
Ʋnthankfulness for Jesus Christ, (that transcendent Gift of God) and his Gospel, for the Messengers, Priviledges and Liberty of it.
Barrenness under these Means of Salvation, receiving much, and returning little.
Not loving one another, as Christ loved us, loving our own Image more than Christ's.
Confining Religion to a Party, condemning all that are not of our Way and Opinion.
Neglect of Gospel-Ordinances, not having a due Value for 'em, not preparing for, profiting by, nor living suitable to them.
Turning the Grace of God into Lasciviousness, either by entertaining corrupt Notions of the Nature and End of it, or not being duely imprest by the Principles and Holy Doctrines of it.
These are many of the kinds of Sin in General, but as to the particular multiply'd Acts of all, or any of these kinds, who knows how oft he offends.
FINIS.
End of the text · John Woodhouse, A Catalogue of Sins (1699)