THE BEGINNING OF THE DOCTRINE of CHRIST. OR A Catalogue of sins, showing how a Christian may find out the evils he must take notice of in his Repentance.  
With Rules, that show a course, how any Christian may be delivered from the guilt and power of all his sins.  
By N. BIFIELD Preacher of God's Word, at Isleworth in Middlesex.  LAM. 3. 40. Let us search and try our ways, and turn again unto the Lord. 
LONDON, Printed by G. P. for R. Rounthwaite, and are to be sold at his Shop in Paul's Churchyard, at the sign of the Flower de-luce and Crown. 1619.   

TO THE MUCH Honoured Ladies, the Lady ANNE GLEERE, and the Lady ANNE FINCH, and the Lady JOAN HERICK, N. Bifield wisheth all increase of the true grace of Christ, and the blessed fruition of the glory of God in Heaven.  
Worthy Ladies,  
LAmentable are the ruins, into which the natures of men are generally fallen by their sins; which appears especially by the ways men take in the business of their soul: The most men are clean out of the way to heaven, and walk in by-ways of their own, which are called in Scripture, the ways of the wicked; the ways of their own hearts; Perverse ways; Dark and slippery ways; The way of iniquity: All meeting in that broad way that leadeth to destruction, being wholly ignorant of the way of life and peace; yea, the most of them speak evil of the good way of God, and persecute it. Some there are, that are so far enlightened, as not to like the common roade-way of the multitude; and after some inquiry have found them out ways that seem good in their own eyes; and they are wonderfully well pleased with their course, but the issues of these ways are death too, as well as the former: and the more is this danger increased upon men, because the way of life is but one, and it is a narrow way, and hard to find, and may be sought by many, and yet not found: Yet this hope is left unto forlorn men, that there is a way to heaven and happiness: A way of righteousness and peace, a way of mercy and truth, of wisdom: A way that men may securely and safely walk in; a way, in which Christ will guide them, God the Father will keep them, and the holy Ghost lead them by the hand, and direct them in all the passages thereof: Only it concerneth us to ask the way, with all importunity, of God, and to attend unto the directions of the word of God, and apply our hearts, and suffer ourselves to be disposed aright, that our eyes may see the salvation of God: and in particular we must look to three things: First, that if the Lord show us that mercy to direct us in the way, we must take heed that we neglect not, or despise not the care of walking in the way: Secondly, that with all diligence we avoid going about, and make strait steps to our feet: and thirdly, with all fear watch ourselves, that we fall not off with the errors of the wicked, from the good way of God, and so our latter end be worse than our beginning.  
I have undertaken by the assistance of God, and the directions of his blessed Word, to single out the choicest things I could find in the Scriptures, concerning the entrance into this way of God, and those first paths which are called holy. The substance of these directions I have digested into the Treatise following, which I dedicate unto your Ladyships, as a testimony of my thankfulness, for the respect you have showed unto my ministery, both in your constant resort unto it in the week days, while you lived in a neighbour Parish; and in that two of you are pleased to come to live amongst us, and so are become a part of my charge; as also to manifest to the world my observance of your Ladyships, for the good report you have amongst the godly for the grace of jesus Christ, and your unfeigned love of the truth: Beseeching your Acceptation, Perusal, and Patronage of these, I take my leave, and commend your Ladyships to the God of mercy and truth, who guide, comfort, deliver, sanctify, and preserve you all unto the Day of jesus Christ.  
Your Ladyships to be commanded in Christ jesus, N. BIFIELD. Febr. 12. 1619.   

The chiefest things contained in the first BOOK.  

CHAP. I.  
THE Contents of all the six Treatises, briefly set down, pag. 1. to the 11  
The persons whom those Treatises concern, pag. 11. 12  
Encouragement to the study of those things, p. 13. to 18  
General directions by way of preparation, p. 18. to 22   

CHAP. II.  
THe rules that show distinctly what men must do about their sins. p. 22 to 59  
Motives to persuade to the care of these rules. pag. 23. 24  
Three rules of preparation. pag. 24. 25. 26  
Four things deliver us from all sins past. p. 27  
About the gathering of the Catalogue of sins. p. 27. to 35  
About the confession of our sins. p. 35. to 38  
About sorrow for our sins, and how it may be attained. p. 38. to 43  
About the application of the promises, and how it may be done. p. 43. 44. 45. to 51  
The special promises made to such as have confessed and sorrowed for their sins. p. 46. 47. 48  
How men may know, whether their confession and sorrow for their sins be right or no. p. 52. 53. 54  
Three sorts of men may profit by these Directions. p. 55  
Other uses of the Catalogue of sins. p. 56  
The misery of such as will not be advised to take a sound course about their sins. p. 57   

CHAP. III.  
THE sins against the whole Law; where, of original sin, ignorance, procrastination, vainglory, security, hypocrisy, self-love, inconstancy, etc. p. 59 to 67   

CHAP. FOUR  
THE division of the sins against the first Table, and the sorts of sins against God's Nature.  
Seven monstrous offences. pa. 68 69  
Of natural Atheism, pag. 70. 71. and Epicurism. p. 72  
Of the defects of grace, and the mis-placing of our affections. p. 7●. 7●  
How many ways men sin against the mercy of God, pag. 74. 75. and the fear of God, pag. 78. 79. and the trust in God. pag. 80   

CHAP. V  
HOw many ways men offend against the means of God's worship.  
How many ways men offend.  
By not worshipping. p. 83. 84  
By will-worshipping. p. 85. 86  
By Idol worshipping. p. 87. 88   

CHAP. VI  
HOw many ways men sin against the manner of God's worship.  
Offences that may be committed in the manner of doing any part of God's service. pag. 91  
Sins in hearing. p. 92  
Sins in prayer. p. 93  
Sins about the Sacraments. p. 94  
Sins about an oath. p. 95   

CHAP. VII.  
Sins about the time of God's worship.  
The secret offences against the Sabbath. p. 96  
The open breaches of the Sabbath. p. 97   

CHAP. VIII.  
THE divisions of the sins against the second Table.  
The sins 

Of wives and husbands. p. 101  
Of children and parents. p. 102. 103  
Of servants and Masters. p. 105 106  
Of Subjects and Magistrates. p. 107  
Of Hearers and their Ministers. p. 108     

CHAP. IX.  
Sins against the persons of men;  
1. By omission. p. 100  
2. By commission; where  
The sins internal. pa. 111. to 116  
The sins external:  
In gesture. p. 116  
In words. p. 117. 118  
In works. p. 119. 120. 121  
How we sin against the bodies of men. p. 122  
How against the souls of men. p. 123. to 128   

CHAP. X.  
THE sins against chastity.  
In the gross acts. p. 129. 130  
In the thoughts and affections, and senses and gestures, and words. p. 131  
The occasions of uncleanness. p. 132. 133. 134   

CHAP. XI.  
Sins against the estates of men:  
Internal. p. 136  
external:  
Of omission. p. 137. 138  
Of commission, where the several ways of stealing. pag. 139. 140. with the aggravations, to p. 145   

CHAP. XII.  
Sins against the good names of men.  
By omission. p. 146  
By commission:  
Internally. p. 147  
Externally. pa. 148: to 153   

CHAP. XIII.  
OF the sins without consent. p. 154   

CHAP. XIIII.  
HOw many ways men offend against the Gospel.  
Sins against Christ. pag. 156. 157  
Sins against repentance. pag. 158. 159  
Sins against faith. page 160  
Sins against the Spirit of grace. pag. 161    

THE PREFACE to the Reader, containing the scope of all the six Treatises, and certain General things, which by way of Introduction belong unto them all.  
FOR thy sake (Christian Reader) I have been willing to prepare for the Press six little Treatises, which may inform thee of six things of the greatest consequence, that I know can concern thee in this life; & though I have reason to abase myself in the acknowledgement of mine own frailty, and insufficiency for these things, yet thou hast cause to awaken to the consideration of the matter, which so nearly concerneth thee, using the help of this labour, till God afford thee better helps from more able instruments. The matter in all of them is so necessary, that I know not which of them thou mayst safely neglect.  
1. The first thing which any man, disposing himself 
The Contents of this Treatise.  for the kingdom of God, will, and aught to inquire after, is, What he should do to be rid of those many sins he hath been, and is guilty of: rid (I say) from the guilt & danger of them, and from the power and dominion of them. For the satisfaction of thy Conscience in this most needful question, I have in this first Treatise gathered for thee, out of the whole Bible, a Catalogue of those sins, which in our repentance God will have with special notice to be confessed and avoided: and these sins I have set down, as near as I could, in the express words of the Text, that thou mightest see the Lord himself describing thy offences, and so mightest have no excuse or doubt to imagine, that it was but the judgement of some men, that made such things to be thought to be sins. By this course of surveying the whole Scriptures, I have both found out divers particular offences plainly proved to be so, which I could not observe to be mentioned in any exposition of the commandments which I had, and also divers things proved clearly to be sins, which were only barely affirmed to be so in other writers. I have likewise plainly showed thee by express Scriptures, what course thou mayst distinctly take to be rid of thy sins, a course that cannot fail thee, being grounded on the most evident directions, which God himself hath prescribed unto thee, if thy own slothfulness and procrastination, or wilful perverseness hinder thee not; and I doubt not, but by experience thou wilt confess, the course is comfortable and easy, considering the great benefit and rest thou mayst bring to thy Conscience thereby.  
2. The second thing a 
The Contents of the second book.  man would desire to be satisfied in, (that hath been entered into the practice of Repentance) is, How he might come to be infallibly assured, concerning God's favour, and his own salvation; and for answer hereunto, I have in the second Treatise gathered out of the Scriptures, signs of Gods own making, by which men may try their estate, and these such, as both describe wicked men, not yet in Christ, and such, as describe godly men, that shall certainly be saved: and withal, I have now added directions, how by the help of those signs men may fettle their assurance, and how such, as yet want those signs, may attain them.  
3. The third thing every 
The Contents of the third book.  Christian ought to seek satisfaction in, is this, How a man, that hath attained unto the assurance of salvation, when he dies, may comfort and establish his heart against all the miseries and distresses, which may, and will befall him in this life before his death; and to this end I have gathered out of the whole Scriptures those admirable consolations, which may be abundantly sufficient to uphold him with much joy in the worst estate can befall him; and this is done in the Treatise which I call the Promises.  
4. The fourth question a 
The Contents of the fourth book.  careful Christian, that hath thus found out the gain of godliness, would ask, is this, What he should do in the whole course of his life to glorify God, who hath thus loved him, and given his Son to die for him, and purchased such a glorious Inheritance for him; and for answer hereunto, I have likewise out of the Scripture garhered the rules of Life, which will show him distinctly, how he should carry himself both towards God, and towards men in all parts of his life; how he should behave himself at home and abroad, in company, and out of company, etc. and all this showed him by the express words of the Scriptures.  
5. In the fift place, If a man ask himself what yet he wants that is necessary for his state, he may, and aught to bethink himself of this question; What are these necessary truths, which God hath absolutely tied him to know and believe, without which he cannot be saved, and which are fundamentally needful for him. To this end I have collected a fift Treatise, the principles of which are an extract out of all the Doctrine of religion, of such truths in every part of religion, as a man is bound of necessity to know; and this I have not only proved by Scripture, but showed what uses he may put such knowledge to, all the days of his life.  
6. The sixth & last thing which ought to be inquired after, is, how a man thus fitted to live the life of God, may also be cured of the fear of death; and to this end I have published that treatise of the Cure of the fear of Death: which shows plain and comfortable ways, how any Christian may deliver his heart from those fears.  
I suppose that no man 
Whom these treatises concern.  that readeth this, will conceive, that any of these are needless. And as I would advise such Christians as abound with ability and leisure, to furnish themselves with the labours of such worthy Divines, as have written of any of these subjects: so unto such Christians as have not that ability or leisure, I commend these Treatises, both for their brevity, & the distinct digesting of the things he would seek after; there being nothing of mine in these, but the labour of disposing them, the main substance of them being Gods own Word, and things devised and invented by God himself. I may lawfully commend the care and study of these things unto thee, and that with so much authority from the Lord, as to tell thee, that thou mayst not safely be negligent in any of these, if thou consider the worth of them, or thy own need.  
If thou say, that here is 
In couragements to the study of these things.  prescribed a hard task, and so many things are to be done, as may make any man afraid to meddle with directions of such variety, and number:  
I answer; that in any of these Treatises the way is not made harder than is required, or in the doctrine of the Church manifested, but rather things are made more plain, and so more easy. Besides, thou knowest already, that the way to heaven is a narrow, and strait way, and few find it. But especially thou shouldst weigh with thyself the great encouragements and motives to abide the hardship & difficulties of any godly and necessary course. Though the way to Canaan (with the Israelites) were through a solitary wilderness, yet it should comfort thee, that it is but a way of three days, as they said, being about to get out of Egypt. God will keep thee at work but a little time, and therefore thou shouldest not think much of thy pains. And further think of it, that this is a course of wonderful comfort and safety: when a Christian follows the evident directions of God's word in these most weighty things, he walks safely: He is in the good way, the way of life, the way of peace; he is sure to see the salvation of God: to follow these directions sound, is to keep our souls: all God's ways will be mercy and truth to us: God will cause us to hear his loving kindness in the morning; our way will be full of refreshing: Gods ways are ways of pleasure, and if any man set himself exactly to take notice of Gods will in these things, and will be at the pains to store his heart distinctly in such solid truths: It is certain, the Lord will recompense his way upon him, God will not cast away the exact man, till he fill his mouth with laùghter, as it is said, job. 8. 19 20. Sure it is, that in the study of these things lieth the way of eternity, and though thou think the way to be hard and narrow, yet this may somewhat ease thee; it is a plain way. For the simple may profit by it, as is avouched to be true of all the courses, which God by his Word so expressly required, Psalm 119. Isaiah 35. 8. & 42. 16. Pro. 8. and beside thou hast many helps; the Word of God will not only show thee what to do, but it will beget in thee a secret power to do it, God will teach thee to profit, and the Spirit of God will help thy infirmities; and God will send his Angels to guide thee in thy way: Christ will be the Way and the Life to thee, & thou hast good company: for this is the old way, the way of all God's servants in the substance of the course.  
Only before thou set upon 
General directions by way of preparation.  any of these directions, let me give this general advice to look to these few things.  
1. First, thou must give over, and forsake ungodly company; for else it is in vain to meddle with any religious course, as these places will show thee, Psal. 1. 1. 2. Prou. 4. 14. 15. and 9 6. and 23. 19 20. and 29. 27 Psal. 26. 2. Cor. 6.  
2. Thou must get thee into the way of good men, provide for thyself, if it be possible, the fellowship and society of godly persons, Prou. 2. 20. Isaiah. 19 23. 24. 25. For their fellowship will take away the tediousness of the way, and much preserve thee against giving over, and their examples will be as patterns for thee, and by acquaintance with them, thou wilt be brought into acquaintance with God himself, Isaiah 19 23. 24. 2. Cor. 6. 16. 17. 18. Prou. 20. 20.  
3. Thou must remember to pray unto God by all means to direct thee, and show thee thy way in all these things, thou must beg a way of God, and beseech him to remove from thee all lying and deceitful ways, Ezech. 8. 21. Ps. 119. 29. jer. 10. 23.  
4. Thou must, when thou comest to God's directions, lift up thy soul, and not give way to thy own carnal reason, and the sluggishness of thy own nature, or the deceitfulness of thy own heart: but let the Lord see thou art willing to do any thing thou canst, Ps. 143. 8. Bring a mind desirous to obey in all things. By any 
Note.  means take heed, thou be not like those complained of, Isa. 58. 2. that have a great mind to know God's ways, and to read all sorts of directions, as if they sought righteousness in a special manner of care, and yet do not follow any of the courses they so much desire to know, and seem to commend & like. If ever thou wouldst have thy soul to dwell at ease, choose out for thyself those ways which GOD doth teach thee, Psalm. 25. 12. 13. Let the Lord know, that if he will be pleased to teach thee a sure way, thou wilt walk in his paths; & to that end, beforehand beseech him to unite thy heart to his fear, Psal. 86. 11. Thou shouldst be of David's mind to say, O that my ways were directed to keep God's statutes, and then thou wonuldest resolve to keep them, Psalm. 119. 58.  

CHAP. II.  
Showing what rules he must observe, that would be delivered from his sin.  
HItherto in General. The first thing then to be done by that Christian that would settle himself in a sound course, to lay as it were, the foundation of his salvation, is to practise those rules that may deliver him from the horrible danger and distress he is in, in respect of all the power of all the sins he hath hitherto committed.  
If he consider of the 
Motives.  dreadful curses which he is liable unto in respect of all his sins, he ought not to think it much to undergo the hardest task can be enjoined, to make himself capable of the grace of God, and pardon for so many offences. And therefore with so much the more willingness, and unchangeableness of religion should he with much desire set upon these rules now to be given, seeing they are but few in number, and such as he may perform by the grace of God, with much ease and comfort, and the more may he encourage his own heart, because when he hath done, he may clearly see he hath done distinctly that which God required of him, and that, with which he is satisfied through Christ. But before he set upon the practice of these rules, he must in judgement be thoroughly resolved of three things. 
3. Things he must be resolved of in his judgement.   
1. That jesus Christ hath made a full & sufficient satisfaction for the sins of all men: As he became a sacrifice for him, he paid a price in his blood, sufficient to redeem us, Ephes. 1. 6. He is the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sins of the world, joh. 1. 1. Pet. 18. 19 Ephes. 1. 10.  
2. That God is well pleased with this satisfaction made by Christ for our sins, which he declared by that voice from heaven, Mat. 3. & 17, etc. Yea, he hath set Christ forth in the view of all men, as the propitiation for their sins, Rom. 3. 25. and hath sent us the Word of reconciliation, and beseecheth us by the Word to be reconciled, 2. Cor. 5. 19  
3. That thou mayst attain unto this redemption by Christ, if thou wilt practise those things which are required of thee: and this thou mayst be assured of, both because Christ is said to take away the sins of the world, and because God offers this reconciliation in the Gospel, to every creature, and exempts none; and because the Apostle saith, If any man sin, he may have an Advocate with the Father, even jesus Christ the rightèous; and beside, thou feelest the Spirit of God knocking at the door of thy heart, and would come in, john 1. Mark 16. 1. john 2.  
When thou hast thus prepared thyself by these 
If we do 4. things, we are rid of the danger of all sins past.  three resolutions, then if thou do these 4. things following, thou mayst be sure to be clearly rid of all danger that can any way befall thee for thy sins past, though they were never so many, or great.  
1. The first rule concerns 
1 Make a Catalogue of thy sins  the examination of thyself, & it is this: Thou▪ must make thee a Catalogue of all the sins thou canst discern by thyself, and be sure thou do this seriously, and effectually; and for this purpose retire thyself into some secret place, and set thyself in God's presence; and then call to mind all the sins thou canst remember by thyself particularly, writ them down as they come to thy mind; ask thyself this question: What have I done all the days of my life, which if I were now to die, would fear me, if they were not forgiven? Take the answer to this question, as thy sins come to thy mind, till thou canst remember no more, so as thou couldst in the sincerity of thy heart say, that thou dealest plainly before the Lord, & dost not hide any fault, and out of the liking thou hast to any sin, dost not forbear to set it down.  
Trouble not thy head with the thought of any other thing, till this be done: and thou needest not care for order or phrase in setting it down, but do it in such words as thou hast to utter it in, and be sure to spare none of thy special known sins, but let the Lord see, that thou art as willing to indite thyself for them in his presence, as thou art willing he should forgive them. When thou hast in this manner taken a particular notice of thy sins, then look upon the Catalogue following, and examine thyself distinctly by it. For this Catalogue will be like a Looking-glass from all parts of God's Law, to show thee thy offences, and so thou mayst observe, what faults thou couldst not find, or remember by thy private examination, and withal see in what phrase or order to digest thy sins. Let not thy thoughts trouble thee, but cheerfully endure this trial of thyself, and take heed thou do it not cursorily, but take time enough, and so thou mayst, if thou wilt only take one of the Chapters, or two of them, as they lie in the Catalogue, and no more in a day, till thou come to the end of the Catalogue, neither needest thou to trouble thyself about such sins, as thou dost not clearly see that thou art guilty of, but take only such, as thou art most sure thou hast offended in: It is enough in the practice of Repentance, to take particular notice of known and apparent evils. A general acknowledgement will serve for the rest: If thou think thy sins be 
How our sins are innumerable.  innumerable, and so cannot be gathered into a Catalogue, understand, that the acts of sin are innumerable, but not the kinds of sin. There is no sin, but it is condemned in the Scripture: and if there were as many sins, as there be lines in the Scripture, yet they might be numbered; and therefore that speech of David, that his sins were innumerable, must be understood of the acts of sin; for he might in one sin be guilty of innumerable acts: as if it were a sin in thought, it might be committed oftener, than can be by us numbered; But in repentance, it is enough to humble ourselves for the several kinds of sins we have been guilty of, which will not be so many, but they may easily be numbered. The several acts of the same sin serve but as a general aggravation of the offence: Only in this 
Look to 2. things.  examination look to two things. The one, that thou beseech God by prayer, to show thee the sins are most displeasing unto him. The other is, that thou take heed thou leave not out any special known sins, because else, those sins so spared, may buffet thee a long time after thou hast finished this course; and beside, they may get head and prevail against thee in practice, if by this course they be not brought under.  
Now that thou oughtest 
The proof  thus seriously to examine and call to mind thy sins, and that this is one of the things God requireth of thee to be distinctly done, these places of Scripture do evidently prove, and withal show, that GOD doth take even this beginning of thy Repentance well, Lamen. 3. 40. Psal. 4. 4. Ezech. 16. 43. 61. & 20. 43. & 36. 31. jerem. 8. 6. 1. Cor. 11. Galat. 6. ●. job 11. 13. While thou art doing this thou shalt do well to do no other exercise of Religion at that time, but only attend to this.  
The second thing that 
2 Secondly, thou must confess thy sins particularly in the best words thou canst  God requireth of thee distinctly to be done, is the expression of those sins thus gathered into the Catalogue, and for the performance of this duty, set some time apart, and present thyself before the Lord: and if thy memory will not carry all the particulars 
Note.  of thy offences, take with thee the written inditement, and as Hezekiah did with his letter, spread thy Catalogue before the Lord, and then take unto thee words in the best manner thou canst, to judge thyself for those offences. Let the Lord know, that it is thy hearts desire to plead guilty to each of those sins, and in special, urge against thyself those sins, wherein thou hast more especially offended. Be not over careful for words; the Lord requireth thee but to do it in the best words thou canst; only let thy words be the true voice of thy heart, and thou mayst be sure the Lord understandeth the meaning of thy heart. Let no objection drive thee off from the practice hereof, but do it so, as thy own Conscience may witness with thee, that thou hast done it in the best manner thou canst. Now that this is a duty necessarily required, these Scriptures plainly 
The proofs.  show, Hosh. 14. 3. 4. Prou. 28. 13. Levit. 16. 21. & 26. 40. 41. job 33. 27. 28. Psalm. 32. 5. jer. 3. 12. 13. Math. 3. 6. Acts 19 18. Dan. 9 Nehem. 9 2. Rom. 10. 10. 1. Cor. 11. 1. joh. 1. 7. 9 This is the second duty.  
The third thing thou 
3 Thirdly, thou must seek godly sorrow, & not give over, till thou feel thy heart melt within thee.  must labour for distinctly, is, to conceive true mourning and sorrow for these sins thus confessed. This is that sacrifice is so wellpleasing to God, and this is every where in Scripture expressly required, & the promises fastened (divers of them) upon this condition, as these places manifestly show, Math. 5. 5. jam. 4. 9 joel 2. 12. 13. Zach. 12. 12. Isaiah 1. 16. Psalm. 31. 17. Isaiah 61. 1. 2. 3. jerem. 50. 4. jerem. 31. 18, 19 Now that thou mayst attain unto 
How it may be attained.  softness of heart, I advise thee to take this course: Resolve with thyself to set some time apart, at least once every day for this business; and when thou dost stand before the Lord with thy former mournful indictment, and while thou strivest to judge thyself, and to keep an assize upon thy own soul, beg of God to give thee that soft heart he promised, Ezech. 36. 26. beg it (I say) of God, but let thy prayers be without limitation for the time. If the Lord hear thee not the first time, yet pray for it the next time again, and so the third day, and so still, till the Lord do hear thee, and make thee feel thy heart to melt, and (if it may be) tears to trickle down thy cheeks before the Lord; yea, put on this resolution, that thou wilt never stand before the Lord for any request while this course lasts, but thou wilt remember this petition, to beseech him to give thee secret sorrow and sensible for thy sins. It may be, the Lord will hear thee at the first, or in the beginning, while thou art preparing thyself to speak unto him, or while thou callest upon him at the first or second time, but yet if he do not, persist thou: thy suit is just; & importunity will overcome the Lord: and this very desire to sorrow being resolute, is a degree of true godly sorrow. But yet, that thou mayst be sure of it, give not over, till the Lord hear the letter of thy desire, if it may be, and withal strive against the perplexities of an unquiet heart; fear not, but at time of the day which thou setst apart for religious duties, be as earnest as thou canst, and when that is done, go cheerfully about the works of thy calling. Hang not down thy head like a bulrush, as if thou must do nothing else but sigh and bemoan thyself, & show a troubled mind in all things: Even the freer and readier thy mind is, the more fit thy heart will be for this or other holy employments.  
And further know, that the use of this Catalogue is not for ever, nor do I require this special mourning all the days of thy life, but in this case of first repentance, by which the body of sin may be removed. Therefore thou oughtest so long to use the Catalogue of thy confessions of sins, till thou feel in some measure this sorrow and melting of heart, which when thou hast attained, either sooner or later, then address thyself to the fourth rule.  
The fourth rule concerns 
4. Fourthly, thou must then lay hold upon the Promises distinctly.  the application of the Promises, especially the promises of two sorts. First, such as show that God hath given jesus Christ to make satisfaction for the sins of men: and then in special, such 
2. Sorts of promises.  promises as show, that through the merits of Christ, he that hath thus confessed and felt sorrow for his sin, shall be received to favour. Now for 
How this may be done.  this purpose, thou must get thee a distinct Catalogue of promises made to such as confess their sins with sorrow and mourning, and in them thou shalt see most plainly unto how much riches and treasure this entrance unto godliness hath brought thee. For the condition of the Promises being already form in thee by this grace of God, thou mayst safely assure thy soul of so much favour from God in particular, as is expressly contained in those Promises. Mark it thou; as yet darest not claim all the prerogatives or good things contained in any Promises in Scripture, yet 
Note.  thou mayst safely lay up as treasure, so much as the Promises that concern confession and godly sorrow do assure and estate upon thee; and so thou shalt find that thou hast right in Christ already for great and rich favours, and mayst show Gods express Word to warrant thy claim, as for example, 
A taste of the particular happiness of such as have gone thus far.  God hath assured thee;  
1. That thou shalt not be damned, thou mayst rest upon it, these be plain Scriptures, 1. Cor. 11. 31. 32. job 33. 27. 28.  
2. That GOD will have mercy upon thee, and love thee freely, and take away his anger from thee, Prou. 28. 13. joel 2. 12. 13. Hos. 14. 3. 4. jerem. 31. 18. 19 20.  
3. That all thy sins are forgiven thee, 1. john 1. 7. 9 Zach. 12. 10. and so forward to the 2. verse of the 13. chapter.  
4. That GOD is at peace, and reconciled, and that thou hast a free right unto his Word, & shalt find his presence in his Word, Isaiah 57 15 16. 17. 18.  
5. That GOD will now henceforth heal thy nature of thy sinfulness, Hosh. 14. 3. 4.  
I do but instance in these few particulars; but I could wish thee to make thee a full Catalogue, and write out the words verbatim, & learn them without book, or at least study them sound to understand them, and for thy case I have set down the chief places of Scripture as they lie in order.  

Levit. 26. 41. 42. 44.  
2. Kings 22. 19 20.  
job 33. 27. 28.  
Psal. 32. 5. & 51. 17.  
Prou. 28. 13.  
Isaiah. 57 15. 16. 17. 18. & 61. 1. 2. 3.  
jerem. 31. 18. 19 20.  
Zach. 12. 10. and so forward to the second verse of Chap. 13.  
Hosh. 14. 3. 4. 5. 6.  
Math. 5. 6.  
1. Cor. 11. 31. 32.  
jam. 4. 9   
Now when thou hast written out these Promises and dost understand the 
How these promises are to be used.  meaning of them, then carry them into God's presence, as thou didst the Catalogue of sins, and now beseech God for jesus Christ's sake, to incline thy heart to believe these promises of Grace; and to this end pray unto God from time to time, till the Lord be pleased to let thee feel life in the Promises, or a clear persuasion; & withal beseech God by the Spirit of Promise from Heaven, to seal up thy interest herein; and if thou feel the joys of the holy Ghost fall upon thee in any of these Promises, O happy man that ever thou wast born to such a rich estate; I say the same of this sensible life in the promises, that I did before of godly sorrow. It may be, the Lord will hear thee at the first; if not, persist thou to beg this grace till thou obtainest it. Thou seest, forgiveness of all thy sins which thou hast confessed, is promised thee, urge the Lord with most humble deprecation to hear thee for the pardon and forgiveness of them, for the mediation sake of jesus Christ and his merits, that sits at his right hand, to make request for poor sinners that seek mercy. Now when thou hast felt the Promises to be any of them spirit & life to thee, than hast thou done this most glorious exercise, and thou hast cause to praise GOD all the days of thy life, & what thou shouldest afterward do, the Treatises following will show thee; but for thy more clear satisfaction, I will answer a question.  
Qu. Thou wilt say, I could take comfort in this course, having done these things, but that I doubt whether my confession or sorrow be right, or no. For I find, that wicked men in Scripture have confessed their sins, and mourned too.  
An. Thou mayst evidently try thy confession and sorrow, by these signs of difference.  
1. Wicked men have confessed their sins, and sorrowed, but both were compelled, whereas thine is voluntarily, and so a free-will offering.  
2. Cain and judas confessed sin, but it was not all sorts of sins, but only the capital crimes known by them, by which they had shamed and undone themselves.  
3. The sorrows of wicked men were more for the punishment, then for the sin; No wicked man can be sorry for sin, as it is sin; nor did they sorrow for all sorts of sins, but for the sins before described.  
4. Their confession and sorrows were not joined with an unfeigned desire to forsake sin; whereas this is an infallible sign of true repentance, when a man can as heartily desire that he might never commit sin, as hearty (I say) desire it, as he would that God should never impute it. When a man can say before the Lord, that there is no sin, but he doth as unfeignedly desire God to give him strength to leave it and forsake it, as he doth desire that God should forgive him, and not plague him for it: I say this is such a sign, as was never found in a wicked man in any age of the world.  
5. The confession & sorrows of the wicked were not joined with any persuasion of God's goodness, or any constant desire to find mercy with GOD in jesus Christ.  
Thus have I showed thee the directions, which concern this first and most weighty business that can concern thee.  
There are three sorts of 
This direction concerns 3. sorts of men.  men whom this direction concerns. 1. Such as never repent. 2. Such as though they have repent, yet have not the comfort and assurance of their repentance, who by following these directions, may make all out of doubt. 3. Such as after calling fall into gross sins: These have need to recover themselves by the help of these directions. The Catalogue following may serve for other uses, besides 
Other uses of the Catalogue.  this of a man's practice in his repentance at his first conversion, or after Apostasy: For  
1. As in a small Map, a man may here see the sorts of sin, and so may get knowledge quickly, what evils to avoid, which hitherto he hath not taken notice of.  
2. It may serve before the Communion, for such as would make a general survey of their sins, in discharge of that examination which the Apostle mentioneth 1. Cor. 11. For howsoever this large Catalogue be not of necessity requisite to that examination, yet unto such as have leisure and fitness, it is profitable for their more abundant satisfaction. 
The misery of such as will not be advised to take a sound course about their sins.   
To conclude, if any man that reads these presents, and is guilty to himself, that he hath hitherto taken no sound course about his sins, and yet will not be persuaded to practise these directions: Let him consider, that so long as his sins be unrepented on his part, and unremitted on God's part, the pollution of all the sins he ever committed, still cleaves unto him; so as he may justly with the Leper cry, Unclean, unclean: yea all his sins are written, as it were with a pen of iron in God's Book of remembrance, & that he is a mere stranger from all God's promises; and lives without God, and without Christ in the world, and that all he doth, even his best works are abominable to God, and that seas of wrath hang over his head, and unspeakable woe will be to him in the appearing of jesus Christ, if he prevent it not by sound and speedy repentance.   

CHAP. III.  
The division of Sins, and the Catalogue of Sin against the whole Law.  
ALl the sins mentioned and condemned in the Bible, may be cast into 4. ranks. For they are,  
1. Either sins against the whole Law, that is, such, as may be committed against any of the Commandments.  
2. Or sins against the first table of the Law.  
3. Or sins against the second table of the Law.  
4. Or sins against the Gospel.  
1. The first sort of sins are sins against the whole Law, and thus he sinneth, That is conceived in sin, 
Original sin.  Psal. 51. 5.  
That allows not the good he doth, Rom. 7. 15.  
That doth the evil he hates, vers. 15.  
That hath not goodness dwelling in him, ver. 18.  
That doth not the good he would, ver. 19  
That hath evil present, when he would do good▪ vers. 21.  
That hath a Law in his members, rebelling against the law of his mind, ver. 23.  
That hath not knowledge 
Ignorance.  to do good, jer. 4. 22. Hos. 4▪ 6. Isaiah 1. 3.  
This is aggravated.  
1. If thou refuse knowledge, and wilt not understand, job 21. 14. Ps. 36. 4.  
2. If thou walk not in the light, whilst thou hast the light, john 12.  
3. If thou hate him that instructeth thee, Amos 3. 10.  
4. If thou detain the truth for the love thou bearest to wickedness, Rom. 1. 18.  
5. That will not understand, 
Procrastination.  though the foundations of the earth be moved, Psal. 82. 5.  
That hath present occasion to do good, and yet puts it off, though but till the morrow, Prou. 3. 28.  
That seeketh his own 
Vainglory  glory, Prou. 25. 27.  
That boasteth of a false gift, Prou. 25. 14.  
That praiseth himself, Proverbs. 27. 2.  
That is pure in his own eyes, being not washed from his filthiness, Prou. 30. 12.  
That causeth others to go astray, especially the righteous, Prou. 28. 10.  
That calls evil good, or good evil, or puts light for darkness, or darkness for light, or that puts bitter for sweet, or sweet for bitter, Isaiah ●● 20.  
That changeth the ordinances, or addeth to God's Word, or diminisheth aught from it, Isai. 24. 5. Deut. 4. 2. Prou. 30. 6.  
That protects or defends others in sin, jer. 44. 15.  
That sits still, and is at 
Security.  rest in sin, Zach. 1. 11. and considers not that God remembers his wickedness, Hosea. 7. 2. and is without fear of God's judgements, Proverbs 28. 14. 1. Thessaly. 5. 6. 7.  
That receiveth not correction, 
Incorrigibleness.  but proudly hardeneth his heart, and is wilful in evil, jerem. 5. 23. Ezech. 7. 10. Hebr. 3. 15. 16.  
That fears reproach for 
Carnal fears.  well-doing, Isaiah 51. 7. or fears the displeasure of God, for breaking man's traditions, Matthew 15. 2. 9 or in things indifferent, makes conscience of sin, where there is no sin, Rom. 14.  
That doth his work to 
Hypocrisy.  be seen of men: Math. 6. and 23.  
That hath the form of godliness, but donyeth the power of it, 2. Timoth. 3. 5.  
That is a lover of himself, 
Self-love.  2. Tim. 3. 3.  
That is neither hot nor 
lukewarmness. Vncheerfulnesse.  cold, Reu. 3. 15.  
That doth not good with a joyful heart, Deut. 28. 47.  
That esteems the way of the multitude, Exod. 22. 2.  
That is not circumspect, 
Inconsideration.  but foolish and rash, and rusheth upon things without knowledge or counsel, or consideration of opportunities, circumstances, means, or end, Ephes. 5. 15. Prou. 15. 22. jerem. 8. 6.  
That is childish or unconstant, 
Inconstancy.  Ephes. 4. 14.  
That is carried about with every wind of doctrine.  
That hath a divided heart, Hos. 10. 2.  
That is mutable in his affection to godliness, Galat. 4.  
That falleth away from the truth, or goeth back, jer. 15. 6. Hosh. 6. 4. Isa. 1. 4.  
Hitherto of the sins against the whole Law.   

CHAP. FOUR  
The division of the sins against the first table: and the sorts of sins against God's nature.  
THe sins against God forbidden in the first table of the Law, are of 4. sorts.  
1. Some against his nature.  
2. Some against the means of his worship.  
3. Some against the manner of his worship.  
4. Some against the time of his worship.  
For the first, the sins against the nature of God, are of two sorts.  
1. Some more unusual and personal.  
2. Some more usual and natural.  
The more unusual sins are such, as are not found amongst Christians, except it be in such persons only, as are most monstrously visible, such as are,  
1. Blasphemy; to reproach God.  
2. Idolatry; to worship the creature.  
3. Witchcraft, or the service of the Devil.  
4. Atheism, to defend there is no God, or to desire constantly there were no God.  
5. That matchless Pride, for a man to say, he is God, or to exalt himself above all, that is called God.  
6. Heresy, to hold, after conviction, errors against the foundation of Religion.  
7. The inward hatred and loathing of GOD: It shall suffice to have thus touched these sins.  
The more usual sins, and such as are found in the most men by nature, are such as these.  
That natural Atheism 
Natural Atheism.  of which he is guilty.  
1. That customarily spends his time without God in the world, Ephes. 2. 12.  
2. That conceives Atheistical thoughts, and of such thoughts he is guilty.  
That hath inward reasonings, whether there be a God, to which his heart inclineth, Psal. 14. 1.  
That sayeth, or thinketh, God will neither do good, nor evil, or that he neither seethe, or regardeth, Isai. 29. 15. 16. Zeph. 1. 12. Ezech. 9 9 job 22. 13.  
That saith or thinketh, there is no profit in serving the Almighty, job 21. 14. & 22. 17.  
That in affliction saith or thinketh, it is impossible to be delivered, 2. King. 7. 2.  
That hath inward boilings about such things as God showeth not the reason of, job 33. 13.  
That conceives rebellious thoughts about the decrees or providence of God, Rom. 9  
Thus of natural Atheism.  
2. The second sin is Epicurism, which is showed, 
Epicurism   
By fullness of bread and idleness, Ezech. 16. 49. Phil. 3. 18.  
By living in pleasure▪ Ecclus. 11. 9 james 5, 5.  
By vanity and strangeness of apparel, Isaiah 3. Zeph. 1.  
3. The third sin, is the 
Defects.  defect of those graces, by which we should cleave unto God, and that also when we want that life of them should be in us; such are the defects of the warmth of the knowledge, love, and fear of God, & of our joying and trusting in God, Psal. 36. 1. Zep. 3. 2 Prou. 30. 1. 2. Rom. 7. These defects are the worse, by reason of our impotency, and extreme indisposition to seek to mend those things. And therefore it is an aggravation of any of these defects, that men do not stir up themselves to take hold of GOD, Isaiah 64. 7:  
4. The misplacing of 
Misplacing of our affections.  our affections in setting them upon earthly things, employing our confidence, fear, joy, or love upon the world, & the things thereof, whereby our hearts are any way alienated from God, jeremy 17, 5. Isai. 51. 7. 1. joh. 2. 15. Math. 6.  
5. Pride: And there is a fourfold pride, 
4. Sorts of pride.   
1. Arrogancy, showed  
By high looks, or indignation of spirit, Isai. 10. 12. & 16. 6.  
By fearlessness of a fall in prosperity, and that boasting hopefulness in a broken estate, Psalm. 30. 6. Isaiah 9 10. Obad. 3.  
2. The pride of life, which hath in it the secret lifting up of the heart, and glorying in friends, money, means, houses, riches, beauty, or the like, 1. john 2. 17. 2. Kings 20. 3. with 2. Chron. 32. 25.  
3. The pride of gifts, expressed,  
By great thoughts of ourselves, being wise in ourselves, Rom. 12. 16.  
By fretting with envy at the gifts and respects of others, Numb. 12. 2, 8, 9  
By being over-confident of our own innocency, job 34. 5, 6.  
By desire to pry into the secret things of God, being not content with things revealed, Deut. 29. vlt. Rom. 12. 3.  
4. Pride in sinning, and so he is guilty,  
That dares commit great evils against his knowledge.  
That seems wise in maintaining sin, Prou. 3. 7. Psa. 52. 7.  
That hardens his heart against repentance, 1. Sam. 15. 22, 23. Numb. 15. 30, 31. jerem. 16. 12▪ job 34. 37.  
That sins with affectation, that glories in it, as he that takes a pride in drunkenness, Isaiah 28. 1. 3.  
That frets, because he is crossed in sin, Prou. 19, 3. 
How many ways men sin against God's mercy.  and thus of Pride.  
6. The sixth sin is the neglect of God's mercy: & this is the more grievous offence, because mercy is the most eminent attribute of God. For the sins of this kind, worlds of men are damned in hell, joh. 3. 19  
And against God's mercy he offends,  
That asks wherein God hath loved him, Mal. 1. 2.  
That abuseth God's blessings, Hos. 10. 1. & 11. 3, 4.  
That observes not the mercy of God in his providence, Hos. 2. 8.  
That in adversity saith, God cares not for him, or hath passed over his judgements, or hath forsaken him, Isaiah 40. 28. & 49, 14.  
That inquireth not after God, Zeph. 1. 6.  
That believes not God's promises, through neglect or despair.  
That blesseth his heart against Gods threatenings, Deut. 29. 19  
That forsakes his own mercy, by trusting to lying vanities, jonah 2. 8.  
That scoffs at the signs of God's mercy, Isaiah 7. 12, 13.  
That sacrificeth to his own net, ascribing the praise to himself, Hab. 1. 16.  
That seeks not to God in his distress, 2. Chr. 16. 12.  
That says, God cannot deliver, 2. Kin. 6. 33. & 7. 2.  
That answers not when God calls, Isaiah 50. 2.  
That limits God, Psal. 78.  
That hath a spirit of bitterness through discontent, Hos. 12. 14.  
That dishonours God by his evil life, Rom. 2. 24.  
Thus of the sins against God's mercy.  
7. The seventh sin is resorting to witches, Isaiah 8. 19, 20. Levit. 20. 6. Deut. 18. 4.  
8. Eighthly, he offends, that disregards GOD'S works, Isaiah 5. 12.  
9 That lies against God, having professed to have God to be his God, Isai. 19 13. and so he doth,  
That opposeth the truth, and objects against it.  
That performs not what he promised in his sickness, or adversity, or at the Saraments.  
That falls away from the Truth.  
10. That fears not 
Offences against the fear of God.  God, or not in a right manner, and so he sinneth,  
That fears God only for reward, job 1. 9▪  
That feareth God only, because of punishment, Hosh. 3. 5.  
That is not afraid of God's presence, or threatenings, Psal. 36. 1, 2. Isai. 66. 1. jerem. 6. 10.  
That comforts not men in misery, job 6. 14.  
That meddles with changers, or the seditious, Prou. 24. 21.  
That in matter of sin is wise in his own eyes, and will not departed from iniquity, Prou. 3. 7.  
That sins, because God doth forbear to punish, Eccles. 8. 13. Psal. 50. 19  
That fears the signs of heaven, jerem. 10. 2.  
That finds any hardness of heart against God's fear, Isaiah 63. 17.  
Thus of the sins against the fear of God.  
11. That trusts not in 
Offences against the trust in God.  God, and so he offends,  
That asketh not counsel of God, Isaiah 31. 1. & 30. 1, 2. but useth carnal helps.  
That saith, There is no hope, jerem. 2. 23.  
That trusts in man, and makes flesh his arm, jer. 17. 5.  
That puts his confidence in his wealth, Prou. 10. 15. job 31. 24.  
That leans to his own understanding, Prou. 3. 5.  
That draws not near unto God in adversity▪ Zeph. 3. 2.  
That impatiently desireth death, job 7. 15.  
Thus of the sins against trust in God.  
12. That neglects communion with the godly: he hath not God for his God, that is not joined to God's people: and this is aggravated against him,  
That in contempt of godliness, goeth in the company of the wicked, job 34. 8, 9  
That reproacheth God's people, Psal. 74. 1018. Isai. 57 3, 4.  
That accounts the godly as signs and wonders, Isai 8. 18.  
That rejoiceth in their disgraces, Ezech. 25. 6.  
That forsakes their fellowship, either through carelessness and Apostasy, Hebr. 10. 25. or through schism, Isai. 65. 2, 5.  
That for malice persecutes them, or casts them out of the Church, Isaiah 66. 5.  
And thus of the sins against the nature of God.   

CHAP. V.  
Showing how men offend against the means of God's Worship.  
THe sins against the means of God's worship follow, and these are of three sorts.  
1. Not worshipping.  
2. Will-worshipping.  
3. Idoll-worshipping.  
For the first, he offends in general,  
That worships not God, Zach. 14. 17.  
That calls not upon the name of the Lord, Psal. 14. 4. Isai. 64. 7.  
That comes not to the Church, 2. Chron. 29. 6, 7.  
That prays not in his family, jer. 10. 25.  
That receiveth not the Preachers of the Gospel, Math. 10. 14.  
The aggravations are, when a man is so far from worshipping aright,  
That he offers the blind and the lame for the maintenance of God's service, Mal. 1▪ 8, 14.  
That he devours things sanctified, that should be employed for the furtherance of God's service, Pro. 20. 25.  
That forbids God's faithful Ministers to preach in the name of Christ, Acts 4. 1. Thes. 2. 16.  
That dissuades men from God's worship, upon pretence, that it is either polluted, Malac. 1. 7, 12, 13. or vain, Mal. 3. 15.  
That is wayward, or never pleased with all, or any part of God's worship, or the means thereof, Math. 11. 1.  
Thus of sins of irreligiousness, or not▪ worshipping,  
Will-worship follows, and so he offends,  
1. That deviseth any thing of himself, to the intent to serve God by it, Num. 15. 38, 39  
2. That serves God for custom, or after the old manner, making the example of Fathers, or forefathers the rule of his service, 2. Kin. 17. 34. jerem. 9 13, 14. Amos 2. 4. 1. Pet. 1. 18.  
3. That fears God after the precepts of men, Esay 29. 13.  
4. That being not a minister, doth the work of a Minister, upon pretence of necessity or devotion, 2. Chron. 26. 16.  
5. That urgeth the lesser things of the Law, and neglects the greater, Math. 23. 23.  
The aggravations are,  
To urge men's traditions with opinion of necessity, and with neglect of God's Law, Math. 15. 2, 3, 9  
To desire to be taught vain things, Isaiah 30. 9, 10, 11.  
To borrow rites and observations from the professed enemies of God, to add them as parts of God's worship, 2. Kings 17. 34. Deut. 12. 4. 13. Ezech. 11. 12.  
idol-worship follows, and so men offend either 1. inwardly, or 2. outwardly.  
Inwardly he offends, that conceives of God in the likeness of any thing created, and manifests his offence, if he direct his worship to that likeness, commanded, 2. Acts 17. 19 1. john 2. 23.  
Outwardly he offends,  
That makes an image to resemble God by it, Deut. 4. 12, 15. Esay 40. 18.  
That useth any gesture of love and reverence unto such images, by whomsoever made, Hos. 13. 2.  
That mentions the names of Idols, either by way of swearing, or Apology, Exodus 23. 13.  
That is present at the idolatrous feasts, & therefore he much more offends that is present at the service of the Idol; 1. Cor. 10 21, 22. Exod. 34. 15. Psalm 116. 8.  
That worshippeth the Image, or GOD in the Image, Commandment 2. Exod. 32. Hosh. 2. 16.  
Thus of the sins against the means of God's worship.   

CHAP. VI  
Showing how many ways men sin against the holy manner of God's worship.  
THe sins against the manner of God's worship follow.  
And because it were tedious to reckon up the several sins against each part of God's worship, because in divers things the same offences may be committed against any one of the parts of God's service: Therefore I will briefly touch the general ways of offending in the manner of any worship of God, & then more specially reckon the sins against those parts of God's worship, that are most usual, and ordinary:  
It is an offence in any 
Sins in any part of God's worship.  service due to God, to serve him  
Hypocritically; in show and not in deed, Isa. 29. 13.  
Without Repentance: to bring the love of any sin to any part of his service, Esay 1.  
Without delight & willingness, Josh. 24. 15.  
Without constancy to serve him, but by fits, Hos. 6  
Without consideration, or reverence, Eccl. 5.  
Thus in general.  
In particular,  
1. He offends in hearing 
Sins in hearing.  the Word.  
That is unteachable, Esay 28. 9, 10, 11.  
That hath Idols in his heart through Lust, or Malice, or Covetousness, Ezech. 14. 7. jam. 1. 18.  
That hears without attention, and comes for custom's sake, Eccl. 5. 1. ●●c. 33. 31, 32.  
That is not a doer of the Word, Math. 7. 26.  
2. He offends in Prayer, 
Sins in prayer.   
That prays not at all times, or with perseverance in prayer, job 27. 10. Luke 18. 1.  
That prays without understanding, or power of the Spirit, 1. Cor. 14. 15.  
That delights not in the Almighty, job 32. 26.  
That regards wickedness in his heart, Psalm. 66. 18. Prou. 21. 27. Isaiah 1. 15, 16.  
That doubts and wavers, or is discontented upon false surmises, that God heareth him not, jam. 1. 5, 6 Mal. 2. 13.  
3. He offends in the 
Sins about the Sacrament of the Lords Supper.  Sacrament of the Lords Supper,  
That discerns not the Lords Body, 1. Cor. 11.  
That examines not himself before he eats of that bread, and drinks of that cup, refusing to judge himself for known offences, 1. Cor. 11.  
That believes not the operation of God, Col. 3. 12.  
That reconciles not himself to such as he hath offended by trespassing against them, Mat. 5.  
That despiseth the Church and people of God, 1. Cor. 11.  
4. He offends in swearing,  
That swears by that 
About swearing.  which is no God, jerem. 5.  
That swears in common talk, and fears not an oath, jerem. 23. 10. Mat. 5. 34. Eccl. 9 2.  
That swears falsely, Zach. 5. 2.  
That loves false oaths, Zach. 8. 17.   

CHAP. VII.  
Which shows how men offend in breaking the Sabbath.  
HItherto of the sins against the means & manner of God's worship; the time of God's worship follows, which is principally the Sabbath.  
Now sins against the Sabbath are either more secretly, or more openly.  
More secretly he offends,  
That remembers not 
More secret offences against the Sabbath.  the Sabbath day before it come, to unload his heart of worldly cares and business.  
That longs to have the Sabbath overpast, Amos 8. 5.  
That spends the day in idleness.  
That flourisheth not according to the blessings of GOD, in respect of the means on the Sabbath day, Psal. 92. The title, with vers. 13. 14.  
That honours not the Sabbath with delight to do Gods work on that day, Esay 58. 13.  
That is unwilling to be informed concerning the authority & service of the Sabbath. This is to hide his eyes from the Sabbath as the phrase is, Ezech. 22. 26.  
More openly he offends, 
The open breaches.   
That omits public or private duties, or comes in too late, or goes out too soon, Ezech. 46. 10. Ps. 92. the title with vers. 2. Levit. 13. 3.  
That doth any manner of work on that day, Exodus 20. 10, 11. & 31. 15.  
And thus he offends,  
That sells wares, Nehem. 10. 31. & 13. 15, 20.  
That carries burdens, Nehem. 13. 15, 19 jerem. 17. 20.  
That travels abroad, Ex. 16. 24.  
Yea, he offends,  
That works in harvest on that day, Exodus 34. 22. Nehem. 13. 15.  
That works, upon pretence 
Note.  it is a light work, Exod. 16. 27, 28. & 35. 2, 3. Numb. 15. 32. Math. 12. 1. etc.  
That employs his cattle or Servants, though he work not himself, Exod. 23. 12.  
That finds his pleasures, that is, that useth recreations, Isaiah 58. 13.  
That speaks his own words, Isaiah 58. 13.  
That having power, reforms not the abuses of others against the Sabbath, Nehem. 13. jerem. 17.  
The aggravation is, to do any of these things presumptuously.   

CHAP. VIII.  
The division of the sins against the second Table; and how men offend in the Family, Church or Commonwealth.  
HItherto of sins against God.  
The sins against man are to be considered, 1. either more specially, 2. or more generally:  
More specially we offend against others in respect of that relation, wherein we stand as superiors, or inferiors to them, and so men offend,  
1. In the Family.  
2. In the Commonwealth. 
The sins.   
3. In the Church.  
In the Family,  
1. The wife offends, 
Of wives.   
That is not subject to her husband, or not in every thing, Ephesians 5. 22, 24. Hosh. 1. 12.  
That is wasteful, Prou. 14. 1.  
That is froward, Prou. 21. 9 19  
That is idle, Prou. 31.  
2. The husband offends, 
Of husbands.   
That loves not his wife, Ephes. 5. 25.  
That dwells not with her as a man of knowledge, 1. Pet. 3. 7.  
3. The child offends, 
Of children   
That disobeys his parents, Rom. 1. 30. Tit. 1. 6. Ephes. 6. 1.  
That useth any unreverent behaviour, or any way sets light by them, Commandment 5. Eze. 22. 7.  
That receiveth not rebuke or correction with submission and reverence, Prou. 13. 1. Hebr. 12. 9  
That relieves not his Parents in their wants, Math. 15. 5.  
The aggravations are,  
To despise their instructions, Prou. 15. 5.  
To discover their infirmities, Gen. 9 22.  
To despise their persons, either for deformity, or infirmity, Proverbs 23. 22.  
To shame them, or grieve them, Prou. 28. 7. & 27. 11. & 10. 1.  
To mock them, Prou. 30. 17.  
To curse them, Pro. 20. 20. & 31. 11. Exod. 21. 17.  
To smite them, Exod. 21. 15.  
To waste their estates, or chase them away from him, Prou. 19 26.  
4. The parents offend, 
Of Parents.   
In general, that bring not up their children in nurture, and instruction of the Lord, Ephes. 6. 4.  
In particular,  
That restrain not sin in them, 1. Sam. 3. 13.  
That correct them not, but leave them to themselves, Prou. 22. 15. & 23. 13. & 29. 15.  
That provoke them to wrath by immoderate correction, or rebuke, or intemperate speeches, Ephes. 6. 4.  
That provide not for them in their callings, or outward estates, or marriage, 1. Tim. 5. 8.  
5. Servants offend, 
Of servants.   
That are idle and slothful.  

That obey disorderly, as  
Without reverence and fear,  
Without singleness of heart, not as unto Christ,  
With eye-service, as men-pleasers,  
Grudgingly, and not from the heart, Ephes. 6. 5, 6, 7, 8.   
That are unfaithful, and show it, either by purloining, Titus. 2. 10. Or by carelessness, when they are such as cannot be trusted in any business, Prou. 13. 17.  
The aggravations are,  
To answer again, Tit. 2. 9 out of contempt, or sullenness, not to answer, Prou. 29. 19 job 19 16.  
To run away, Philemon.  
Through pride and folly, to seek to rule, Pro. 19 20. & 30. 22.  
6. Masters offend, 
Of Masters.   
That entertain wicked servants, Psal. 101.  
That govern their family negligently, 1. Tim. 1. 4.  
That withhold what is just and equal, in diet, wages, encouragement, etc. Colos. 4. 1. jam. 5. 4.  
That use indiscreet and immoderate threatening, Ephes. 6. 9 Thus of the offences in the family.  
In the Commonwealth.  
1. Subjects offend, 
Of Subjects.   
That speak evil of their rulers, Exod. 21. 28. Eccles. 10 vlt.  
That are disobedient to them, Rom. 13.  
That pay not tribute or custom, Rom. 13.  
That rebel, or are seditious, 1. Tim. 3.  
2. Magistrates offend, 
Of Magistrates.   
That oppress the people by exactions, or otherwise, Prou. 28. 15. Ezech. 45. 9  
That make unjust laws, or execute not just laws, Esay 10. 1. jer. 5. 1. Mich. 3. 9  
That are unrighteous in judgement, either by bribery, or lenity, or rigour, or covetousness, or wresting the Law, Leuit. 19 15.  
In the Church,  
1. The people offend, 
Of hearers.   
That pay not their tithes, or contributions, Malac. 1. 1. Cor. 9 Gal. 6.  
That subject not themselves, but disobey them that have the oversight of them, Heb. 13. 17.  
2. The Ministers offend, 
Of Ministers.   
That preach not, or not constantly: but more of their sins afterwards amongst the sins against the souls of men.   

CHAP. IX.  
Of the sins against man's person.  
THus of the sins against man, considered more specially.  
More generally man sins against man,  

Either with consent of his will,  
Or without consent.   
The sins with consent are,  

Either against the person of man,  
Or the purity of man,  
Or the possessions and state of man.   
Or the name and praise of man.  
The sins against the persons▪ of men are  

Either against the whole persons,  
Or against their souls,   
Or against their bodies.  
The sins against the persons of men generally considered, are  
Either by Omission,  
Or by Commission.  
1. By Omission he offends,  
That pities not the afflicted, job 6. 14.  
That relieves not the afflicted, 1. john 3. 17. Math. 25. job 31. 19  
That is implacable, and will not forgive, Rom. 1. 29. jam. 2. 13.  
The aggravations are,  
To profess to take no charge of his brother, Gen. 4. 9  
To stop his ears at the cry of the poor, Pro. 21. 23.  
To estrange ourselves from the very servants of God in their misery, Psal. 38. 11.  
2. By Commission men sin, 1. either outwardly, 2. or inwardly.  
Inwardly he offends,  
1. That envies his neighbour, Gal. 1. 20. either  
For his wealth▪ Gen. 26. 14.  
For his respect with others, Gen. 37. 11.  
For his gifts, Num. 11. 27, 28. 1. Cor. 3. 3.  
The aggravations are,  
So to envy others, as to desire their restraint, Num. 11.  
To envy the very wicked, especially so, as to desire to partake of their delights, Prou. 24. 1.  
2. That is angry unadvisedly, Math. 5.  
The aggravations.  
To be hasty to anger, Ecclus. 7. 9 Prou. 14. 17, 29.  
To continue long in anger, Amos 1. 11.  
To rage & be confident without fear or care, Prou. 14. 16.  
To be incensed against the servants of God, and strive with them, Esay 41. 11  
To make friendship with the angry man, Pro. 22. 24, 25.  
3. That hates & is malicious, which sin is not avoided, though the person thou hatest  
Be poor, jam. 2. 6.  
Be infirm, and have many weaknesses, Mat. 18. 10.  
Yea, though they sin, Leuit. 19 17, 18.  
The aggravations are,  
To increase in anger and hatred upon every occasion, Gen. 37. 8. Eze. 25. 15.  
To wish a curse to others job 31. 30.  
To rejoice at their destruction, Prou. 24. 17. job 31. 29.  
To recompense evil, Pro. 24. 29.  
Not to be satisfied with the trouble of those, whom he pursueth, job 19 22.  
That hates righteous men, and shows it,  
By wishing their evil, Psal. 40. 14.  
By rejoicing at their hurt, Psal. 35. 26.  
By gathering sinful surmises into his heart, when he comes amongst them, and then telling them, when he comes abroad, Psal. 41. 6.  
By judging uncharitably of their afflictions, Ps. 41. 8.  
Especially, that hates them for this reason, because their works are better than his, 1. john 3. 12. & 2. 11.  
4. That vexeth himself with worldly sorrow, and causes distractions, Prou. 17. 22. 2. Cor. 7. 10. and useth crying, Ephes. 4. 31.  
The aggravations are,  
To refuse comfort, Ps. 17. 7.  
To wish his own death, Num. 14. 2. job 3. jonah.  
Thus of the sins internal. The external sins are,  

Either in gesture,  
or in words,  
or in works.   
1. In gesture men offend by shaking of the head, sharpening of the eyes, casting down of the countenance, putting out of the finger, gnashing of the teeth, job 16. 4, 9 Esay. 58. Psal. 35. 19 & 37. 11. & 12. 5 Gen. 4.  
2 In words he offends, that speaks evil of any man, Tit. 3. 2. Mat. 5. whether it be  
By censuring, Rom. 14. 10. jam. 4. 11. Galat. 5. 15.  
Or by reviling or reproaching, Math. 5.  
Or by any kind of piercing bitter words, Pr. 12. 8.  
Yea it is an offence, to Render reviling for reviling, 1. Pet. 3. 9  
To whisper evil of others, though never so secretly, Psal. 41. 7.  
To wrest the words of others for evil, Psal. 56. 1.  
The aggravations are,  
1. To speak evil of dignity, Jude 8.  
2. To reproach God's servants, this is blasphemy, Colos. 3. 8. and it is worse when men tear their names, Psal. 35. 15. and it is increased▪ when men revile God's Ministers, 1. Cor. 4. 3. 2. Kings 2. 23.  
3. To curse the deaf, or put a stumbling block before the blind, Leuit. 19 14.  
4. To deride men in misery, job 3. 1.  
5. To take a pleasure in brawling and contention, james 4. 1. Psalm 52. 4.  
6. To have a mouth full of cursing and bitterness, Rom. 3. 14. james 3. 9 and an habit of frowardness & perverseness of lips, Pro. 4. 24. and an unruly tongue that cannot be tamed, jam. 3. 8.  
7. To boast of his mischief herein, Psal. 52. 1.  
8. To complain of his neighbour in all places, and to be given to it, jam. 5. 9  
Thus he offends in words▪  
3. In works he offends.  
1. In general, that practiseth any way the hurt of the persons of others, either by fraud or violence. The aggravations of hurtful practices are,  
1. To add affliction to the afflicted, Psal. 96. 26.  
2. To deal unfaithfully with our friend, and to betray him, Psal. 41. 9  
3. To practise against the righteous, or any way to trouble them, Psalm. 37. 12. 14. 2. Thessal. 1. 6. and this receiveth increase of aggravation.  
If thou practise against them because they follow goodness, Psal. 38. 19  
If thou wrong them, when thou hast received good from them: Psalm 38. 20. and the worse, if thou do it daily, Psalm 56. 1.  
If thou mark their steps, waiting for occasion to bring evil upon them, Psal. 38. 12. & 56. 6.  
If thou set on others to hurt them, out of delight, and with joy, Ezech. 36. 5.  
If through dissimulation thou cause one privily to betray them, Galathians 2. 4.  
If thou abuse them when they are dead▪ Psal. 72. 9  
2 In particular.  
That is contentious, Rom. 13. 13.  
The aggravations are,  
Through contention to be scandalous, Gen. 13. 7. 1. Cor. 6. 1, 4.  
To sow discord, Prou. 6. 14.  
To fall at strife without consideration, especially to bring others in trouble too, Prou. 17. 14. & 20. 3. & 26. 17. & 19 19  
To oppress the fatherless in suits, job 31. 21.  
Thus of sins against the whole person.  
Sins against the body follow, and so men offend,  
1. By fight, and so he offends that any way woundeth or blemisheth another, Exod. 21. 24. Leu. 24. 19 Exo. 2. 13, 14. Whether he smite in scorn or in fury, 1. King. 22. 24. Especially, that hurts a woman with child, Exod. 21. 22.  
2. By murder, and so he offends that takes away the life of another willingly.  
The aggravations of murder are,  
To kill Father or Mother, 1. Tim. 1. 9  
To kill one's children, 2. Kings 3. 27. though it were done for sacrifice.  
To kill God's servants, Heb. 11. 37. Revel. 16. 6.  
To kill himself.  
Thus of offences against the body.  
The sins against the soul follow.  
Against the soul offend,  
1. Ministers, and so he That is ignorant & cannot teach and warn the people of their sins, Isaiah 56. 10. Ezech. 31.  
That is profane in his disposition and life, jerem. 23. 14, 11.  
That runs before he be sent, jer. 23. 21.  
That is negligent in his calling, and useth not his gifts, 1. Tim. 4. 14.  
That teacheth false doctrine, and prophesieth in Baal, jerem. 23. 13.  
That preacheth peace to wicked men, and strengtheneth them in their evil courses, Ezech. 13. 18, 22. jerem. 23. 14, 15, 17.  
That teacheth unprofitably, doting about vain questions, and strife of words, using railing or old wives fables, & profane conceits, etc. or the like unprofitable matter, 1. Tim. 1. 3, 4, 7. & 4. 7. &▪ 6. 4.  
That in his teaching disgraceth and revileth the godly, Ezech. 13. 22. Phil. 3. 2.  
2. The people, who may be guilty of murdering either others or themselves.  
Others, and so he offends,  
That suffereth his brother to sin, and doth not reprove him, Leuit. 9 17.  
That giveth offence, and is a stumbling block to the weak, Rom. 14. 13. 1. Cor. 8. 12. Math. 18. 6.  
That instructs not others when he may and aught.  
That maketh or partaketh in any Schism in the Church, 1. Cor. 10. 11, 12.  
Ourselves, and so he offends,  
That neglects Vision, or the means of knowledge, and Grace, Hosh. 4. 6.  
That is subject to no settled Ministry, but hath itching ears, and seeks a heap of Teachers, 2. Tim. 4. 3.  
That is wilful in impenitency, Ezech. 18.  
That forsakes the fellowship of the Saints, Hebr. 10. 25.  
That refuseth admonition, 2. Chron. 16. 10. Prou. 29. 1.  
That resisteth the Truth, 2. Tim. 3. 8.  
Thus of sins against the persons of men.   

CHAP. X.  
Showing the sins against Chastity.  
THe sins against the purity of men follow, and are either more gross and unusual, and against the light of nature, or else more usual.  
The gross offences are  
1. Buggery, Exod. 22. 19  
2. Sodomitry, Rom. 1. 27. 1. Tim. 1. 9  
3. Incest, Leuit. 18.  
4. Polygamy, Mal. 2. 15  
5. The unnatural filthiness of women one with another, Rom. 1. 26.  
6. Selfe-pollution, or the transgression of Onan, Gen. 38. 9  
7. The sins about divorce, so he offends,  
That puts away his wife, and not for fornication, Math. 5. 32.  
That marrieth her that is unjustly divorced.  
That marrieth himself again, after he hath unjustly put away his wife, Math. 19 9  
8. Fornication, Eph. 5. 3.  
9 Whoredom or adultery, 1. Cor. 6. 9 Jude 15.  
The aggravations of whoredom are  
1. To force any to it, 2. Sam. 13. 14.  
2. That a man and his Father should go in to a maid, Amos 2. 7.  
3. To condemn it in others, & yet commit it himself, Rom. 2. 22.  
4. To entice others, Gen. 39 7. Prou. 2. 14.  
10. To marry the daughter of a strange god, Mal. 2. 11. Nehem. 13. 27. 2. Cor. 6. 17.  
The more usual sins sins follow:  
And so men offend either internally, or externally.  
Internally he offends,  
That hath impure thoughts, Math. 5. 19 Ephesians. 2. 3. 1. Thessaly. 4. 5.  
That hath inordinate affections, and burning lusts, Colos. 3. 5.  
Externally men offend,  
1. In their senses, as by impure looks, job 31. 1. Math. 5. 27. 2. Pet. 2. 14.  
2. In their gestures, and so they are guilty of chambering and wantonness, Rom. 13. 13.  
3. In their words, by filthy speaking, Col. 3. 8.  
4. By using the means, or occasion of uncleanness.  
And in respect of the means of uncleanness he offends,  
That makes light of the fornication of others, 1. Corinthians. 5. 2. 2. Peter 2. 7.  
That keepeth company with fornicators, 1. Cor. 5. 9 Prou. 29. 3.  
That gives himself to ease and pleasure, Amos 6. 4, 5, 6. Tit. 1. 12.  
That useth lascivious dancing, Zeph. 1. 9 Mark 6. 22.  
That useth lascivious books or pictures, 1. Thessal. 5. 23. 1. Corinthians 15. 35.  
That having not the gift of Continency, doth not marry, 1. Cor. 7. 2.  
That disposeth not his children in marriage, 1. Cor. 7. 37.  
That sorteth with wine-bibbers, and the riotous, Prou. 23. 20.  
That is desirous of dainties, or any way given to gluttony, Prou. 23. 3. jerem. 5. 7, 8.  
That is given to prattling or idle gadding from house to house, Prou. 7. 11. 1. Tim. 5. 13.  
That useth whorish attire, or perfumes, Prou. 7. 10, 16, 17. Zephaniah 1. 8.  
That useth the attire of another sex, Deuteronomy 22. 9  
That beguiles another in marriage by error of person, state, or disease, or the like, Genesis 29. 25.  
That marrieth without consent of parents, Genes. 26. 34, 35.  
That is guilty of drunkenness, or useth excessive drinking, 1. Pet. 4. 4.  
The aggravations of drunkenness, are,  
To take a pride in it, Esay 28. 1.  
To be mighty to drink wine, Esay 5. 22.  
To continue long at it, Esay 15. 11. Proverbs 23. 30 33.  
To make others drunk, Hab. 2. 15.  
Thus of sins against Chastity.   

CHAP. XI.  
Showing the sins against man's estate.  
THe sins against the estates of men follow, and these are either internal, or external.  
Internal, and so he offends,  
That is discontented with his estate, Heb. 13. 5.  
That is worldly, and distresseth himself with bootless cares about his estate, Prou. 15. 27. Math. 6. 25, 34 Luke 21. 34.  
That delights not in his calling, Prou. 12. 17.  
That is covetous, and in love with the things of this world, Eph. 5. 5. 1. Tim. 6. 10. 1. john. 2. 15.  
The external sins follow, and so men offend both by Omission, and Commission.  
By Omission he offends,  
That implies not the good things he hath, jam. 5. 2, 3.  
That relieves not the poor, and so withholdeth the good from the owner thereof, Prou. 3. 28.  
The aggravations are,  
To forsake the poor, job 20. 19  
To hide his eyes from the poor, Prou. 28. 9  
That brings not forth his corn to sell, Prou. 11. 26.  
That detains wages, jer. 22. 23. Levit. 19 23. james 5. 4.  
That pays not what he hath borrowed, Psal. 37. 21.  
That is idle, and neglects his calling, Eccl. 4. 5. and of this sin he is guilty also,  
That withdraweth not his foot from his neighbour's house, Prou. 25. 17. 1. Tim. 5. 13.  
That is given to much sleep, Prou. 6. 9, 10.  
That is stack in business, Prou. 10. 4. & 14. 13.  
That neglects the opportunities of his calling, Pro. 10. 5.  
The aggravations are,  
To be pertinacious in the defence of it, Prou. 26. 16.  
To be a busy-body in other folk's matters, 2. Thes. 3. 11.  
That is slothful in the business of others, Prou. 26.  
That provides not for his family, 1. Tim. 5. 8.  
Thus of sins of Omission.  
By Commission he offends,  
That steals, robs or pilfers, which is the sin mentioned in the eighth commandment.  
That steals by consequent; as he doth  
That is an Usurer, Exod. 22. 25. Levit. 25. 36. Deut. 23. 19  
That is guilty of Oppression, job 31. 38, 39 Amos 4. 1. Prou. 4. 17. Esay 5. 8. & 30. 12. especially he that loves oppression, Hos. 12. 7. Micha 2. 9  
That useth fraud in buying and selling, in mete-yard, weight or measure, Deutero. 25. 13, 14, 15. and he is guilty of this sin also,  
That selleth refuse, Mi●ha 6.  
That makes advantage of the poverty of others, Leviticus 25. 39 etc. Prou. 22. 22.  
That takes the millstone to pledge, etc. Deuteronomy 24. 6. 12.  
That being a buyer, saith, It is nought, contrary to his own judgement: and so likewise on the other side, that being a seller, doth commend it for good, when he knows it is not so, Pro. 21. 14.  
That useth any other fraud, though it be not in buying or selling, 1. Thes. 4. 6.  
And this sin of stealing is to be extended further also, as  
1. To lesser stealths, as robbing of Vineyards, or Orchards, or corn in the field, Deut. 23. 24, 25.  
2. To rash suretyship, Prou. 6. 1, 2. & 22. 26.  
3. To extremities used in recovering our own rights, job. 24. 3, 4, 9, 10.  
To not restoring of evil gotten goods, Ez●●h. 33. 15  
5. To removing of landmarks, Deut. 19 14.  
6. To living in unlawful callings, such as begging is, 2. Thes. 3. 11.  
7. To unthriftiness in following vain persons, or spending prodigally on pleasures, or diet, Proverbs 12. 11. & 21. 27. & 22. 22. & 23. 26.  
8. To the concealing of Theft, Prou. 29. 24.  
9 To the Lordly usage of the borrower, Proverbs 22. 7.  
The aggravations of the sin of stealing are,  
To take from the poor, Deuteronomy. 24. 14. job 20. 19  
To reprove it in others, and yet commit it himself, Romans 2. 21.  
To do it under pretence of Religion, 2. Corinth. 11. 20.  
To oppress strangers or widows, or the fatherless, Exodus 22. 21, 22.  
To bless the covetous, Psal. 10. 3.  
To commit it in the place of judgement, by perverting of justice, or by extortion, Ezekiel. 22. 12. or by bribery, Amos 5. 12. Exodus 23. 8. or by refusing to to do justice, Proverbs. 21. 7.  
To steal thy Master's goods, Tit. 2.  
To steal consecrated things by sacrilege, or simony, Mal. 3. 8. Acts 8. 18, 20.  
To steal a man or maid, Exod. 22. 16.   

CHAP. XII.  
THus of the sins against man's goods.  
The sins against men's good name follow, and so men offend by Omission, or by Commission.  
By Omission he offends,  
That sets not forth righteousness, Prou. 12. 9  
That doth not clear or deliver the afflicted, when he may, Gen. 40. 23.  
That disgraceth others, by forbearing their company without just cause, job 19 3, 19 Psal. 58. 3.  
That is unthankful, 1. Tim. 3. 2.  
By Commission men offend, Internally, or Externally.  
Internally he offends,  
That despiseth his neighbour in his thoughts, Prou. 14. 21.  
That disdains at the credit and praise of others, as the Pharisees did.  
That thirsts after all occasions of the contempt of others, job 34. 7.  
That is suspicious, and thinketh evil, 1. Cor. 12. 5.  
Externally men offend,  
1. In witness-bearing, and so he offends,  
That condemns a man without witness, Deut. 19 15.  
That bears false witness.  
That is fearful to bear witness to the Truth, Reu. 21. 8.  
That furthers the evil causes of wicked men, Exo. 23. 1.  
2. In lying, Revelat. 22. 15. and the blame of this sin reacheth,  
To such as use dissimulation, Gal. 2. 25.  
To such as speak untruth for fear, Gen. 38. 2.  
The aggravations of lying are,  
To love lies, Reuclat. 22. 15. Psal. 52. 3.  
To hate those thou hast wronged with thy lies, Pro. 26. vlt.  
To break promise, 2. Tim. 3. 3.  
To preach falsehoods, 1. Cor. 15. 15.  
To say one hath no sin, 1. john 1. 8.  
To say to men in distress, There is no help, Psal. 3. 2. job 13. 14.  
To colour sin with pretence of Religion, Mark 12. 40.  
3. In slandering and evil reports, Ex. 23. 1. which is to be extended also to  
1. Biting jests, Ephes. 5. 4.  
2. To revealing of secret infirmities, Prou. 11. 13. & 20. 19  
3. To the carrying about of tales, Leuit. 19 16. Prou. 16. 28.  
4. To the receiving & furthering of slanders, jer. 20. 10.  
5. To the wresting of men's words, or telling the truth of malice, 1. Sam. 22. 9, 10. Psal. 52. 1, 2.  
The aggravations of slander are,  
1. To encourage themselves in an evil matter, and to commune together about it, Psal. 64. 5.  
2. To boast of his wickedness therein, Psalm 52. 1.  
3. To slander the righteous, and quiet of the land, Psalm. 31. 18. & 59 2. & 102. 8. & 35. 20. & 83. 3, 5. & 4. 2.  
4. To raise evil report of his parents, Genesis 9 22  
5. To fill the ears of Princes with clamour, Hos. 3. 8.  
6. To be a makebate, or a railer, 1. Cor. 6. 9 2. Tim. 3. 3.  
4. In censuring & judging, jam. 2. 4.  
The aggravations are,  
To search and pry for faults in others, that he might censure them, Psal. 64. 6. Prou. 16. 27.  
To do it for things indifferent, Rom. 14.  
To censure small faults in others, and to be guilty of great offences himself, Math. 7.  
5. In vainglory and minding too much our own praises.  
And so also he offends,  
That boasteth of a false gift, Prou. 27. 1.  
That justifieth himself overmuch, job 35. 2.  
That boasts of to morrow, Prou. 17. 1.  
That measures himself by himself, 2. Cor. 10. 12.  
6. In flattery, Psal. 12. 3. Prou. 27. 14. & 26. 26.  
7. In justifying the wicked, Proverbs 15. 15. & 24. 24.   

CHAP. XIII.  
HItherto of the sins with consent of the will.  
The sins before consent of the will, are:  
1. To want desire of the good and welfare either of himself, or other men.  
2. To conceive evil thoughts, Math. 15. 19 or covet evil.  
3. To delight in the inward contemplation of evil, whether in dreams▪ or awake, though it be without purpose to act them outwardly, Jude 8. jam. 1. 14.  
Hitherto of the sins against the Law.   

CHAP. XIIII.  
Showing how many ways men offend against the Gospel.  
THe sins against the Gospel may be referred to four heads, as they are sins,  
Against Christ.  
Against Repentance.  
Against Faith.  
Against the graces of the Spirit.  
1. He sins against Christ,  
That saith he is Christ, Math. 24.  
That denieth directly, or by consequent, that Christ is come in the flesh, 1. john. 4: 3. & 2. 23.  
That hath base thoughts of Christ, Esay 53. 3.  
That saith, he hath no sin, 1. john 1. 7, 8, 10.  
That worship's God without Christ, joh. 17. 3. 1. joh. 2. 23.  
That useth not Christ as his own and only Advocate, 1. john 2. 1. 2. Tim. 2. 5.  
That loves not the Lord jesus Christ with inflamed affections, 1. Corin. 16. 12. Ephes. 6. 24. Phil. 3. 9  
2. The sins against repentance.  
That confesseth not his sins without hiding, distinctly, Prou. 28. 13. Psalm. 32. 5.  
That mourns not for his sins, jerem. 5. 2.  
That forsakes not his sins, Prou. 28. 13.  
Yea he sins against repentance,  
That reputes feignedly, jer. 3. 10.  
That reputes desperately, as Cain and judas.  
That reputes too late, job 27. 9  
That reputes by halves, and in some things only, as Ahab and Herod.  
That falls away from his repentance, 2. Pet. 2. 19, 20.  
The aggravations are,  
To be wise to do evil, jerem. 4. 22.  
To pursue evil, Proverbs 11. 9  
To rejoice in doing evil, and make a mock of sin, Prou. 2. 14. & 14.  
To be without shame, and to declare his sin like the Sodomites, Isaiah 5. 9 jerem. 3. 3.  
To be incorrigible, jer. 5. 2.  
To fret, because he is croffed in sin, Prou. 19 3.  
To bless himself against the curses of the Law, Deut. 29. 19  
To freeze in security, Zeph. 1. 12.  
To refuse to return.  
3. He sins against Faith,  
That believes not in jesus Christ for his justification and salvation, john 3. 17.  
Yea he offends,  
That is careless, & neglects the assurance of faith, Hebr. 6. 12. Rom. 1. 16.  
That in affliction doubts of God's favour and goodness, Esay 41. & 49. 15.  
The aggravations.  
Not to seek after God at all, Zeph. 1. 6.  
Not to stir up ourselves to take hold on God, when mercy is offered, Esay 64. 7.  
Not to answer when God calls, Esay 50. 2.  
To forsake our own mercy, or scoff at the signs of it, jon. 2. 8.  
4. He sins against the graces of the Spirit,  
1. That receives the grace of God in vain, 2. Cor. 6. 5.  
2. That turns the grace of God into wantonness, Jude 3.  
3. That falls away from the grace of God, either wholly by forsaking the acknowledgement of the Truth, 2. Pet. 2. 20. Or in the measure, by losing his first love, Revel. 2.  
4. That tempts, grieves, or quencheth the Spirit: Ephes. 4. 30. 1. Thes. 1. 19  
5. That despites the Spirit of Grace, and of malice persecutes the known truth, which is the sin against the holy Ghost, Hebr. 10. 26.   
FINIS.