1. Presumptuous sins are desperate sins, because they are committed with much pre- meditation and forethought. The presump- tuous sinner doth not sin unawares, but he doth project and cast in his mind how to bring his sin about, as Joseph's brethren did in betraying him, as JutUis did in be- traying Christ, and as those Jews did that laid wait for Paul.
2. Presumptuous sins are desperate, be- cause they are accompanied with pride. The sinner who knows the mind of God, yet will act contrary to itf says, like Pha- raoh, " Who is the Lord that I should obey him ?"
3. Presumptuous sins are desperate, be- cause they are accompanied with impuden- cy. Such sinners are hardened, fearless, and without shame. Like Judas, they are hardened ; though woes be pronounced a- gainst them, they will sin ; they are with- out fear like the leviathan, Job xli. 33., and they have sinned away shame ; Zeph iii. 5., " TJie unjust knoweth no shame," he hath a forehead of brass. Nay, some are so far from blushing, that they glory in their shame, Phil. iii. ID.
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SELECT SERMONS.
4. To sm presumptuously, to know what is good, yet not to do it, is heinous, because it is ingratitude; it is an high abuse of God's kindness ; and God cannot endure, of all things, to have his kindness abused. God's kindness is seen in tliis tliat lie hath acquainted the sinner witli his mind and will, — that he liath not only instructed him, but persuaded him, — made mercy stoop and kneel to the sinner, — he hath wooed him with nis Spirit, that he would flee from sin, and pursue holiness ; kindness is seen in this, that God hath spared the sinner so long, and not struck him dead in the act of sin ; kindness in this, that though the sin- ner liath sinned against his conscience, yet now, if he will repent of sin, God will re- pent of his judgments, and mercy shall be held forth, Jer. iii. I., " Thou hast played the harlot with many lovers ; yet return a- gain to me, saith the Lord." But the sin- ner is of a base spirit ; he is not melted with all this love; but his heart like clay hardens under the sun. Here is an appa- rent abuse of God's kindness; and God cannot endure to have his kindness abused. The vulture draws sickness from perfumes; BO the sinner contracts wickedness from the mei'cy of God. Here is high ingratitude.
5. To sin presumptuously, — to know what is good, yet not to do it, — is a con- tempt done to God. He cares not whether God be pleased or not, he will have his sin. Theref<n*e the presumptuous sinner is said to reproach God, Numb. xv. 30., " The soul that doth ought presumptuously, the same reproaclu^th the Lord ;" he reproach- eth tlie Lord, though not explicitly, yet in- lerprctatively ; by his presumptuous sin makes as if God was either ignorant, and did not know his wickedness ; or impotent, and was not able to punish him. How hor- rid is this ! there is a kind of blaspliemy against God in every presumptuous sin.
(>. To sin presum])tuously, — to know what is good yet not to do it, — is a bold contest with God, a daring of God to punish. The man that sins against conscience pre- sumptuously, and will not be reclaimed, doth in effect say, what care I for the com- mandment? It shall be no check upon me. but I will go on in sin, and let God do his worst. A godly man is said to fear the
commandment, Prov. xiii. 13. He dares not sin, because the law of God stands in his way : but the presumptuous sinner doth not value the commandment; he will sin in spite of God's law. O desperate mad- ness, to dare God to his face ! 1 Cor. x. 22., " Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?" Good reason tiien we should take heed of presumptuous sin, since it is so heinous and desperate ! " To him that knows to do good, yet doth it not, to him it is sin ;" it is sin with a witness.