2. Effective. Though it be but a small sin, yet it weakeneth the interest of God, and so taketh off that awe-bond that is upon the soul to keep it from other sins. A man is apt to grow careless and to lose ■conscience of sin when he giveth himself liberty in the least sin ; for be breaketh the bond and cord which should restrain him from any «in, namely, the commandment of God against it : Vs. ii. 3, ' Let us break their bonds asunder, and cast away their cords from us.' If once this bond be of no force with us, then what can be of force to hold us to the Lord: Eom. vi. 19, 'For as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness, and to iniquity unto iniquity ; even «o now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.' One maketh way for another; and in running down-hill, there is no stay. Oh, therefore, how should we tremble at the thought of tolerating ourselves in one sin, lest it lead you to hell ! for there is no fitop when once ye yield up yourselves.
396 SERMONS UPON PSALM XIX. 13. [SeR. YIJ
Use 1. First, To show the vanity of that plea whereby the heart ia deceived : It is but a little one ; and I will yield but once. Ob, deny at first ; better never yield at all.
1. In little things we must be faithful. In minimo fidelem esse magnum est. It is a great matter to be faithful in a little. Yea, our Lord telleth us, Mat. v. 19, ' Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and teach men so, he shall be least in the kingdom of heaven.' It is a good note not to yield to the least viola- tion of God's law. It is a sign you have the awe of it upon your hearts.
2. Sin is of an encroaching nature, like a river, that is small at the first rising, but it spreadeth and enlargeth itself in its progress. Grant it but a little, and it will come to a great deal. When once the sluices be open, there is no stopping of the waters. Sin is better kept out than gotten out. You cannot say how far you shall go. I will yield but once, saith the deceived heart, but a little after yields again. The devil will carry thee further and further, till he hath left no tenderness in thy conscience. Some will say they will venture but a shilling, till^ by the secret witchery of gaming, they come to play away their lands, heritages, yea, the clothes off their backs ; so all principles of con- science will be lost at length to those that give way to sin.
3. If we should stop at small sins, yet these may harden the heart so as to neglect the greater : Mat. xxi. 31, ' Publicans and harlots go into the kiugdom of God before you ; ' that is, before the pharisees.
4. If we do not abstain from small sins, we do not abstain from the grossest out of conscience, but by-respects, not because God forbiddetb it, and is offended with it. There is the same reason for one as for all : James ii. 10, 11, ' For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said. Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art a transgressor of the law.' He that said. Swear not great oaths, hath also said. Swear not at all. He that said, Thou shalt not hate thy brother, hath said also. Put away anger. It is not sincerity of heart if we keep from one and not from another.
Secondly, It showeth the vanity of that plea of committing small sins upon other considerations; as for preventing of greater danger. No danger like the great transgression ; and we must choose the great- est aflfliction rather than the least sin : Heb. xi. 26, ' Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt.' We must not commit the least sin to procure the greatest good : Rom. iii. 8, ' Let us do evil that good may come.' This is to make the devil serve God, and God to serve the devil. It is a doubt of God's all- sufficiency : he needeth not my lie. We may not commit the least sin for avoiding a greater, fouller sin. None is reduced to that necessity. Lot cannot be excused, who, to keep the Sodomites from committing the sin against nature, offered his two daughters to their filthy lusts,. Gen. xix. 8. There is no such necessity laid on God's children, thali they must do a smaller sin to prevent a greater. Eefer the issue to God.
Thirdly, It informeth us that sin is of a spreading nature. One sia is the cause of another ; as being left by God, and given up to Sataa ;
.VeR. 13.] SERMONS UPON PSALM XIX. 13. 397
-or by the affinity of sin, bv one they are incHned to another ; by prodi- gality to theft or fraudulency. Lusts must be fed ; one sin cannot be committed without others ; as covetousness : 1 Tim. vi. 10, ' The love ■of money is the root of all evil ; which while some have coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves thiough with many sorrows.' When one is committed to palliate and hide another ; as David's murder, to hide his lust. The same sin spreads further : James i. 15, * When lust hath conceived, it brings fortli sin.'