merited; and we shall instantly confess with Solomon, that they are " fools, who make a mock of sin" — ]
Not however to insist on this general view of sin, we observe that,
II. Considered as an offence against God, its enormity is exceeding great —
This is the particular light in which it struck the mind of Joseph — Though the iniquity to which he was tempted, would have been a defiling of his own body, and an irreparable injury to Potiphar his master, yet every other consideration seemed to be swallowed up in that of the offence it would give to Goda — Sin is levelled more immediately against God himself — It is,
1. A defiance of his authority —
[God commands us to keep his law; and enforces his commands with the most awful and encouraging sanctions — But sin says, like Pharaoh, " Who is the Lord, that I should regard him? I know not the Lord, neither will I obey his voice b" — And is it a light matter for a servant thus to insult his master, a child his parent, a creature his Creator? — ]
2. A denial of his justice —
[God threatens that " the wicked shall not be unpunished" — But what does sin reply? It says like them of old, " God will not do good, neither will he do evilc" — And shall it be thought a trifling matter to rob the Deity thus of his most essential perfections ? — ]
3. An abuse of his goodness —
[It is altogether owing to the goodness of God that we are even capable of sinning against him— It is from him that we receive the bounties which administer to our excess, and the strength whereby we provoke the eyes of his glory — And can any thing be conceived more vile than to make his good- ness to us the very means and occasion of insulting him to his face ? — ]
4. A rejection of his mercy —
[God is continually calling us to accept of mercy through the Son of his love — But sin " tramples under foot the Son of God;" it even " crucifies him afresh, and puts him to an
a David viewed his sin in this light, Ps. li. 4.
b Exod. v. 2. See also Ps. xii. 4. and Jer. xliv. 16.
° Zeph. i. 12.