88o s THIEVES. N Ill. Thieves do not only bind fuch that they rob, but many times murder them; they do not only flea!, but kill al(o, and that in a barbarous Mann{"r. There arc, and have been, fame great and nmorious Thieves ; would you not look upon him to be a grand Thief, that robs and craftily deceives a whole City, a whole County, nay a whole King– dom. T H I E F. Book IV. PA R ALL EL. Ill. So Sin and Sawn, do not only rob Men of all their heavenly Treafure, but al:o kill and mur– der their Souls ; Sin kills fpiritually, and Sin kills eternally; Sin, taki11g Occajion by the Comma11dment, deceived me, andby it flew nze, Rom. vii. 11. Sin has deceived and robbed the whole World at once. When our fir!l: Parents were beo·uiled, all Mankind were beguiled, and what Ma~ that ever lived hath not adually been robbed by this Thief? The beft of Men, have more or lefs been deceived by him. 1. Sin is a great Thief, if we confider the Eminency of tho(e it hath robbed. (t.) Sin deceived the Angels that fell, who were mofl: glorious Creatures in their firfl: Eflate. ( 2.) Sin robbed and deceived Adam, who was fo highly honored and dignified by the Almighty, &c. 2. Sin is a bold Thief; which appears, in that it will adventure to fteal and de– ceive at that very Time when it is arraigned, and its abominable Cheats laid open by the Minifters of the Gofpel. · 3· Sin is an old Thief; no fooner was the World created, but prefently we read of this Robber, and how he cheated our firll: Parents; 0 how many Ages, how long a Time hath this Thief reigned in his Wickednefs? 4· Sin is a fubtil Thief, he robs and fteals in the Day-time, as well as in the Night, and yet it is hard to find him out; he has many fecret Corners to hide and lurk in, nay he hath got the Art to change his Name when he is taken, and charged with this and that Abomination. (t.) If you fearch for him by the Name of Pride, he calls himfelf by the Name ofComelinefs and Decency. (2.) If you fearch for him under the Name of Covetoufnefs, he calls his Name Indu!l:ry, Thriftinefs, and good Huf– bandry; nay he is grown fo crafty, that fame think it is impollible to find him our : Under the !aft Appellation, he doth r:ot only change his Name, but al(o prevails cun– ningly upon Men, according as he finds their natural Inclination and Difpolition; fame he deceives by the Pleafures of the World, fame by the Profits and Riches of the World, and fame he puffs "P with Vain-glory, and the Hooors of the World_ (3·) Sin deceives by pretending Kindne(s and Friendfhip to the Children of Men; Sin and Satan promife a future Time, and Days to repent; they promife Heaven to the vileft Sinner, promife Life, whilft they thruft the Knife into the very Throat.: Sin is compofed of nought bur fubtil Wiles, It fawns and flatters, and betrays by Smiles; 'Tis like the Panther, or the Crocodile, It feems to love, and promifes no Wile. It hides its Sting, feems harmlefs as the Dove ; It hugs the Soul, and hates when't vows moft love. It plays the Tyrant moft by gilded Pills, It fecretly enfnares the Soul it kills. Sins Promifes they all deceitful be, Does promife Wealth, but pay us Poverty; Does promife Honor, but doth pay us Shame ; And quite bereaves a Man of his good Name: Does promife Plea(ure, but cloth pay us Sorrow; Does promife Life to Day, pays Death to Morrow. No Thief fo vile, nor treacherous as Sin, Whom Fools do hug, and take much Pleafure l"n. 5: That Sin is a crafty Thief and Robber, doth appear further, if we confider what Fools, and meer Babes, it makes of worldly-w1fe Men. ( t.) It deceives them of Treafure of an ineftimable Value, for meer Toys and 2 Trifles,
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