208 I. 2. Ira. ç9.2.. Pauls Conwerfion. Firft, becaufe finne is of its owne nature evill, becaufe it is contrary unto the nature of good;and of its owne nature, is an enemy unto God. The Philofopher faith, if God bec the chiefell good, then finne is the chiefeft evill; from whence wee may thus argue; that which is molt contrary to God, is the greateft evill, but finne is moll con- trary unto God; therefore it is the greätefl evüi : and the reafon is becaufe finne is that which makes the creature moil odious unto God. No crea- ture, or thing, fo contrary unto the nature of men, as finne is unto God, nothing makes God to loath the creature but finne , all the imperfections, and blemifhes, and difeafes, and infirmities ofthe crea- ture, makes not God to loath it , if there be not a mixture of finne with ir, becaufe they are not con- trary unto God : they fight not again(t God, but finne fights again(' the purity and holineife of God ; and therefore Gods hatred of the creature, is onely a hatred for finne. Secondly, to us it is the greareft el/ill: the argu- ment (lands thus , that which deprives us of the greatefl good, is the greateft evill : but this finne doth, Ergo. for it doth deprive us of all things that are good,but elpecially of two things,where -' in ftandeth our chiefeft good. As firft it deprives us of the bell outward good,which is God : as the Prophet faith, rotorfinnesfeparate betrveeneyou, and your cad : and they kcepe good things from you; of all other good , efpecially they hinder the com- ming of grace into your hearts. Now what grea- ter
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=