Q1. What do you understand by some sins being more heinous than others?

A. That they are more abominable, hateful, and offensive to God than others are, Ezek. 8:6, 13, 15.

Q2. Are not all sins hateful, and offensive to God?

A. Yes; but not equally so, Matt. 7:3 - "Why beholdest thou the MOTE that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the BEAM that is in thine own eye?"

Q3. How does it appear that all sins are not equally offensive to God?

A. From the different degrees of punishment that shall be inflicted in the other world, Matt. 11:22 - "But I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you." See also Luke 12:47, 48.

Q4. In whose sight are some sins more heinous than others?

A. In the sight of God, who is the best judge of the heinousness of sins, Job 36:9.

Q5. In what respects are some sins more heinous in the sight of God than others?

A. Some are more heinous in themselves, and some are so by reason of several aggravations.

Q6. What is it for sins to be heinous in themselves?

A. It is to be heinous in their own nature, though no other aggravating circumstances should attend them.

Q7. How are these sins, that are in their own nature more heinous than others, commonly ranked?

A. Sins committed more immediately against God, or the first table of his law, are more heinous in their own nature, than sins committed more immediately against man, or any precept of the second table. Likewise, some sins against the second table, are more heinous in themselves, than other sins against the said table.

Q8. What examples are usually given of both these?

A. Blasphemy against God, is more heinous in its own nature, than defaming, or speaking evil of our neighbour, 1 Sam. 2:25; and adultery is more heinous than theft, Proverbs 6:30, to the end of the chapter.

Q9. "What are those aggravations that make some sins more heinous than others?"

A. "Sins receive their aggravation, 1. From the persons offending. 2. From the parties offended. 3. From the nature and quality of the offence. 4. From the circumstances of time and place."102

Q10. How may the persons OFFENDING be viewed?

A. They may be viewed, either as to their age, gifts, or office.

Q11. What aggravation arises from the age of the persons offending?

A. If persons are advanced in years, by which they may be supposed to have more experience, their sins are more highly aggravated than if committed by children, or such as are raw and inexperienced, Job 32:7.

Q12. How are sins aggravated from the gifts of the persons offending?

A. If the offenders have been eminent for their profession, 2 Sam. 12:14, or have had a larger measure of gifts, 1 Kings 11:9, or grace, James 4:17, conferred upon them, their sins will be proportionably aggravated beyond others, who have not been so privileged.

Q13. How are sins aggravated from the office, or station, in which persons offending may be placed?

A. If the persons who give the offence be in an eminent station in the world, or vested with any office in the church, Jer. 23:11, 14, or in the state, 1 Kings 14:16; their sins cannot but be of a deeper tincture and dye, because their example is more likely to be followed by others, Jer. 23:14.

Q14. How do sins receive their aggravation from the parties OFFENDED?

A. If committed "immediately against God, his attributes and worship; against Christ and his grace; against the Holy Spirit, his witness and working; against superiors, and such as we stand especially related and engaged unto; against any of the saints, particularly weak brethren: - and the common good of all, or many."103

Q15. On what account is sin aggravated as being committed immediately against God, his attributes and worship?

A. In as much as it is doing evil in his sight, Psalm 51:4; is despising "the riches of his goodness," Rom. 2:4; and undervaluing his ordinances, Mal. 1:8, and the glory he has stamped upon them, verse 14.

Q16. In what consists the heinousness of sin, as being against Christ and his grace?

A. In its being a slighting and contemning the only remedy which infinite wisdom has provided for our malady, Acts 4:12; and surely there can be no escape, if we "neglect so great salvation," Heb. 2:3.

Q17. How is sin aggravated by its being committed against the Holy Spirit, his witness and working?

A. In as much as it is a rejection of his testimony without us, in the word, John 15:26, and a quenching his motions and operations within us, 1 Thess. 5:19.

Q18. What aggravation does sin receive, as being committed against superiors, and such as we stand especially related and engaged to?

A. In so far as sin is committed against any of these, it is a violation of the most sacred bonds, both of nature, Proverbs 30:17, and gratitude, Psalm 55:12, 13.

Q19. How is it aggravated, as being committed against the saints, particularly weak brethren?

A. As being committed against the saints, it is a contempt of the image of God in them, Luke 10:16; and as against weak brethren, it is laying a stumbling-block before them, by which they may be ensnared and fall, 1 Cor. 8:12.

Q20. Who are they that sin against the common good of all men, or many of them?

A. They are such as do what in them lies to hinder the propagation of the gospel where it is not, and to mar the success of it where it is, 1 Thess. 2:15, 16; there being nothing that tends more to the common good of all men, than the word of this salvation being sent among them, Acts 13:26.

Q21. What is the aggravation of this sin?

A. It makes those who are guilty of it bear the nearest resemblance they can to the devil, who aims at nothing more than the ruin and destruction of mankind, 1 Pet. 5:8.

Q22. How are sins aggravated from the NATURE and QUALITY of the offence?

A. They are much aggravated, "if the offence be against the express letter of the law; break many commandments; - if it break forth in words and actions; - admit of no reparation; - if against conviction of conscience; - if done deliberately obstinately, and with delight."104

Q23. Why is the offence said to be aggravated from being committed against the express letter of the law?

A. Because in this case there can remain no manner of doubt about the sinfulness of the action; and therefore it must be sinning with the greatest boldness and presumption, Rom. 1:32.

Q24. What aggravation is there in breaking many commandments at once?

A. The sin thus becomes a Complicated offence, containing many crimes in the bosom of it; like David's sin in the matter of Uriah, 2 Sam. 12:9.

Q25. How is sin aggravated by breaking forth in words and actions?

A. Sinful words and actions reflect a more public dishonour on God, Matt. 5:22, and do greater injury to men, Micah. 2:1, than if they were latent only in the thought.

Q26. What aggravation is there in those sins which admit of no reparation?

A. Their admitting of no reparation, cannot fail to aggravate them in the very nature of things; thus murder or adultery cannot but be more heinous than theft, because there may be restitution of one kind or other for theft, Lev. 6:4, 5; but nothing can compensate the taking away of the life of another, Num. 35:31 or the violation of the marriage-bed and covenant, Proverbs 6:35.

Q27. What is the aggravation of sinning, against convictions of conscience?

A. This kind of sinning offers violence to ourselves, contrary to the checks of that judge and reprover which every one has in his own breast, Rom. 1:32.

Q28. What is the evil of sinning deliberately, obstinately, and with delight?

A. It argues the giving a kind of defiance to the Almighty, Ex. 5:2; a rooted hatred of him, Rom. 8:7; and is a strong evidence of judicial blindness and hardness of heart, Zech. 7:11, 12.

Q29. What aggravation do sins receive from the circumstance of TIME?

A. They are more heinous if committed on the Lord's day, Jer. 17:27, or on days occasionally set apart for fasting or thanksgiving, Isaiah 22:12, 13, than at other times.

Q30. How are sins aggravated from the circumstance of the PLACE in which they are committed?

A. An offence is more heinous, if it be done in a land of gospel light, Isaiah 26:10; or if committed "in public, or in the presence of others, who are thereby likely to be provoked or defiled, 2 Sam. 16:22."105

Q31. What improvement should we make of this doctrine of sin in its aggravations?

A. To be more humbled and abased before the Lord, under a sense of our sins thus aggravated, Ezra 9:6; and likewise so much the more to admire the riches of pardoning mercy, as extended to the very chief of sinners, 1 Tim. 1:13, 15.

Q1. Whence arises the first difference of sin?

A. The first difference between one sin and another, arises from the immediate object, against which the sin is committed; on this account, sins immediately committed against God, are more heinous than sins immediately committed against man; 1 Samuel 2:25. If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: But if a man sin against the Lord, who shall entreat for him? And all sins of the first table are greater than those of the second: yet there are crying sins against the second.

Q2. What is the first sin noted for an heinous sin?

A. The sin of murder is in scripture set down for an heinous and crying sin in its own nature; Genesis 4:10. The voice of your brother's blood cries unto me from the earth.

Q3. What other sin is noted for a crying sin?

A. The sin of oppression is noted in scripture for a crying sin; Habakkuk 2:11. For the stone shall cry out of the wall, and the beam out of the timber shall answer it. Especially the oppression of the widow and fatherless; Exodus 22:22, 23. You shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child. If you afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry.

Q4. What is reckoned in scripture an heinous sin against the first table.

A. The sin of atheism, or denying the being of a God, is a sin of the first magnitude; Job 31:28. This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge; for I should have denied the God that is above. This was the sin of Pharaoh; Exodus 5:2. And Pharaoh said, Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the Lord, neither will I let Israel go.

Q5. What other sin is heinous in God's account?

A. The sin of idolatry is a most heinous sin, and goes nearer to the heart of God than other sins do; Ezekiel 6:9. And they that escape of you, shall remember me among the nations where they shall be carried captives; because I am broken with their whorish heart, which has departed from me, and with their eyes, which go a whoring after their idols; and they shall loath themselves, for the evils which they have committed in all their abominations. Jeremiah 44:4. O do not this abominable thing that I hate.

Q6. What is the most heinous of all the sins in the world?

A. The sin against the Holy Spirit is the most heinous of all other sins, and shall never be forgiven by him; Matthew 12:31. All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men; but the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit shall not be forgiven unto men.

Q7. From whence does this scripture aggravate sin?

A. The Spirit of God in scripture aggravates and estimates sin, from the degree of light and knowledge men sin against; Luke 12:47. And that servant which knew his Lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many-stripes. John 15:22. If I had not come, and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: But now they have no cloak for their sin.

Q8. What is the second thing that aggravates sin?

A. The more mercies any man sins against, the greater is his sin; Romans 2:4. Or Despise you the riches of his goodness, and forbearance, and long suffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? And especially when it is against spiritual mercies, and means of salvation; Hebrews 2:3. How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation? etc.

Q9. Are heinous and crying sins capable of forgiveness?

A. Yes; great and heinous sins are capable of forgiveness, upon true repentance; Isaiah 1:18. Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Q10. From what fountain does the pardon of all sins, both great and small, flow?

A. They all flow from the free grace of God; Luke 7:41, 42. And when they had nothing to pay, he forgave them both. And through the meritorious, satisfying blood of Christ; Ephesians 1:7. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.

Q11. What is the first inference hence?

A. Though some sins are more heinous than others, yet no sinner should absolutely despair of mercy; for the vilest have been pardoned; 1 Corinthians 6:11. And such were some of you: But you are washed, but you are sanctified, but you are jutsified, etc.

Q12. What is the second inference hence?

A. That there are different degrees of torments in Hell, proportioned to the different degrees of sins on earth. Matthew 11:21, 22. Woe unto you, Chorazin, Woe unto you, Bethsaida: For if the mighty works which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon, at the day of judgment, than for you.

Q13. What is the third inference hence?

A. That great sinners, when pardoned and received to mercy, should excel all others in love to Christ; Luke 7:42, 43. Which of them will love him most? Simon answered and said, I suppose that he to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, You have rightly judged.

Q14. What is the last inference hence?

A. Let no man neglect Christ, because his sins are not so heinous as others; because the least sin without Christ is damning; Romans 6:23. For the wages of sin is death, etc. And greater sinners are often called when lesser are not; Matthew 21:31, 32. The publicans and harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. Of the Demerit of Sin

Q1. Is every sin done in God's sight?

A. Yes: I did this evil in thy sight, Ps. 51:4.

Q2. Is it heinous in God's sight?

A. Yes: For he is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity, Hab. 1:13.

Q3. But is every sin alike heinous?

A. No: He that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin, John 19:11.

Q4. Are some sins in themselves more heinous than others?

A. Yes: If a man sin against the Lord, who shall entreat for him? 1 Sam. 2:25.

Q5. Are presumptuous sins more heinous than others?

A. Yes: The soul that doeth ought presumptuously, that soul reproacheth the Lord, Numb. 15:30.

Q6. Was ever any sin so heinous as not to be forgiven?

A. Yes: The Pharisees blasphemy against the Holy Ghost was so, Mat 12:32.

Q7. Are sins against knowledge aggravated sins?

A. Yes: That servant that knew his Lord's will, and did it not, shall be beaten with many stripes, Luke 12:47.

Q8. And sins against mercies?

A. Yes: Do ye thus requite the Lord, O foolish people, and unwise? Deut. 32:6.

Q9. Especially against spiritual mercies?

A. Yes: As Solomon who turned from the Lord God of Israel which had appeared unto him twice, 1 Kings 11:9.

Q10. Are sins against reproof aggravated sins?

A. Yes: He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck shall suddenly be destroyed, Prov. 29:1.

Q11. And sins against our vows and covenants?

A. Yes: Thou saidst, I will not transgress, Jer. 2:20.

Q12. Are the sins of great professors aggravated sins?

A. Yes: For the name of God is blasphemed through them, Rom. 2:24.

Q13. And the sins of ministers?

A. Yes: Thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? Rom. 2:21.

Q14. May the place be an aggravation of the sin?

A. Yes: They provoked him at the sea, even at the red sea, Ps. 106:7.

Q15. And the time?

A. Yes: They turned aside quickly, Ex. 32:8.

Q16. Is it an aggravation of sin, if it be done with contrivance?

A. Yes: Woe to them that deviese iniquity, Mic. 2:1.

Q17. And if it be done with delight?

A. Yes: They rejoice to do evil, Prov. 2:14.

Q18. And without blushing?

A. Yes: They declare their sin as Sodom, Isa. 3:9.

Q19. And if it be boasted of?

A. Yes: Whose glory is in their shame, Phil. 3:19.

Q20. And if it be often repeated?

A. Yes: They have tempted me now these ten times, Num. 14:22.

Q21. Should we take notice of these aggravations in our confessions?

A. Yes: Aaron shall confess the iniquity of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, Lev. 16:21.