Community of offenders lessens not sin
observation, therefore, we learn, that no man can perfectly fulfil the law; and secondly, that there can be no justification by works. Only, that that must make us just must be perfect. Our best works are imperfect.
Community of offenders lessens not sin Doct. 5. In the next place, we may observe that community of offenders is no ground of lessening or diminishing of sin. A formal
Christian, it is his trick to wrap himself up in general confessions. We are all sinners; and if God should deal with us as we deserve, we were damned; but come to reckon with him for his particular sins, then he is all in a chafe. He cannot be a saint, and the like speeches, tending to the defence of his course. The psalmist is not of this nature. He argues otherwise: neither Adam nor Abraham could stand, how much less shall I, poor worm! David, he aggravates his sin while he tells us that he was conceived and born in sin. But men now-a-days, contrarily, 'You must bear with me; it is my natural disposition; I cannot do otherwise.' Yet do I not deny but to the dejected sinner this may be used as a comfort; for while they see the mass of corruption within them, they presently conceive worse of their estate and condition, as if none were so ill, or in as ill a case as they. Such should be stayed by considering it is the general estate of all men, only the difference is, some see their sins more than others do; and thus Solomon useth it, 2 Chron. 6:36, 'If any man sinneth against thee, as there is no man that sinneth not;' and God himself useth it as an argument to move him to mercy. 'The imaginations of man's heart are evil continually, therefore my Spirit shall not always strive with flesh,' Gen. 6:3.