Reformed Covenanter
Cancelled Commissioner
There is a great difference to be made in respect of Humiliation, and the measure of godly sorrow for it. For as the sin may exceed another, as much as the Camel doth a Gnat; so ought the sorrow as much as an Ocean doth a drop. Thus Peter goeth out, and weeps bitterly; he did not so for every defect, and spiritual imperfection in him, as for this abominable Apostasy.
We read also of the incestuous person, as he committed a sin, that was not so much as named among the Gentiles, so he manifested such sorrow as was scarce heard among Christians; insomuch that the Apostle was afraid of him, lest he should be overwhelmed with too much sorrow. Now if for every sin of infirmity there should be as much sorrow and humiliation, as for these crimson and scarlet sins, how would the whole life of man be but a continual trouble of soul? and in what darkness would he live always? ...
For more, see Anthony Burgess on the distinction between daily infirmities and gross sins.
We read also of the incestuous person, as he committed a sin, that was not so much as named among the Gentiles, so he manifested such sorrow as was scarce heard among Christians; insomuch that the Apostle was afraid of him, lest he should be overwhelmed with too much sorrow. Now if for every sin of infirmity there should be as much sorrow and humiliation, as for these crimson and scarlet sins, how would the whole life of man be but a continual trouble of soul? and in what darkness would he live always? ...
For more, see Anthony Burgess on the distinction between daily infirmities and gross sins.