Sin in God's People

Why does God chiefly afflict his own people more than others?
(1) Because they are his own family and are called by his name (Num. 6:27). Now the disorders of the family lead to the disgrace of the leader of it. The sins of the church touch God more nearly than others, and therefore ‘judgments must begin at the sanctuary first' (Ezek. 5:5-7). Beloved, the gospel suffers much because of the sins of those who profess to be its followers. What says the world? These be your professors? Look at the way they live! What little conscience they have of their sins! Little do men know how much religion is vilified and the ways of God spoken evil of because of the sinful lifestyles of those who profess to be followers of the gospel. It is as if there were no force in the grace and favour of God to make us love and obey him in all things. As if religion consisted in word only, and not in power. What a scandal this is to the cause of Christ! It is no marvel God begins with them first. A man may see and pass by dirt in his yard, but he will not allow it in his dining chamber nor endure it in his parlour.
(2) Because the sins of the godly are more heinous than others. They are committed against more light and against more benefits and favours. What! to make 'the temple of God a den of thieves’ to defile their bodies and souls, who are bought with the precious blood of Jesus Christ—is this a small matter? Their sins are idolatry; for they are not only the house of God, but the spouse of God. Now, for a spouse to be false and adulterous, this is greater than fornication, because the bond is nearer; so the nearer any come to God in profession, the higher is the aggravation of their sin, and as their sin grows, so must their punishment grow answerable and proportionable. They that know God's will most of all others, must look for most stripes if they do it not (Luke 12:47, 48).

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Richard Sibbes 'Refreshment for the Soul.'
The Church's Visitation, Works, vol. 1, pp. 377-78
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