Question 83

What do you mean by more heinous?

More grievous, and more offensive in the sight of God.

How many ways may some sins be more grievous and heinous than others?

Two ways, viz. 1. Of themselves, and of their own nature. 2. By reason of their aggravations.

What do you mean by aggravations?

Such circumstances as do make a sin to be greater then without them it were.

Do sins grow greater then of themselves, they were by their aggravating, or heightning circumstances: as for example, from the time when, the place where, the manner in which, the means by which, the reason why, the person by whom, the person against whom they are committed?

Yes.

And are some sins of themselves, or in their own nature more heinous than others? As the highest sins against the First Table more heinous than the highest against the Second Table?

Yes.

And wilful sins more heinous then fins of infirmity; sins against knowledg, then those of ignoranc; sins ripened into action, then sins begun in the thoughts; and sins of custom and delibertion, then those committed through some sudden passion and instant force of temptation?

Yes.