Larger Catechism

Q 151. What are those aggravations that make some sins more heinous than others?

1. From the persons offending:¹ if they be of riper age,² greater experience or grace,³ eminent for profession,⁴ gifts,⁵ place,⁶ office,⁷ guides to others,⁸ and whose example is likely to be followed by others.⁹
2. From the parties offended:¹⁰ if immediately against God,¹¹ his attributes,¹² and worship;¹³ against Christ, and his grace;¹⁴ the Holy Spirit,¹⁵ his witness,¹⁶ and workings;¹⁷ against superiors, men of eminency,¹⁸ and such as we stand especially related and engaged unto;¹⁹ against any of the saints,²⁰ particularly weak brethren,²¹ the souls of them, or any other,²² and the common good of all or many.²³
3. From the nature and quality of the offense:²⁴ if it be against the express letter of the law,²⁵ break many commandments, contain in it many sins:²⁶ if not only conceived in the heart, but breaks forth in words and actions,²⁷ scandalize others,²⁸ and admit of no reparation:²⁹ if against means,³⁰ mercies,³¹ judgments,³² light of nature,³³ conviction of conscience,³⁴ public or private admonition,³⁵ censures of the church,³⁶ civil punishments;³⁷ and our prayers, purposes, promises,³⁸ vows,³⁹ covenants,⁴⁰ and engagements to God or men:⁴¹ if done deliberately,⁴² willfully,⁴³ presumptuously,⁴⁴ impudently,⁴⁵ boastingly,⁴⁶ maliciously,⁴⁷ frequently,⁴⁸ obstinately,⁴⁹ with delight,⁵⁰ continuance,⁵¹ or relapsing after repentance.⁵²
4. From circumstances of time⁵³ and place:⁵⁴ if on the Lord’s Day,⁵⁵ or other times of divine worship;⁵⁶ or immediately before⁵⁷ or after these,⁵⁸ or other helps to prevent or remedy such miscarriages:⁵⁹ if in public, or in the presence of others, who are thereby likely to be provoked or defiled.⁶⁰