WLC Q.151: What are those aggravations that make some sins more heinous than others?
Sins receive their aggravations,1. From the persons offending (Jer. 2:8) they be of riper age, (Job 32:7,9, Eccl. 4:13) greater experience of grace, (1 Kings 11:4,9) eminent for profession, (2 Sam. 12:14, 1 Cor. 5:1) gifts, (James 4:17, Luke 12:47–48) place, (Jer. 5:4–5) office, (2 Sam. 12:7–9, Ezek. 8:11–12) guide to others, (Rom. 2:17–24) and whose example is likely to be followed by others. (Gal. 2:11–14),
2. From the parties offended: (Matt. 21:38–39) if immediately against God, (1 Sam. 2:25, Acts 5:4, Ps. 51:4) his attributes, (Rom. 2:4) and worship; (Mal. 1:8,14) against Christ, and his grace; (Heb. 2:2–3, Heb. 12:25) the Holy Spirit, (Heb. 10:29, Matt. 12:31–32) his witness, (Eph. 4:30) and workings (Heb. 6:4–6) against superiors, men of eminency, (Jude 8, Numb. 12:8,9, Isa. 3:5) and such as we stand especially related and engaged unto; (Prov. 30:17, 2 Cor. 12:15, Ps. 55:12–15) against any of the saints, (Zeph. 2:8,10–11, Matt. 18:6, 1 Cor. 6:8, Rev. 17:6) particularly weak brethren, (1 Cor. 8:11–12, Rom. 14:13,15,21) the souls of them, or any other, (Ezek. 13:19, 1 Cor. 8:12, Rev. 18:12–13, Matt. 23:15) and the common good of all or many. (1 Thess. 2:15–16, Josh. 22:20),
3. From the nature and quality of the offense: (Prov. 6:30–33) if it be against the express letter of the law, (Ezra 9:10–12, 1 Kings 11:9–10) break many commandments, contain in it many sins: (Col. 3:5, 1 Tim. 6:10, Prov. 5:8–12, Prov. 6:32–33, Josh. 7:21) if not only conceived in the heart, but breaks forth in words and actions, (James 1:14–15, Matt. 5:22, Micah 2:1) scandalize others, (Matt. 18:7, Rom. 2:23–24) and admit of no reparation: (Deut. 22:22,28–29, Prov. 6:32–35) if against means, (Matt. 11:21–24, John 15:22) mercies, (Isa. 1:3, Deut. 32:6) judgments, (Amos 4:8–11, Jer. 5:3) light of nature, (Rom. 1:26–27) conviction of conscience, (Rom. 1:32, Dan. 5:22, Tit. 3:10–11) public or private admonition, (Prov. 29:1) censures of the church, (Tit. 3:10, Matt. 18:17) civil punishments; (Prov. 27:22, Prov. 23:35) and our prayers, purposes, promises, (Ps. 78:34–37, Jer. 2:20, Jer. 42:5–6,20–21) vows, (Eccl. 5:4–6, Prov. 20:25) covenants, (Lev. 26:25) and engagements to God of men: (Prov. 2:17, Ezek. 17:18–19) if done deliberately, (Ps. 36:4) wilfully, (Jer. 6:16) presumptuously, (Numb. 15:30, Exod. 21:14) impudently, (Jer. 3:3, Prov. 7:13) boastingly, (Ps. 52:1) maliciously, (3 John 10) frequently, (Numb. 14:22) obstinately, (Zech. 7:11–12) with delight, (Prov. 2:14) continuance, (Isa. 57:17) or relapsing after repentance. (Jer. 34:8–11, 2 Pet. 2:20–22)
4. From circumstances of time (2 Kings 5:26) and place: (Jer. 7:10, Isa. 26:10) if on the Lord’s day, (Ezek. 23:37–39) or other times of divine worship; (Isa. 58:3–5, Numb. 25:6–7) or immediately before (1 Cor. 11:20–21) or after these, (Jer. 7:8–10, Prov. 7:14–15, John 13:27,30) or other helps to prevent or remedy such miscarriages; (Ezra 9:13–14) if in public, or in the presence of others, who are thereby likely to be provoked or defiled. (2 Sam. 16:22, 1 Sam. 2:22–24)