Gods Holy Mind Touching Matters Moral, Tract 1 · Part 18 – Part 19
Now to the matter of Deprecation.
Quest. What are the things we pray against in this petition, Forgiue vsus our debts, as we forgiue our debters?
Answ. Fiue things especially.
Quest. What is the first of those?
Psal. 51.3. Psal. 119.59. Isai. 44.19. Iere. 8.6. Hag. 1.7.Answ. This; want of knowledge and sight of sinnes, and a want of due consideration of it: that God would turne away and keepe from vsus blindnesse of minde, in respect of our sinnes, and would not suffer vsus to liue and continue in knowne sinnes; or at least in sinnes that might be discerned and knowne of vsus, without any consideration of them, either putting out of our mindes the thought of our sinnes altogether, slightly thinking of them, and slubbering ouer the matter carelesly, as that we are all sinners, and the best hauehave their infirmities, and the like.
Quest. What is the second thing we pray against in this petition, Forgiue vsus our debts, as we forgiue ou… debters?
Rom. 2.5. Heb. 13.13.Answ. This: hardn sse of heart, and vnfeelingnesse of sinne, and want of remorse and true touch of conscience for sinne. That God would keepe vsus from being hardened in our hearts, and from eueryevery d…gree of deadnesse and vnfeelingnesse of conscience, in regard of our knowne sinnes, or such as we may easily discerne and know, being grosse and foule. This is called a stony heart. Ezech. 11.19. & 36.26.
Quest. What be the degrees of deadnesse and vnfeelingnesse of conscience, in regard of knowne sinnes, or sinnes that may bee discerned and knowne, that wee pray against in this Petition?
Answ. Two especially.
Quest. What it the first of those?
Ans. This: slumbering, or benummednesse of conscience; as when a mans conscience doth not accuse nor trouble him for any sinne,Gen. 42.21. Gen. 50.15. 2 Chron. 33.10 11.12. Mat. 2.3. vnlesse it be most foule, fearefull, or capitall: and not alwayes for such a sinne, but only in the time of some grieuous sicknesse or distresse.
Quest. What is the second degree of deadnesse and vnfeelingnesse of conscience, in regard of knowne sinnes, or sinnes that may bee discerned and knowne, that wee pray against in this Petition?
Exod. 7.13. Exod. 8.15. &c. Zach. 7.12 Ephes. 4.19. 1 Tim. 4.2.Answ. This: searednesse of conscience; as when a mans conscience is vtterly past feeling, and doth not accuse or trouble him for any sinne, no not for great sinnes, and for most foule and fearefull sinnes. This iudgement befell Pharaoh.
Quest. VVhat is the fruit of these two degrees?
Answ. This; the spirit of slumber or securitie in sinne,Isai. 28.15. Iere. 48.11. Zeph. 1.12. Mat. 24.38.39. 1 Thess. 5.3. which possessing the hearts of men, makes them thinke and say in their hearts, they are free ftom all Gods Iudgements, and that they are in no danger of hell, death, or damnation.
Quest. VVhat is the third thing wee pray against in this Petition, Forgiue vsus our debts, as we forgiue our debters?
Answ. This; an opinion of our owne righteousnesse,Deut. 9.4. Iere. 2.35. Mat. 9.13. Luk. 15.7. Luk. 18.9.10. Reuel. 3.17. and a conceit of our owne goodnesse: That God would keepe vsus from that opinion and conceit, that we are sufficiently righteous, and need no repentance, which is the common conceit of the naturall man, and of ignorant persons; as come to a natural & ignorāt person, aske him whether he can keepe the command…ments of God or no; he will answere, he can, so well as God will giuegive him leaue, and that hee loues God with all his heart, and his neighbour as himselfe.
Obiection. There bee none amongst vsus, but they will confesse themselues to be sinners; and therfore none can thinke such a wicked thought, that they hauehave no need of repentance.
Quest. How is this to be answered?
Answ. Thus these two things may stand together, a man may in generall termes confesse himselfe to bee a sinner, and yet thinke that he is righteous: and some may and doe account great sinnes little sinnes, and little sinnes no sinnes: and some may and doe account vice vertue; as drunkennesse, good fellowship; pride, comelinesse, handsomnesse, or decencie; couetousnesse, thrift, or good husbandry; and swearing, a note of a braue mind. And some may and doe account sincere profession of religion too much, strictnesse and hypocrisie; as Isai. 8.18. Isai 59.15. He that refraineth himselfe from euill (that is) from the common sinnes of the time, maketh himselfe a prey: and where these things are, though the mouth say, I am a sinner, yet the heart thinkes, I am righteous.
Q. What Followes on an opinion of our owne righteousnesse, that wee are sufficiently righteous, and need no repentance, duplicate page duplicate page which wee pray against in this Petition?
Answ. Eyther a contempt, or too light esteeme, and no regard at all of Christ, and of his righteousnesse, and his merits, Math. 9.11. The whole need not the Physician: (that is) they that iudge themselues whole, and thinke they are righteous, will not regard Christ the Physician of the soule: Rom. 10.3. to establish and set vp their owne righteousnesse, and to contemne Gods righteousnesse.
Quest. VVhat is the fourth thing wee pray against in this Petition, Forgiue vsus our debts, as we forgiue our debters?
Answ. This; malice and pride of heart, whereby men are naturally and strongly bent to reuenge,Leuit. 19.18. Pro. 14.29. Pro. 16.32. Pro. 19.11. Rom. 12.19. and will beare no iniurie or wrong offered or done to them. That God would keepe vsus from malicious proud hearts; hearts strongly bent, and carried to malice and reuenge. Colossians 3.8. Wrath (that is) the sinfull motion of the heart against another, desiring reuenge for some iniurie done.
Quest. What is the fruit of malice and pride of heart, whereby men are naturally and strongly bent to reuenge, and will beare no iniury done, which we pray against in this Petition?
Answ. This; violent and reuengefull speeches and behauiour,Gen. 34.25.26.31. 2 Sam. 3.9. 2 Sam. 14.30. Hest. 3.5.6. Coloss. 3.13. and a returning of euill for euill in way of requitall, and a pleading for it: as men vse to say touching those that hauehave offered or done them wrong; May we not serue them as they hauehave serued vsus, and deale with them as they hauehave dealt with vsus? HaueHave we not reason for it? HaueHave we not iust cause so to doe?
Quest. What is the fift thing we pray against in this Petition, Forgiue vsus our debts, as we forgiue our debters?
Rom. 1.30.Answ. This; implacablenesse, mindes and hearts that are averse and contrary to any reconciliation, being once offended. That God would keepe vsus from being of such minds and hearts, as being once offended, will neuer bee reconciled againe. Such was the heart of Saul, that would by no meanes bee appeased towards Dauid, 1 Samuel 24.18, 19. though hee confessed himselfe to bee faultie, and Chap. 26.21.
Now to the sixt Petition, the third of those that concerne our selues, and the second of those that concerne spirituall good things, Math. 6.13. Luke 11.4. Lead vsus not into temptation; but deliuer vsus from euill.
Quest. VVhat is the reason of this order, after wee hauehave craved pardon of our sinnes, wee are thus to pray, Lead vsus not into temptation, but deliuer vsus from euill?
Answ. There be two speciall reasons of this order.
Quest. What is the first of those?
Answ. This;2 Cor. 2.11. 2 Cor. 7.5. 2 Cor. 12.7. Ephes. 6.11.12. Luk. 11.21. because the forgiuenesse of sinnes and grieuous temptations are in this life inseparable companions; and none in this world are more beaten and buffetted with temptations, then Gods children and true penitent sinners. Wicked persons are neuer troubled with temptations, but liue in peace, because they are already vnderunder the power of Satan.
Quest. What is the second reason of this order, that after wee hauehave craued pardon of our sinnes, we are thus to pray, Lead vsus not into temptation, but deliuer vsus from euill?
Answ. This; because as we must be carefull to craue merciemercy from God for the pardon of our sinnes past:Can 5.3. Mat. 12.43.44.45. Ioh. 5.14. Ioh. 8.11. so are wee also to be carefull to preuent sinnes to come; and to that end we are to craue ayd and strength from God against sinne to come, that wee may not offend our good and gracious God and Father hereafter, as we hauehave done before.
Quest. VVhat necessitie is there of vsing this Petition, Lead vsus not into temptation, but deliuer vsus from euill?
Answ. It is of necessary vse in three respects especially.
Quest. What is the first of those?
Answ. This; in respect of our owne corruption, and readinesse to yeeld to temptations to euill, and our weakenesse to withstand them; wee through our corruption being prone to euill, and altogether vnable of our selues, and by any strength of our owne, to withstand the least temptation to euill.
Quest. VVhat is the second respect in which this Petition, Lead vsus not into temptation, but deliuer vsus from euill, is of necessary vse?
Psal. 142.4. Pro 20.17. Ephes. 4.22. Heb. 3.13. & 11.25.Answ. This; in respect of the subtill and deceiuing nature of sinne; sinne blinding the iudgement, and there being many allurements to draw vsus to the practise of sinne, as pleasure, profit, and the like.
Quest. VVhat is the third respect in which this Petition, Lead vsus not into temptation, but deliuer vsus from euill, is of necessary vse?
Answ. This; In respect of Satan our enemie, who is both strong,Mat. 4 3. Ioh. 8.44. 2 Cor. 11.14. Ephes. 6.12. 1 Pet. 5.8. Reuel. 12.3. subtill, malicious, and cruell, and is also euer busie in assaulting vsus, and seeking to draw vsus to the practise of euill and sinne, eueryevery where casting the bayts of sinne before vsus, in our meate, drinke, apparell, and such like, to cause vsus to abuse it; and in all our actions, in eueryevery thing we goe about, and in eueryevery place where we come, obseruing where wee are weakest, and there setting vponupon vsus, and neuer wanting occasions to prouoke vsus to sinne.
Quest. What are the generall things contained in this Petition, Lead vsus not into temptation, but deliuer vsus from euill?
Answ. They are two; first, the request it selfe which wee make to God, Lead vsus not into temptation.
Secondly, the explanation of it, in the words following, but deliuer vsus from euill: as if we should say, Lord, lead vsus not into temptation, but so deliuer vsus from it, that we bee not ouercome of the euill of it.