The Spiritual Mans Directory, Treatise · Part 2 · Question 157 – Question 170
Q. 157. Why pray you not for weekly or yearely Bread, but give us this day our daily bread?
A. That we may not bee ſolicitous for to morrow, Gen. 24. 12. for firſt, this day will afford us buſineſſe enough to doe, wee had not need to preoccupate for the morrow, Math. 6. 34. Secondly, if we be carefull for the morrow to day, we ſhall be forced to care for it twice; and therefore let us take care for to day, and to morrow, for to morrow, Math. 6. 34. Thirdly, wee need not to morrow, till to morrow is come, it is onelyonly this day, that is the ſeaſon of our need, Pſal. 145. 15. Fourthly, it is the act of Faith to live from hand to mouth, and it is againſt Faith to be thoughtfull for to morrow, Math. 6. 34. not, but wee may provide for to morrow, Gen. 30. 30. When the Lord giveth us this day, a ſurplus for to morrow, Faith alloweth this, 1 Tim. 5. 8. Againe, the Lord teacheth us to Pray every day, for every dayes bleſſſing; for firſt, Gods mercies flow not from him all at once, but ſome to day and ſome to morrow, Pſal. 68. 19. for they flow from him as water from a fountaine, Pſal. 36. 9. ſome grace to day, and new to morrow, Zach. 13. 1. Secondly, the covenant of Grace requireth that wee ſhould ſue to it continually, 1 Theſ. 5. 17. Againe, to ſhew the fickleneſſe of our life; for what is it? Iam. 4. 14. Ioſhua, though now well, yet lookt upon this Day, as the day of his death, Ioſh. 23. 1…. for firſt, we may dye to day, we doe not know when▪ Gen. 27. 2. Secondly, if we doe not dye to day, yet if wee be plodding now for to morrow, it will make us the more unwilling to dye to morrow▪ …am. 4. 13. Thirdly, the not thinking of Death as a thing preſent, makes one the more ſubject to ſinne, Amos 6. 3. Againe, to teach us to looke out for heaven, which is not for a day, nor for a yeare, but for ever, Ioh. 6. 27. an Immortal inheritance, 1 Pet. 1. 4.
Q. 158. If our daily Bread be ours, why doe wee begge it, and if we beg it, how is it ours?
A. It is the guift of God, Pſal. 146. 7. though the materiall cauſe of it be from below, yet the efficient cauſe is from above, Iam. 1. 17. nay, if we be his children; firſt, it is the guift of his everlaſting mercy, Pſal. 136. 27. Secondly, as an appurtenance together with Chriſt, Rom. 8. 32. as an addition to the Kingdome of God, Math. 6. 33. Indeed hee would have us make it ours, firſt, by believing in Chriſt, 1 Cor. 3. 22. Secondly, by honeſt labour, 2 Theſ. 3. 10. and yet though wee get it by guifts from friends, or by our owne induſtry and labour, yet it is hee that doth give it unto us, Deut. 8. 17, 18. and then doe wee acknowledge it to be his guift, when wee doe ſhew it by our practice, and our dependance upon him, uſing it to his glory, Hoſ. 2. 8. and becauſe that givers among men never want beggers, wee ſhould bee …utors unto him for theſe things, for hee is the hearer of prayers, Pſal. 65. 2. againe if he be the giver, we muſt not have an evill eye, though he give others more, us leſſe, Math. 20. 1…. again, if he be the giver, we ſhould not lay out his gifts upon that which will not profit us, but uſe them to our good, Iſa. 55. 2. Againe if he be the giver, we ſhould ſay of every thing that we have, This is Gods mercy, of every morſell of bread, This is Gods mercy, of every nights ſleep, This is Gods mercy; the Lord curſeth people, when he renders them their deſerts, Pſal. 28. 4. againe if theſe be his gifts, then they cannot help our needs, further then his influence is in them. David had clothes, and did uſe them, and yet could not get warmth, 1 King. 1. 1. and though we have them, yet we have need to pray for them as though we had them not; for without him, they are and they are not, Prov. 23. 5.
Q. 159. Forgive us our debts; why are ſinnes called debts?
A. Not becauſe they are debts that are owed, for ſo good works are debts, as to love one another, Rom. 13. 8. not to live after the fleſh, Rom. 8. 12. to publiſh the Goſpell, Rom. 1. 14. but becauſe they are debts owed, and not payed, Math. 18. 27. Firſt, they are called debts, becauſe God is the creditor, Luke. 7. 41. Secondly, becauſe we are indebted to his Iuſtice, to pay the utmoſt farthing, Math. 5. 25. and therefore it is a miſery to be a ſinner, 1 Sam. 22. 2. for, firſt, he loves not to come into Gods preſence, except he be brought, Math. 18. 24. Secondly, he loves to be ſhifting with God, as the unjuſt Steward and the debters were agreed to cozen their maſter, Luke 16. 5. Thirdly, he is apt to leave the ſurety in the lurch, Prov. 22. 26. Fourthly, he is ſubject to be arreſted of Gods juſtice, as a debter is of mans, 2. King. 4. 1.
Q. 160. What is ſinne?
A. It is the tranſgreſſion of Gods law, 1 Ioh 3. 4. whether by omiting of what is commanded, Math. 25. 42. or by committing of what is forbidden, Ier. 2. 13. or by failing in manner of doing it, for in every thing we doe, be it materially never ſo good we doe ſinne, Gal. 7. 20. whether it be in eſſentialls, as Iehus obedience is called murder, Hoſ. 1. 4. or in ſome circumſtantialls, as Rebekahs deſiring that Iacob might have the bleſſing, there was a lye cleaving to it, Gen. 27. 15. whereby the perſon becomes guilty, Ezek. 22. 4. both with the guilt of offence, 1 Cor. 11. 27. the ſinne being layed to his charge, Act. 7. 60. and with the guilt of death and damnation, Rom. 1. 7. by which two guilts, as with chaynes, the ſoul is bound in heaven, in earth, Math. 16. 19. and the conſcience defiled, Tit. 1. 15. which can never be purged againe, but by the bloud of Chriſt, 1 Iohn. 1. 7. beſides, ſinne leaves a blot and an uncleanneſſe behind it upon the ſo…, and all the whole man, Math. 15 11.
Q. 161. Are any ſinnes ſo ſmall, that they are veniall, and doe not deſerve hell?
A. No, Math. 5. 19. though it be but the leaſt breach; but of one …ot of Gods Law, ver. 18. or but an idle word, Math. 12. 36. or but a luſt, Rom. 7. 7. though it be but in the leaſt thing, Gal. 3. 10. the Lord does not ſay the wages of a great ſinne, but ſinne is death, Rom. 6. 23. he does not ſay, thou ſhalt not ſteale a pounde, or a ſhilling, but thou ſhalt not ſteale, though it be but a farthing, Math. 19. 18. It is a curſed ſpeech, is this ſuch a matter be the matter never ſo little, that is not it, but the littleneſſe of the will, Math. 26. 41. much…eſſe of will, aggravates any ſinne exceedingly, Heb. 10. 26. when people ſay we will not doe thus and thus, or we will doe thus and thus, Iere. 6. 16. for againſt whom doeſt thou ſinne? Iſa. 57. 23. even againſt an infinite God, Pſal. 145. 3. and thou art nothing to him, Dan. 4. 35. and leſſe then nothing in his hands thy breath is, Dan, 5. 23. and yet ſinnes are not all equall, Luke. 12, 47, 48. and though all ſinnes be mortall, yet by reaſon of Gods mercy▪ all ſinnes are not unto death, Iohn. 5. 16. namely when a man is in Chriſt, then no ſinne can damne him that he hath committed, Rom. 8. 1. againe ſome ſinues are little in compariſon of other ſome, Ezek. 16. 48.
Q. 162. How comes ſinne, to be ſaid to be ours?
A. Firſt, Actuall ſinne comes to be ours, by committing of it, Ier. 16. 10. or by being acceſſory to an others committing of it, Nehem. 13. 17. by teaching others to ſinne, Ier. 28. 16. or by commanding others to ſinne, 2 Sam. 13. 28. or by tice…ng, others to ſinne, 1 King. 21. 25. or by giving others a ſinfull example, Gal. 2. 14. or by conniving, 1 Sam. 2. 29. or by remiſſeneſſe of reproving ſinne, ſo as the reproved is never the more reſtrained, 1 Sam. 3. 13. or of too little preaching to the conſcience, Ezek. 33. 6. or by keeping company with them that do ſinne, Rom. 1. 32. or being an others inſtrument in ſinning, 1 Sam. …. 18. or by feeding upon ſinnes of others, Hoſ. …8. Secondly, originall ſinne is made ours, by …eing conceived in it Pſal. 51. 5. and borne of the … Iohn. 3. 6. not by imitation onelyonly for Firſt, one entred into the world by one man, and not by every man, Rom. 5. 12. and we were all …ad in Adam, before we could imitate him, 1 …. 15. 22. or ſinne after his ſimilitude, Rom. … 14. Secondly originall ſinne is before actuall, for Firſt, we are unclean before uncleane things …ue from us, …ob. 14. 4. Thirdly, we are ſinners …om the wombe, and therefore before we doe …ctually imitate our parents. Pſal. 58. 3. Indeed the actuall ſinnes of our parents are not made …urs, but only by imitation, Ezek. 18. 14. and yet even they too thus farre are ours; as that we are to be ſpecially humbled for them, Ier▪ 3. 25.
Q. 163. Forgiveneſſe of ſinne being there …ut by a Synecdoche, the part, for the whole the whole being Iuſtification, tell me what is Iuſtification?
A. Firſt, it is a free act of God. Rom. 3. 24. Secondly, looking at his owne grace, and not at any good works in man, Rom. 11. 6. Thirdly, whom he conſidereth, as formally a ſinner, or ungodly, Rom. 4. 5. Fourthly, whereby he freeth him from the Law, and from ſinne, and from death, Rom. 8. 2. and maketh him righteous in his accompt. 2 Cor. 5. 2…. Fifthly for Chriſt his ſake, ver. 19. Sixthly, apprehended by faith, Rom. 5. 1. and therfore juſtification conſiſteth of two parts▪ Zac. 3. 4. The 1. is the not imputing of ſin, Rom. 4. 8. the ſecond, is the imputing of righteouſneſſe, verſ. 6. for Chriſt hath done two things; Firſt, he hath made reconciliation for ſinne. And ſecondly, he hath brought in everlaſting righteouſneſſe, Dan. 9. 24. And therefore the Scripture doth not meane that Iuſtification is onelyonly by Chriſt's paſſive obedience, when he ſaith, It is by his bloud, Rom. 5. 9. but it is alſo by his active Obedience, verſ. 19. whereby hee fulfilled all Righteouſneſſe, Math. 3. 15. and the Law, Rom. 10. 4. being made under the law for that purpoſe, Gal. 4. 4. hee fulfilled not the law for himſelfe, for the qualification of his Perſon, that he might be a holy Sacrifice for ſinne▪ for he was originally holy, being Jeſus Christ the Righteous, 1 Iohn 2. 1. himſelfe had no need to be turned over to the Law, by reaſon of his hypoſtaticall Union, hee was holy from the wombe, Luk. 1. 35. and therefore he put himſelfe under the law, to fetch Righteouſneſſe from thence, for his redeemed ones, Gal. 4. 5. hee did all that he did for them,, and ſuffered all that he ſuffered for them. Nay, hee was borne for them, as well as Crucified for them, Iſa. 9. 6. and he ſanctified himſelfe for them, Iohn 17. 19. and as hee dyed for them, ſo he lived for them too, Iohn 14. 19. His Incarnation, Birth, Circumciſion, Baptiſme, his Life and converſation, and Death, from the wombe, to the Croſſe, all was for them: yea, ſelfe and all, was for them, Gal. 2. 20. Yea alſo hee roſe againe, for them, Rom. 4. 25. and now liveth in heaven for them, Heb. 7. 25. and ſo well may hee be called, The guift of God, Ioh. 4. 10.
Q. 146. Who is the Author of forgiveneſſe of ſinne?
A. God, even God onelyonly, Iſa. 43. 25. Firſt, becauſe this is his glory when Moſes would faine ſee the Lords glory, Exod. 33. 18. The Lord told him hee was the forgiver of ſinne, Exod. 34. 7. Secondly, hee onelyonly can forgive ſinne, if one doe forgive ſinne, that hath not a power to doe it, it is nothing, Mark. 2. 7. Thirdly, ſin is committed onelyonly againſt God, Pſal. 51. 4. Fourthly, hee onelyonly can give the Conſcience peace, Rom. 5. 1. Though all the world ſhould ſay, ſuch a one is an honeſt man, ſuch an one hath his ſinnes forgiven him, his Conſcience will miſgive him for all that; except the eternall Spirit ſet it on, Heb. 9. 14. Forgiveneſſe of ſinnes is in Chriſts name onelyonly, Luk. 24. 47. and through his Bloud, Math. 26. 28. when God himſelfe puts away a mans ſinnes by it, Iſa. 44. 22. Indeed in a treſpaſſe are two things; firſt, the obliquity or evill that is in it. Secondly, the hurt or det…iment that redounds unto man by it; as it is an obliquity, it is an aberration from Gods law; ſo only God can pardon it, for it is hee that pardoneth all ſinne, Ier. 33. 8. as it is a hurt unto man, ſo farre as it concernes him, he may and muſt forgive it, Math. 6▪ 14. and whereas it is ſaid, That Gods Miniſters may forgive ſinnes, Ioh. 20. 23. That is onelyonly declaratorily, as Iohn declared unto them, whom he wrote his Epiſtle to, That their ſinnes were forgiven them, that is, of God, and not of him, 1 Ioh. 2. 12. As Nathan ſaid to David, 2 Sam. 1…. 13. Men cannot get the pardon of their ſinnes as they liſt, Act. 8. 22. Let men feare to ſin againſt God, leaſt he ſay in his wrath, he will never forgive them, Ier. 14. 12. if people were ſure of a pardon when they have ſinned, it were another matter; but when they preſume upon a pardo…, and ſo ſinne, the Lord …aith, he will diſapoint them, Deut. 2…. 19, 20.
Q. 165. Who … are the proper ſubjects, of forgiveneſſe of ſinne… meane who are they that this article belongs to?
A. Not all but many, Math. 26. 28. namely the remnant of Gods heritage, Mich. 7. 18. The city of God, thoſe that dwell therein ſhall be forgiven their iniquities, Iſa. 33. 24. Indeed forgiveneſſe of ſinne muſt be preached, in Chriſts name among all nations, Luke. 24. 47. according to the riches of his grace, Eph. 1. 7. for Chriſt is the Lambe of God, that takes away the ſinnes of the world, John. 1. 29. the Goſpell is to be propounded to every creature, and it may ſo be▪ Mark. 16. 25. but if any would partake of the forgiveneſſe of ſinne. Firſt, he muſt r…pentantly confeſſe his ſinnes. Iob. 33. 27. Secondly, he muſt be ſenſible of his ſpirituall captivity, for the acceptable yeere of the Lord is for captives onelyonly, Luk. 4. 18. 19. Thirdly, we muſt hungerly attend upon upon God in all his ordinances: and take heed of willfull hardneſſe of heart leaſt God take an order with him that he never b… forgiven Mark. 4. 12. Fourthly, he muſt not only be baptiſed, but alſo with the Baptiſme of repentance, Mark. 1. 4. Fiftly, he muſt give the godly good encouragement, that they may cōfortably pray for him, Iam. 5. …5. Sixthly, he muſt be a meek, and a patient man to forgive ſuch as treſpaſſe againſt him. Mark. 6. 14.
Q. 166. Who is the meritorious cauſe of forgiveneſſe of ſinne?
A. Chriſt▪ in whom God reconcileth his people to himſelfe, 2 Cor. 5. 19. for their ſinnes were laid upon him, Iſa. 53. 5, 6. he is the true hyſſope whereby their ſinnes are purged away▪ Pſal. …1. 7. he is the fountaine ſe… open for their uncleanneſſe, Zach. 13. …. he is the mediatour of forgiveneſſe, 1 Tim. 2. 5. not only by way of ſupplication, Iohn. 17. 9. as Ioab and the woman of Tekoah was to Dauid for Abſalom, 2 Sam. 14. 2. not only by way of interceſſion, Heb. 7. 25. as Blaſtus to Herod for the Tyryans, Act. 12. 20. nor only by way of ſatsfactioin, Heb. 12. 24. as Paul to Philemon for One ſimus, Phil. 18. but alſo an advocate to plead it, and ſ…e it forth for them, … Ioh. 2. …. Indeed forgiveneſſe of ſinne to us is an act of grace, if God take our ſinnes, he doth it graciouſly, Hoſ. 14. 2. yet in regard that Chriſt hath made ſatisfaction, it is an act of juſtice, 1 1. 9. but firſt, our ſinnes muſt be overwhelming burdens to us, and we muſt be ſinſible of our infinite need of a pardon, Iſa. 40. 2. otherwiſe when we make mention of the mediatour in our prayers, it is not in truth, Iſa. 48. 1. Secondly, we muſt be effectually called, Heb. 9. 15. Thirdly, we muſt be in Chriſt, for pardon floweth from union and being in Chriſt, Col. 1. 14. the effect whereof is a new creature, 2 Cor. 5. 17. Chriſt in one is the hope of glory, Col. 1. 17. Fourthly, we muſt have faith, Act. 13. 38, 39. we muſt behold the Lambe of God, Iohn. 1. 29. A Mediatour, is not a mediatour of one, but ſuppoſeth two parties, and a conſent on both ſides, Gal. 3. 20. which is on Gods ſide, by giving of Chriſt, and on ours, by believing in Chriſt, Job. 3. 16. and receiving of him by Faith, Ioh. 1. 12.
Q. 167. What are the comforts of forgiveneſſe of ſinne.?
A. Firſt, It is a comfort that there is ſuch a thing, that when we have ſinned, propitiation is poſſible, 1 Iohn. 2. 1. Secondly, that it is not only poſſible, there being ſuch a thing but that it may be applied unto us, if we come to take it at Gods tearmes, 1 Iohn. 1. 9. Thirdly, that it is univerſall of all ſinnes, Iſa. 38. 17. and all kinds of ſinnes, Exod. 34. 7. yea though they be Scarlet ſinnes, or Crimſon ſinnes, Iſa. 1. 18. Fourthly, that it is accompanied with the healing of ſinne too, Pſal. 103. 3. and the ſubduing and killing of it, Mich. 7. 19. with the changing of ones minde and diſpoſition, and making him repent, that ever he committed it, Act. 5. 31. Fifthly, that where the ſin is forgiven, the puniſhment is forgiven alſo, and the man that hath it, may know his own ſalvation, Luk. 1. 77. and therefore he may be of good chere, Math. 9. 2. Sixthly, that where ſinne is once forgiven, it can never return to be unforgiven, or to be laid to ones charge more, or remembred againſt him any more, Ier. 31. 34. it is a debt quite blotted out, that can never be demanded more, Iſa. 43. 25. Indeed it may ſeeme to returne upon the conſcience, by doubtings and temptations and recidivation into ſinne againe, then the conſcience may be ſoule again with it, and cry guilty a freſh, becauſe the man hath blotted his evidence, and therefore he muſt pray for the renewing of it againe, Pſal. 32. 5. againe a conceipted pardon may be repealed, as we ſee by the debtor in the parable, Math. 18. 34. whom his maſter had ſeemed to forgive, verſe. 27. but that parable doth not imply the repealing of any true pardon, but onelyonly the conſtancie of that rule, that whoſoever would have God to forgive them, muſt forgive one another, Math. 6. 15. for when a man is forgiven indeed, though afflictions come to ſeek out his ſinnes, yet they ſhall not be found, Ier. 50. 20.
Q. 168. Seing God ſaith, it is abominable to juſtifie the wicked, Prov. 17. 15. What is the meaning then of the Apoſtle, who ſaith, that God juſtifieth the ungodly, Rom. 4. 5. will God do that which is abominable to him?
A. Firſt, God may juſtifie an ungodly man, and yet doe it with righteous judgement, he is the law-maker, and therefore he may pardon what law-breakers he will: becauſe mercy and forgiveneſſe belongs to him to diſpenſe it where he will, Dan. 9. 9. but if officers and Magiſtrates juſtifie the wicked, they ſinne: becauſe they doe it without warrant, for love, or for favour, or for friends or for feare, or for reward, Iſa. 5. 23. Secondly, God juſtifies no other ungodly ones, but only his Elect; whoſe ſinnes Chriſt died for, Rom. 8. 33. 35. Thirdly, God can juſtifie an ungodly man, becauſe he can make him godly, and purge his ſpirit from guile, Pſal. 32. 2. As hee openeth the eyes of the blind, the man is not blind afterwards, Iohn 9. 25. The Lord never cleareth any man, that goeth on ſtill in his guiltineſſe, E…. 34. 7. and therefore it is no act of injuſtice in God; wheras if a man ſhould juſtifie the wicked, it is injuſtice in him, becauſe he cannot make the man godly; and therefore he muſt juſtifie none but the righteous, and condemne none but the wicked, Deut. 25. 1. Fourthly, God juſtifieth the ungodly, nor wallowers in ſinne and undgodlineſſe, but ungodly, that is formally ſo conſidered as ſinners, 1 Tim. 1. 15. Now then is a man formally a ſinner: when, Firſt, he looks upon himſelfe as a ſinner, when he ſeeth his ſinnes in there own colours, not …ickled with any righteouſneſſe of his owne, Math. 9. 13. Secondly, when he carrieth himſelf, ſo before God, in his lookes and thoughts and affections, and minde, as becommeth a ſinner in his caſe to do, Luk. 18. 13. Thirdly, when his impudence is gone, and confuſion of face is put on, Dan. 9, 8. Fourthly, when he hath no ſquint lookings or any merits of congruities, or con…ignities, or preparatives, or fitneſſes, but magnifieth mercy, verſ. 18. Fifthly, when he is truly reſolved upon turning to God, as abhorring the contrary to the pit of hell. Iſa. 55. 7. Sixthly, when a man is in truth willing to take up Chriſts croſſe, and follow him, Luke. …. 23▪
Q. 169. Seeing the Lord Ieſus teacheth us to pray plurally, forgive us our ſinnes, muſt we not pray that God would forgive other?
A. Yes, all that have wronged us, Act. 7. 6…. yea all that we have communion with, 2 Chron. 30. 18. yea all that live in the Church, Exod. 32. …1. and others too, Gen. 20. 7. for firſt, we have a command for this duty, Iam. 5. 16. Secondly, we have a promiſe of hope, of ſpeeding, ver. 15. Thirdly, there have been bleſſed effects of Gods ſervants prayers in this kinde. Namely the Lord hath forgiven others upon their intreaty, Numb. 14. 20. Fourthly, we doe our ſelves good hereby, yea though God have a purpoſe to forgive one; yet ſometimes he ſtays till his ſervants intreate for him, Iob. 42. 8. therefore firſt, we ſhould take notice of other mens ſinnes, yea though they doe not know they have ſinned, yet we would pray the Lord to forgive them in caſe they have, Iob. 1. 5. Secondly we ſhould begg one anothers prayers, 2 Theſſ. 3. 1. Thirdly, we ſhould labour to be ſuch as Gods people may have encouragment to pray for us, as Paul was encouraged by the Epheſians faith and forwardneſſe in the duty of love, Eph. 1. 15. to pray for them verſe. 16 for the good things that are to be ſeen in us Phil. 1. 5. make them pray for us with joy ver 4. Though Simon Magus intreated Peter to pray for him, yet having no encouragment, we do not read that he did, or if he did, he could not doe it with any confidence, Act. 8. 24. againe, Firſt, let us pray for our ſelves, 2 King. 20. 1. if we would have others to pray for us, verſ. 4. Secondly, we muſt not diſſemble with the children of God when we pray them to pray for us, Ier. 42. 20. Thirdly, we muſt not live in any knowne ſinne; leaſt the Lord ſay to his people do not pray for ſuch; and to lock up their hearts, Ier. 7. 16. Fourthly, we muſt humble our ſelves to them, if we have thought evil of them in our hearts Numb. 21. 7. conſider, Firſt, if we be Saints, the cauſe may be ſuch, that God will not pardon us, except other Saints joyne, Deut. 9. 20. Secondly, the Saints of God are marveilous willing to doe it for us, 1 Sam. 12. 23.
Q. 170. Whereas our Saviour teacheth us to ſay; As wee forgive them that treſpaſſe againſt us? What is it to forgive one another?
A. It includeth foure things; firſt, to forbeare one another, with holding our ſelves from revenge, Col. 3. 15. which is no Puſillanimity, but a victorious grace, Rom. 12. 21. It is to overcome our ſelves, which is more then to take a City, Prov. 16. 32. and to overcome the malice of our enemies, and to mollifie their hearts, 1 Sam. 24. 17. and to overcome the right way, which is by Patience, and not by rendring quid for quo, Prov. 24. 29. Secondly, to root out all deſire of revenge, not onelyonly to tolerate for want of a handſome opportunity to revenge, but to doe it from the heart, Math. 18. 35. for it muſt be with love, which proceeds not onelyonly from the heart; for ſo we ſee Drunkards will forgive one another, but alſo from a pure heart, 1 Tim. 1. 5. Beſides, wee muſt forgive and forget, when people ſay, I forgive, but I cannot forget; this is ſilly forgiveneſſe, like Ephraim, a ſilly Dove without heart, Hoſ. 7. 14. Againe, wee muſt doe it with earning bowels, as Ioſeph forgave his Brethren, hee wept and melted towards them, Gen. 50. 17. Thirdly, to be ready notwithſtanding to performe all offices of love, verſ. 21. To bleſſe them that curſe us, and to pray for them that ſpite us, Math. 5, 44. for God is good to his enemies, verſ. 45. and hereby wee ſhew, that he is our Father, verſ. 48. Publicans can love them, that love them, verſ. 47. Beſides, if that be all, wee have our reward, and can looke for none from God, verſ. 46. Fourthly, to forgive univerſally all wrongs to our perſons, Act. 7. 60. to our names, 2 Sam. 19. 23. and debts too, when the debtor is not able to pay, and yet ſubmits, Philem. 18. Nay, the greater the wrong is the greater is our glory to forgive, Num. 12. 13.