But the deceitfulness of their heart is evidently discovered,1 whose forgiveness consisteth only in a purpose to do it afterwards. That which is truly purposed, will not always remain a mere purpose: but, so soon as occasion is given, prove a practise. Many think it time enough to forgive when they go to the Lords Table: yet it may be that such go to that holy board but once a year.2 Surely that forgiveness which is then intended cannot be sound.3 It may justly be suspected to be more on vain superstition, then true devotion. What if they die suddenly before that time, and have no time, no thought to forgive, can they think it safe to depart out of this world with a revengeful mind? I would gladly know of such whether they intend to pray before that time set for receiving the holy Communion. If they do intend so to do, can they think it well to pray in wrath? Did men know what a Wolfe, what a Tiger, what a Viper wrath and revenge were, they would at the first sight thereof be startled, and get themselves as far from it, as they could. If Scorpions and Asps were in mens houses, what pains would they take to cleanse their houses, that they might dwell securely? But they keep anger, wrath, malice, hatred, revenge, which are so many Scorpions, and Serpents, and cleanse not the house of God, which is their heart. Yea such a perverse disposition have many, as they use all the means they can to retain, and nourish ⟨p. 171⟩revenge, and to keep it in mind and memory. By oath, by imprecation, and other ways they will bind themselves, not to forgive. They forbear not to say, I may forget the wrong, but I will never forgive it. Hereby they provoke God to keep their sins in perpetual memory, and to bind himself to execute vengeance on them.
But the deceitfulnesse of their heart is euidently discouered,1 whose forgiuenesse consisteth onely in a purpose to doe it afterwards. That which is truely purposed, will not alwayes remaine a meere purpose: but, so soone as occasion is giuen, proue a practise. Many thinke it time enough to forgiue when they goe to the Lords Table: yet it may be that such goe to that holy board but once a yeare.2 Surely that forgiuenesse which is then intended cannot be sound.3 It may iustly be suspected to bee more on vaine superstition, then true deuotion. What if they die suddenly before that time, and haue no time, no thought to forgiue, can they thinke it safe to depart out of this worsd with a reuengefull minde? I would gladly know of such whether they intend to pray before that time set for receiuing the holy Communion. If they doe intend so to doe, can they thinke it well to pray in wrath? Did men know what a Wolfe, what a Tyger, what a Viper wrath and reuenge were, they would at the first sight thereof be startled, and get themselues as farre from it, as they could. If Scorpions and Aspes were in mens houses, what paines would they take to cleanse their houses, that they might dwell securely? But they keepe anger, wrath, malice, hatred, reuenge, which are so many Scorpions, and Serpents, and cleanse not the house of God, which is their heart. Yea such a peruerse disposition haue many, as they vse all the meanes they can to retaine, and nourish ⟨p. 171⟩reuenge, and to keepe it in minde and memory. By oath, by imprecation, and other wayes they will binde themselues, not to forgiue. They forbeare not to say, I may forget the wrong, but I will neuer forgiue it. Hereby they prouoke God to keepe their sins in perpetuall memory, and to binde himselfe to execute vengeance on them.
- 1Delayed forgiveness deceitful.Delayed forgiuenesse deceitfull.
- 2Si in domibus vestris scorpiones essent aut aspides, quantum laboraretis ut domus vestras purgaretis & securi habitare possetis? Irascimini, inueterantur irae in cordibus vestris, fiunt tot odia, tot scorpij tot serpentes, & domum Dei, id est, cor vestrum, purgare non vul•is? Aug. Hom. 42. in lib. 50. Ham.Si in domibus vestris scorpiones essent aut aspides, quantum laboraretis vt domus vestras purgaretis & securi habitare possetis? Irascimini, inueterantur irae in cordibus vestris, fiunt tot odia, tot scorpij tot serpentes, & domum Dei, id est, cor vestrum, purgare non vul•is? Aug. Hom. 42. in lib. 50. Ham.
- 3Revenge retained devilish.Reuenge retained diuellish.
