A09432:968
A godly and learned exposition of Christs Sermon in the Mount
A godly and learned exposition of Christs Sermon in the Mount: preached in Cambridge by that reverend and judicious divine M. William Perkins. Published at the request of his executors by Th. Pierson preacher of Gods word. Whereunto is adjoined a twofold table: one, of special points here handled; the other, of choice places of Scripture here quotedA godly and learned exposition of Christs Sermon in the Mount: preached in Cambridge by that reuerend and iudicious diuine M. William Perkins. Published at the request of his exequutors by Th. Pierson preacher of Gods word. Whereunto is adioyned a twofold table: one, of speciall points here handled; the other, of choise places of Scripture here quoted
Cambridge : Printed by Thomas Brooke and Cantrell Legge, printers to the University of Cambridge, 1608Cambridge : Printed by Thomas Brooke and Cantrell Legge, printers to the Vniuersitie of Cambridge, 1608
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
II. Point. How doth these depend one upon an other, our forgiving of men, and Gods forgiving us? Ans. We must not conceive that our forgiving men their trespasses, is a cause why God forgives us: for we are by nature dead in sin, and can not do any good thing of our selves, till we be enabled thereunto of God: but our forgiving is a sign that God hath forgiven us, being indeed a fruit of our reconciliation with God: for it is a sign of true repentance, which is a fruit of faith, whereby we apprehend the mercy of God for the pardon of our sins in Christ.
II. Point. How doth these depend one vpon an other, our forgiuing of men, and Gods forgiuing vs? Ans. We must not conceiue that our forgiuing men their trespasses, is a cause why God forgiues vs: for we are by nature dead in sinne, and can not doe any good thing of our selues, till we be enabled thereunto of God: but our forgiuing is a signe that God hath forgiuen vs, beeing indeede a fruit of our reconciliation with God: for it is a signe of true repentance, which is a fruit of faith, whereby we apprehend the mercie of God for the pardon of our sinnes in Christ.
III. Point. How should our forgiveness, go before Gods forgiving1 us: for so the words seem to import, If you forgive—your heavenly father will forgive you, &c. Ans. The pardon of sin which God gives must be considered two ways: first, as it is given in heaven; secondly, as it is revealed and assured to the conscience of man: now the pardon of sin in heaven always goes before our forgiving others: but our assurance of pardon with God, follows after our forgiving of men: for a mans sins may be forgiven with God, and yet he may long remain without the assurance thereof in his own conscience: this we may see in David, for when Nathan said, cThe Lord hath put away thy sin, no doubt it was forgiven in heaven; but yet his d•arnest prayer for pardon afterward, […]wes plainly that he did not upon Nathans speech receive the comfortable assurance of pardon in his own conscience. This then is Christs meaning, that if we forgive men their trespasses, God will assure us in our consciences that he hath forgiven us; otherwise, if we will not forgive, God will deny us that assurance.