Answ. 3 Thirdly: A Sin of Presumption is not a Sin of Infirmity: ⟨p. 387⟩Sins of Presumption, and Sins of Infirmity, are set in opposition one to the other, in Numbers, 15. and Psalm, 19. Now I pray, when doth a man sin out of Presumption, but when he sinneth because God is merciful? when he sinneth, because his Sin can, and may stand with Grace? when he sinneth, because the Sin is but an infirmity? when he sinneth, because he shall repent afterwards? Now this is ordinary. I have read of a certain young man, who being admonished of the evil of his way and course, and pressed to leave his wickedness, by the consideration of Judgment, Eternity, and Death a coming, that he said, Why tell ye me of these things? I will do well enough; for when Death comes, I will speak but three words, and will help all; and so he went on in the way of his Sin: but in the end, coming to a Bridge on Horse-back, to go over a deep Water, the Horse stumbling, and he labouring to recover his Horse, could not, but at last he let go the Bridle, and gave up himself, and Horse to the Waters, and was heard to say these three words; Devil take all. Here was three words indeed,1 and an Example for all men who think to repent with a three-word Repentance at last (viz. Lord have mercy) to take heed by.2 Such is the end of Presumption; and when a man doth therefore sin the rather, because God is merciful, or because the Sin is but a Sin of Infirmity, or because he hopes to repent afterward, or because his Sin may, and can stand with Grace, this is a Sin of Presumption, and is no Sin of Infirmity: Sins of Presumption, are no Sins of Infirmity.
Answ. 3 Thirdly: A Sin of Presumption is not a Sin of Infirmity: ⟨p. 387⟩Sins of Presumption, and Sins of Infirmity, are set in opposition one to the other, in Numbers, 15. and Psalm, 19. Now I pray, when doth a man sin out of Presumption, but when he sinneth because God is merciful? when he sinneth, because his Sin can, and may stand with Grace? when he sinneth, because the Sin is but an infirmity? when he sinneth, because he shal repent afterwards? Now this is ordinary. I have read of a certain yong man, who being admonished of the evil of his way and course, and pressed to leave his wickedness, by the consideration of Judgment, Eternity, and Death a coming, that he said, Why tel ye me of these things? I wil do wel enough; for when Death comes, I wil speak but three words, and wil help al; and so he went on in the way of his Sin: but in the end, coming to a Bridg on Hors-back, to go over a deep Water, the Horse stumbling, and he laboring to recover his Horse, could not, but at last he let go the Bridle, and gave up himself, and Horse to the Waters, and was heard to say these three words; Devil take all. Here was three words indeed,1 and an Example for all men who think to repent with a three-word Repentance at last (viz. Lord have mercy) to take heed by.2 Such is the end of Presumption; and when a man doth therefore sin the rather, because God is merciful, or because the Sin is but a Sin of Infirmity, or because he hopes to repent afterward, or because his Sin may, and can stand with Grace, this is a Sin of Presumption, and is no Sin of Infirmity: Sins of Presumption, are no Sins of Infirmity.
- 1Diabolus capiat omnia.
- 2Miserere mei Deus.
