A44439:199
A second volume of discourses or sermons on several scriptures
A second volume of discourses or sermons on several scriptures by Ezekiel Hopkins ...
London: printed by E.H. for Nathanael Ranew, 1693
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Sermon 4: The Nature, Danger, Aggravations, and Cure of Presumptuous Sinning, &c. ON
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.
The Words are a most sincere and affectionate Prayer; and in them are observable,
First, The Person that makes it; and that is not a vile, notorious Sinner, one that used to be overcome by presumptuous Sins; but David, a Man after God's own heart, eminent for Holiness and Piety; Keep back thy Servant, says he, from presumptuous Sins.
Secondly, The Request and Petition it self; and that is, that God would keep him, not from Sins of common Frailty, and daily Infirmity, such as no Man's Holiness can exempt him from; but from Sins of Presumption; from daring and ranting Sins, such as one would think, that no Man that hath the least Holiness in him, could ever commit, Keep back thy Servant from presumptuous Sins. In this Petition two Things are evidently implied.
First, That strong propension that there is in the best to the worst Sins. Were it not so, what need David pray for restraining-Grace? Keep back thy Servant. Lord, my Corruptions hurry me with all violence into the greatest Sins; they persuade, they force, they drag, they draw, they thrust forward, and now, now I am going and yielding; but, Lord, with-hold me, put a curb and check upon these violent and head strong Corruptions of mine; keep back, keep me back from presumptuous Sins.