A49255:175
The penitent pardoned a treatise wherein is handled the duty of confession of sin…
The penitent pardoned a treatise wherein is handled the duty of confession of sin and the privilege of the pardon of sin : together with a discourse of Christs ascension into heaven and of his coming again from heaven : wherein the opinion of the Chiliasts is considered and solidly confuted / being the sum and substance of several sermons preached by that faithful servant of Christ, Mr. Christopher Love ...The penitent pardoned a treatise wherein is handled the duty of confession of sin and the priviledge of the pardon of sin : together with a discourse of Christs ascension into heaven and of his coming again from heaven : wherein the opinion of the Chiliasts is considered and solidly confuted / being the sum and substance of several sermons preached by that faithful servant of Christ, Mr. Christopher Love ...
London: printed for John Rothwell, 1657
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.
Secondly, Observe this further, the manner of the expression, the confession was in purpose and intention, but the forgiveness is actual: observe from hence this note, That God doth recompense the very gracious purposes as well as performances of his own servants; God forgave, but David did but purpose to confess; I said I will confess, and thou forgavest. O beloved what a God do ye serve! your masters are not pleased with your purposes to work, if you do no labour with your hands; you serve a God which takes will for work; God takes purposes if they be real, for performances. The Lord doth recompense not only gracious performances, but also gracious purposes in his own servants.
Secondly, Observe this further, the manner of the expression, the confession was in purpose and intention, but the forgivenesse is actuall: observe from hence this note, That God doth recompence the very gracious purposes as well as performances of his own servants; God forgave, but David did but purpose to confesse; I said I will confesse, and thou forgavest. O beloved what a God doe yee serve! your masters are not pleased with your purposes to work, if you doe no labour with your hands; you serve a God which takes will for work; God takes purposes if they be reall, for performances. The Lord doth recompense not onely gracious performances, but also gracious purposes in his owne servants.
The Use or corollary from hence is this:
The Vse or corollary from hence is this:
That wicked men look to it, God will not only punish their wicked practices, but their wicked purposes: Didst thou ever purpose to be unclean, or to deceive, and it may be thou wast interrupted, that thou couldst not have secrecy & opportunity? Why, God will punish thee for thy purpose, though thou never dost act it. Beloved, it is not only what evil thou hast done, but what evil thou wouldst have done: Wouldst not thou have been an oppressor, if the World would not have cried shame on thee? wouldst not thou have been a drunkard, if the world would not brand thee with infamy? God will punish wicked men for evil purposes.