A49255:407
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.
First, Sometimes God doth so order that the falling of a godly man into sin, shall abate pride in his heart; men of great parts are apt to be proud, God many times will let strong lusts attend strong gifts, the more to abate and keep under the exaltation of spirit, therefore saith Paul, I have the messengers of Satan to buffet me, that I might not be exalted above measure; God doth many times to keep under pride, let a temptation loose on a man, & so ⟨p. 91⟩God doth him good that way. Austin saith, I am not afraid to say, that it is profitable sometimes for good men to fall into sin.
Secondly, It will prevent many other sins; here is Gods great mercy, the putting of a man to pain takes away pain; God sometimes suffers a man to sin, that sin might keep out another sin; one sin may be so ordered by God to keep out another sin.
Thirdly, Falling into sin sometimes doth renew the work of repentance, the Lord sometimes lets them sleep that so he might awaken them by a greater humiliation, and to taste the more of the bitterness and fruit of sin, here then is Gods goodness to a sinner, that by letting him fall into a sin he doth thee good, and makes thee to renew repentance, and greatens humiliation in thy heart.
Thirdy, Falling into sin sometimes doth renew the work of repentance, the Lord sometimes lets them sleep that so he might awaken them by a greater humiliation, and to tast the more of the bitternesse and fruit of sin, here then is Gods goodnesse to a sinner, that by letting him fall into a sin he doth thee good, and makes thee to renew repentance, and greatens humiliation in thy heart.