A51845:893
A practical exposition of the Lord's-Prayer
A practical exposition of the Lord's-Prayer by ... Thomas Manton.
London: printed by J.D., 1684
AN EXPOSITION OF THE Lord's-Prayer. › As we forgive our Debtors.
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.
Object. But it may be objected against this. Do you place so much in this property of forgiving others? It doth not agree only to pardoned Sinners, because we see some Carnal Men are of a weak and stupid Spirit, not sensible of Injuries: And (on the other side) many of God's Children find it hard to obtain to the perfect Oblivion of Injuries that is required of them.
Answ. As to the first part, I answer: We do not speak of this Disposition as proceeding from an easy Temper, but as it proceedeth from Grace; when in Conscience towards God, and out of a Sense of his Love to us in Christ, our Hearts being tendered and melted towards others, to show them such Mercy as we our selves have received from the Lord; that's the Evidence. And again, we do not press to judg by this Evidence single and alone, but in Conjunction with others; when they are humbly Penitent, and confessing their Sins, and turn to the Lord, which is the great Evangelical Condition. Job. 33. 27. If any, say I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not: Then will he restore light to him. When a Man is soundly touched with remorse, and seeth the folly of his former Courses, and asketh Pardon of God, then is God gracious to him. But this is that we say, that this Disposition of Pardon, in Conjunction with the great Evangelical ⟨p. 384⟩Condition of Faith and Repentance, it helpeth to make the Evidence more clear.
Answ. As to the first part, I answer: We do not speak of this Disposition as proceeding from an easy Temper, but as it proceedeth from Grace; when in Conscience towards God, and out of a Sense of his Love to us in Christ, our Hearts being tendered and melted towards others, to shew them such Mercy as we our selves have received from the Lord; that's the Evidence. And again, we do not press to judg by this Evidence single and alone, but in Conjunction with others; when they are humbly Penitent, and confessing their Sins, and turn to the Lord, which is the great Evangelical Condition.