Downame - BV209_D69_G6_1640_v1

;45a Ina is meant by forgiving our trefpafres. Again, ifevery one of us, be he never fo righte- ous, is bound to make this prayer that God would freely remit our fines, then it followeth that none ofus can difcharge the debt, or by any thing which we are able to perform fatisfie for our finnes, but ei- ther they mull be freely remitted for Chrifls fake, or elfe we mull fuf'er the punifhment due for them. Divine remiflion and humane fatisfac` ion cannot Rand together. We muff crave remiflion there- fore: we cannot fatisfie. Remiflion of finnes and juflification are free, Rom. 3. 24. Ephef. i. 7. Ifai.43. 2 5. but in fatisfation there is recompenfe. Therefore thofe that fruit to their own merits and ufe this prayer, they mock God and condemn themfelves : They mock God; becaufe they defire him to forgive their finnes, which they do not de- fire fhould be forgiven them, but trufl to fatisfie for them. They condemn themfelves; becaufe they confeffe themfelves to be debtours unto God un- leffe he remit their debt, and yet íland not to his remiflion, but to their own fatisfaElion, by which they appeal to his juflice rather then implore his mercy. No man can And that no man can fatisfie by any works of obe- iatisfieGods dience the juflice ofGod for his finnes, it may fur - juflice for hisfinnes; ther appear by thefe reafons. i. Becaule ourbefl proved. obedience is unperfeé, and our righteoufne.fl'e like eafon I. unto a polluted clout: and therefore if God fhould enter into judgement with us, he might juflly con- demn us for our bell a6tions,as being not performed in that manner and meafure which his law requi- reth, and therefore every one had need to pray as Pfal. .