Downame - BV209_D69_G6_1640_v1

What is meant dy forgiving of our trefpailés: Pfal. 143. 2. Enter not into judgement, &c. Se- z., condly, becaufe whatfoever obedience we can per- form it is a debt and duty, Luke 17. io. When we have done ad that is commanded, we jy that we are unprofitable frvants: we have done that which was our duty to do, a e gA0A0. Rom.8. i 2. and 13.8. Gal. 5.3. Now certain it is that we cannot fatisfie debt with debt: but notwithiianding our latter obedience, we (hall be debtours in refped of the former debt un- fatisfied. Seeing therefore we are not able to fatisfie for the lean of our firms, our Saviour hath taught us to fay , not with that fervant, Matth. z 8.z 6. Have patience, Mafler, I will fatisfie; but, Lord, remit , take away, and blot out our o geniis. Furthermore, we are taught to pray that the Lord would remit our debts, that is, not onely forgive the fault but alto remit the punifhment in refpeft whereof finnes are called debts: And therefore it cannot be truly laid that God forgiveth the fault and reteineth the punifh- ment for which we our felves muíi fatisfie either in this life or in purgatory. For if God (hould require of us fatisfation for thole finnes which he pardon - eth in Chri f, it would follow neceítarily that either the fufferings of Chrift were unfufficient , or elfe that the Lord is unjutl. Moreover, it is abfurd that finne being remitted the punifhment íhould be re- teined: For finne is the caufe of puniíhment: and the caufe being taken away, the effe& alto is removed. And again, whereas finne is infinitely increafed in refpet of that infinite Majeílie and juílice of God which is violated,fure it is that we cannot fatisfie for it before we have endured endleii'e punifh ;rent; which 363 3