Downame - BV209_D69_G6_1640_v1

386 Reafons moving as to forgive. thy finnes all be forgiven when thou prayeft. One man beareth hatred againfl another, and cloth hefeek pardon from the Lord? He fheweth no mercy to a man which is like him f lf, and Both he ask forgivenef of his own finnes ? If he that is butflefb nouri¡h hatred, who will intr eat for pardon of his finnes ? Therefore Paul exhorteth us to pray , lifting up pure hands without an- ger, r .Tim. a .8. and Peter fignifieth that anger inter - 3. Keaton. rupteth this exercife of prayer, 1.Per. 3.7. 3. If we do not forgive our brother , in making this prayer we defire that the Lord would execute his ven- geance upon us rather then crave forgiveneffe, &c. For this caufe,as Augufline exhorteth,we are above all other finnes to lay afide anger and hatred when we come to pray. For this prayer obteineth pardon for other finnes ; but for this finne it doth not, but rather pulleth down vengeance upon him that del, reth revenge. I'retenfes of As for thofe reafons which we pretend for our thofe who anger, hatred, and defire of revenge, they are moll. will not for - vain, efpecially if we compare the debts of our bre- give taken away, thren to us with thofe which we defire to be for- given of the Lord. For fome will alledge, The of- fenf s which he hath committed againfl me are great, and I cannot put them up. But they are nothing to thofe finnes which thou haft committed againft God. 2. Tea, but he bath touched my good name. And thou by thy finnes haft difhonoured God, and haft caufed his holy name to be blafphemed. 3. Tea, but he is mine inferiour, &c. And what art thou to Gods 4. Yea, but the o fexfes which he hath committed againfl me are many, and he never maketh an endofdo- ing