cand unpardonable. Wherefore the grant of repentance is not to be denied to such as fall into sin after Baptism. After we have received e It is most evident and plain that these things (see below Jer. iv. 1. Isa. lv. 7. Hos. vi. 1.) ought to be understood of them that were with the Lord before, and by their sins and wickedness were gone away from him. Hom. xxxii. 1. Of Peter no man can doubt but that he was grafted in our Saviour Jesus Christ, long before his denial. (John vi. 67, 68. Matt. xvi. 17.) These words are sufficient to prove that Peter was already justified, through this his lively faith in the onlybegotten Son of God, whereof he made so notable and so solemn a confession. But did not he most cowardly deny his Master? Hom. xxxii. 1. But as these examples are not brought in, to the end that we should thereby take a boldness to sin, presuming on the mercy and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. 2 Pet. ii. 20-22. c All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him; but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come. Matt. xii. 31, 32. Mark iii. 28. Luke xii. 10. d There is a sin unto death:and there is a sin not unto death. 1 John v. 16, 17. If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death. 1 John v. 16, 17. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John i. 9. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Isa. i. 18. Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many. So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up of overmuch sorrow. Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love to him. 2 Cor. ii. 6—8. e If thou wilt return, O Israel, saith the Lord, return unto me: and if thou wilt put away thine abominations out of my sight, then shalt thou not remove. Jer. iv. 1. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. Isa. lv. 7. Come, and let us return unto the Lord; for he hath torn, and he will heal us; for he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. Hosea vi. 1. Peter denied (Christ) before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.-Again he denied with an oath, I know not the man.-Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. Matt, xxvi. 70, 72, 74. When Solomon was old, his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God. 1 Kings xi. 4. His disciples said, Lord, teach us to pray: and he said unto them, When ye pray, ١٩٨٨ the Holy Ghost, we may depart from grace given, and 'fall into sin; and by the grace of and goodness of God; but to the end that if, through the frailness of our own flesh and the temptation of the devil, we fall into like sins, we should in no wise despair of the mercy and goodness of God; even so must we beware and take heed, that we do in no wise think in our hearts, imagine, or believe, that we are able to repent aright, or to turn effectually unto the Lord by our own might or strength. Hom. xxxii. 1. See Article X. f From all evil and mischief, from sin, from the crafts and assaults of the devil, from thy wrath, and from everlasting damnation, Good Lord, deliver us. From all blindness of heart, from pride, vain-glory, and hypocrisy, from envy, hatred, and malice, and all uncharitableness, Good Lord, deliver us. From fornication, and all other deadly sin, and from all the deceits of the world, the flesh, and the devil, Good Lord, deliver us. Litany. We ought to learn by them (Noah and Lot) this profitable lesson, that if so godly men as they were, which otherwise felt inwardly God's holy Spirit inflaming their hearts with the fear and love of God, could not by their own strength keep themselves from committing horrible sin, but did so grievously fall, that without God's great mercy they had perished everlastingly; how much more ought we then, miserable wretches, which have no feeling of God within us at all, continually to fear, not only that we may fall as they did, but also be overcome and drowned in sin, which they were not; and so by considering their fall, take the better occasion to acknowledge our own infirmity and weakness, and therefore more earnestly to call unto Almighty God with hearty prayer incessantly, for his grace to strengthen us, and to defend us from all evil. And though through infirmity we chance sometime to fall, yet we may by hearty repentance, and true faith, speedily rise again, and not sleep and continue in sin, as the wicked doth. Hom. xxii. 1. For when good men feel in themselves the heavy burthen of sin, see damnation to be the reward of it, and behold with the eye of their mind the horror of hell; they tremble, they quake, and are inwardly touched with sorrowfulness of heart for their say,-Lead us not into temptation. Luke xi. 1, 2, 4. Many saints (being) compelled (did) blaspheme. Acts xxvi. 10, 11. Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in depart ing from the living God. Heb. iii.) I have somewhat against thee, N God we may rise again, and amend our lives: and therefore they are to be condemned, which offences, and cannot but accuse themselves, and open this their grief unto Almighty God, and call unto him for mercy. Hom. xvi. 1. Almighty and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all them that are penitent; Create and make in us new and contrite hearts; that we worthily lamenting our sins, and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Coll. for Ash-Wednesday. Thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders. Spare thou them, O God, which confess their faults. Restore thou them that are penitent; according to thy promises declared unto mankind in Christ Jesu our Lord. Confession. Though the godly do fall, yet they walk not on purposely in sin, they stand not still to continue and tarry in sin; they sit not down like careless men, without all fear of God's just punishment for sin; but defying sin, through God's great grace and infinite mercy, they rise again and fight against sin. Hom. xvi. 2. Therefore, dearly beloved, if we chance at any time through frailty of the flesh to fall into sin-as it cannot be chosen, but we must needs fall often-and if we feel the heavy burden thereof to press our souls, tormenting us with the fear of death, hell, and damnation; let us then use that mean which God hath appointed in his word, to wit, the mean of faith; which is the only instrument of salvation. Hom. xxv. 2. Unto all them that will return unfeignedly unto the Lord their God, the favour and mercy of God unto forgiveness of sins is liberally offered. Whereby it followeth necessarily, that although we do, after we be once come to God, and grafted in his Son Jesus Christ, fall into great sins-yet if we rise again by repentance, and with a full purpose of amendment of life do flee unto the mercy of God, taking sure hold thereupon, through faith in his Son Jesus Christ, there is an assured and infallible hope of pardon and remission of the same; and that we shall be received again into the favour of our heavenly Father. Hom. xxxii. 1. and do the first works. Rev. ii. 4, 5. The cock crew, and Peter remembered the words of Jesus; and he went out and wept bitterly. Matt. xxvii. 19. Peter's confession of Christ. Acts ii. 23, &c. iii. 13, &c. iv. 10, &c. h Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual restore such an one in the say, they can no more sin as long as they live And if we turn to him with an humble and very penitent heart, he will receive us to his favour and grace for his holy name's sake, for his promise sake, for his truth and mercies sake, promised to all faithful believers in Jesus Christ, his only natural Son. Hom. viii. 2. Hear what comfortable words our Saviour Christ saith unto all that truly turn to him: Come unto me, all that travail and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you. Matt. xi. 28. So God loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, to the end that all that believe in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John iii. 16. Hear also what St. Paul saith: This is a true saying, and worthy of all men to be received, That Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. 1 Tim. i. 15. Hear also what Saint John saith: If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous : and he is the propitiation for our sins. 1 John ii. 1, 2. Priest. Lift up your hearts. Answer. We lift them up unto the Lord. Priest. Let us give thanks unto our Lord God. Answer. It is meet and right so to do. Communion Service. When the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. Ezekiel xviii. 27. I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Psalm li. 3. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Psalm li. 9. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Psalm li. 17. Rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God; for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. Joel ii. 13. To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him: neither have we obeyed the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in his laws which he set before us. Daniel ix. 9, 10. O Lord, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing. Jer. x. 24. Psalm vi. 1. Repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Matt. iii. 2. I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. Luke xv. 18, 19. Enter not into judgment with thy servant, O Lord; for in thy sight shall no man living be spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou be tempted. Gal. vi. 1. In many things we offend all. James iii. 2. Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin? Prov. xx. 9. There is not a just man upon earth that doeth good, and sinneth not. Eccl. vii. 20. here, or deny the place of forgiveness to such as truly repent. justified. Psalm cxliii. 2. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us: but if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John i. 8, 9. Introductory Sentences to the Morning Service. |