Presumption
Presumption [1]
as it relates to the mind, is a supposition formed before examination. As it relates to the conduct or moral action, it implies arrogance or irreverence. As it relates to religion in general, it is a bold and daring confidence in the goodness of God, without obedience to his will.
Presumptuous sins must be distinguished from sins of infirmity, or those failings peculiar to human nature ( Ecclesiastes 7:20; 1 John 1:8-9); from sins done through ignorance ( Luke 12:48); and from sins into which men are hurried by sudden and violent temptation ( Galatians 6:1). The ingredients which render sin presumptuous are knowledge ( John 15:22), deliberation and contrivance ( Proverbs 6:14; Psalms 36:4), obstinacy ( Jeremiah 44:16; Deuteronomy 1:13), inattention to the remonstrances of conscience ( Acts 7:51), opposition to the dispensations of Providence ( 2 Chronicles 28:22), and repeated commission of the same sin ( Psalms 78:17). Presumptuous sins are numerous, such as profane swearing, perjury, theft, adultery, drunkenness, Sabbath-breaking, etc. These may be more particularly considered as presumptuous sins, because they are generally committed against a known law, and are so often repeated. Such sins are most heinous in their nature and most pernicious in their effects. They are said to be a reproach to the Lord ( Numbers 15:3); they harden the heart ( 1 Timothy 4:2); draw down judgments from heaven ( Numbers 15:31); and even when repented of, they are seldom pardoned without some visible testimony of God's displeasure ( 2 Samuel 12:10). As respects professors of religion, one observes, they sin presumptuously
(1) when they take up a profession of religion without principle;
(2) when they profess to ask the blessing of God and yet go on in forbidden courses;
(3) when they do not take religion as they find it in the Scriptures;
(4) when they make their feelings the test of their religion, without considering the difference between animal passion and the operations of the Spirit of God;
(5) when they run into temptation;
(6) when they indulge in self-confidence and self-complacency;
(7) when they bring the spirit of the world into the Church;
(8) when they form apologies for that in some which they condemn in others;
(9) when, professing to believe in the doctrines of the Gospel, they live licentiously;
(10) when they create, magnify, and pervert their troubles;
(11) when they arraign the conduct of God as unkind and unjust. See Walker, Sermons, vol. 1, ser. 3; South, Sermons, vol. 7:ser. 10, 11, 12; Tillotson, Sermons, ser. 147; Saurin, Sermons, vol. 1, ser. II; Goodwin, On the Aggravations of Sin; Fuller, Works; Paley, Sermons; Bishop Hopkins, On the Nature, Danger, and Cure of Presumptuous Sins.
