2. To forgive is one of the highest evi- dences of grace. AVhen grace comes into the heart, it makes a man, as Caleb, of an- other spirit. Numb. xiv. 24. It makes a great metamorphosis, — it sweetens the heart, and fills it with Ioa e and candour. When a scion is grafted into a stock, it partakes of the nature and sap of the tree, and brings forth the same fruit ; take a crab, graft it into a pepin, it brings forth the same fruit as the pepin, so he who was once of a sour crabby disposition, given to revenge, when he is once ingrafted into Christ, he partakes of the sap of this heavenly olive, and bears sweet and generous fruit, he is full of love to his enemies, and requites good for evil. As the sun draws up many thick nox- ious vapours from the earth, and returns them in sweet showers, so a gracious heart returns the unkindnesses of others with the sweet influences of love and m. rcifulness, Ps. XXXV. 12, 13., " They rewarded me evil for good : but as for me, when they were Kick, my clothing was sackcloth, I humbled my soul with fasting." This is a good cer- tificate to shew for lieaven.
3. The blessed example of our Lord Je- sus ; he was of a forgiving spirit ; his ene- mies reviled him, but he did pity them ; their words were more bitter than the gall and vinegar they gave him, but Christ's words were smoother than oil ; they spat upon him, pierced him with the spear and nails, but he prayed for them, " Father, forgive them ; he wept over his enemies, he shed tears for them that shed his blood. Never such a pattern of amazing kind- ness ! Christ bids us learn of him. Mat. xi. 29., he doth not bid us lejirn of him to work miracles, but he would have us learn of him to forgive our enemies. If we do not imitate Christ's life, we cannot be saved by his death.
4. The danger of an implacable unfor<nv- ing spirit ; it hinders the efficacy of ordi- nances ; it is like an obstruction in the bo- dy, which keeps it from thriving. A re- vengeful spirit poisons our sacrifice, — our prayers are turned into sin, — will God re- ceive prayer mingled with this strange fire ? Our coming to the sacrament is sin, we come not in charity ; so that ordinances are turned into sin. It were sad if all the meat one did eat should turn to poison ; malice poisons the sacramental cup, men eat and drink their own damnation ; Judas came to the passover in malice, " and after the sop Satan entered," John. xiii. 27.
5. God hath tied his mercy to this con dition, if we do not forgive, neither will he forgive us. Mat. vi. 15., ." If ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your hea- venly Father forgive your trespasses." A man may j\s well go to hell, for not forgiv- ing, as for not believing. How can they expect mercy from God, whose bowels are shut up, and are merciless to their trespas- sing brethren? James ii. 13., " He shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy." I cannot forgive, said one, though I go to hell.
6. The examples of the saints who, have been of forgiving spirits. Joseph forgave his brethren, though they put him into a pit, and sold him, Gen. 1. 21., " Fear ye not, I will nourish you, and your little ones." Stephen ])rayed for his persecutors Moses was of a forgiving spirit ; how many injuiies and affronts did he put up? The
OF THE FIFTH PETITION IN THE LORD'S PRAYER.
553