3. God forgives often ; we run afresh u- pon the score, but God multiplies pardon, Isa. Ivii. 7. Peter asks the question. Mat. xviii. 21., " Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him ? Till se- ven times ? Jesus saith to him, I say not, until seven times, but, until sev^enty times seven." If he say, " I repent," you must say, " I remit."
Quest. But this is one of the highest acts of religion, flesh and blood cannot do it, — how shall I attain to it ?
Ans. 1 . Let us consider how many wrongs and injuries we have done against God, — what volume can hold our errata ? Our sins are more than the sparks in a furnace.
A. 2. If we would forgive, see God's hand in all that men do or say against us. Did we look higher than instruments, our hearts would grow calm, and we would not meditate revenge. Shimei reproached Da- vid and cursed ; David looked higher, 2 Sam. xvi. 11., " Let him alone, let him curse, for the Lord hath bidden him." What made Christ, that when he was revil- ed he reviled not again ? He looked beyond Judas and Pilate, he saw his Father put- ting the bitter cup into his hand : and as we must see God's hand in all the affronts and incivilities we receive from men, so we must believe God will do us good by all, if we belong to liim, 2 Sam. xvi. 12., " It may be the Lord will requite me good for his cursing this day." Qiiisfjuis detrahit fla- mes inea addet wercedi 7uece. Aug. He that injures me shall add to my reward ; lie that clij)s my name to make it weigh ighter, shall make my crown weigh hea-
vier. Well might Stephen pray for his e- nemies, " Lord, lay not this sin to their charge," Acts vii. 60. He knew they did but increase his glory in heaven ; every stone his enemies threw at him, added a pearl to his crown.
A. 3. Lay up a stock of faith, Luke xvii. 4., " If thy brother trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again unto thee, and say, I re- pent, thou shalt forgive him." And the a- postles said to the Lord, " increase our faith :" as if they had said, "We can never do this without a great deal of faith ; Lord, increase our faith." Believe God hath par- doned you, and you will pardon others ; only faith can throw dust upon injuries, and bury them in the grave of forgetful ness.
A. 4. Think how thou hast sometimes wronged others ; and may it not be just with God that the same measure you mete to others, should be measured to you again ? Hast not thou wronged others, if not in their goods, yet in their name? If thou hast not borne false witness against them, yet perhaps thou hast spoken falsely ot them : the consideration of this may make Christians bury injuries in silence.
A. 5. Get humble hearts. A proud man thinks it a disgrace to put up an injury. What causeth so many duels and murders but pride? "Be clothed with humility," 1 Pet. v. 5. He who is low in his own eyes, will not be troubled much though o- tliers lay him low : he knows there is a day coming, when there shall be a resurrection of names as well as bodies, and God will avenge him of his adversaries, Luke xviii. 7., " And shall not God avenge his own elect?" The humble soul leaves all his wrongs to God to requite, who hath said, " Vengeance is mine," Rom. xii. 19.
Use, Of comfort. Such as forgive, God will forgive them. You have a good argu- ment to plead with God for forgiveness. " Lo, I am willing to forgive him who makes me no satisfaction, and wilt not thou foririve me who hast received satisfaction in Christ my surety." So ends the fifth petition.
OF THE SIXTH PETITION IN THE LORD'S PRAYER.
55b
OF THE SIXTH PETITION IN THE LORD'S PRAYER.
Mat. vi. 13. And lead us not into temptation^ hut deliver us from evil.
TI11J5 petition consists of two parts. First, Deprecatory, " Lead us not into temptation." Secondly, Petitionary, " but deliver us from evil."
First, " Lead us not into temptation." Doth Cod lead into temptation ? God tempts no man to sin, James i. 13., " Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempt- ed of God, for God tempteth not any man." Clod doth permit sin, but doth not promote It. He who is an encourager of holiness cannot be a patron of sin. God doth not tempt to that which he hath an antipathy against. What king will tempt his subjects to bleak those laws which he himself hath established.
Quest. But is it not saidy God tempted Abraham? Gen. xxii. 1. ' Ans. Tempting there was no more than
trying. God tried Abraham's faith, as a goldsmith tries gold in the fire : but there is a great deal of difference be- tween God's trying his people's grace, and exciting their corruptions ; he trieth their grace, but doth not excite their corruptions; man's sin cannot be justly fathered on God. God tempts no man.
Quest. JVhal then is the meaning of this, Lead us not into temptation ?