On the Fifth Petition

420. What is meant in the Lord's Prayer by our debts? Our sins. 421. Why are our sins called debts? Because we, having received all from God, ought to render all back to him--that is, subject all to his will and law; which if we do not, we are left debtors to his justice. 422. But who are our debtors? People who have not rendered us that which they owed us by the law of God; as, for instance, have not shown us love, but malice. 423. If God is just, how can we be forgiven our debts? Through the mediation of Jesus Christ. For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and man, the man Jesus Christ, who gave himself a ransom for all. 1 Tim. ii. 5, 6. 424. What will be the consequence, if we ask God to forgive us our sins without ourselves forgiving others? In that case neither shall we be forgiven. For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive you your trespasses. Matt. vi. 14, 15. 425. Why will not God forgive us if we do not forgive others? Because we hereby show ourselves evil, and so alienate from us God's goodness and 426. What disposition, then, must we have to use aright those words of the Lord's Prayer, As we forgive our debtors? These words absolutely require that when we pray we should bear no malice nor hatred, but be in peace and charity with all men. Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and, there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee, leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way: first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Matt. v. 23, 24. 427. But what am I to do if I can not readily find him who hath aught against me, or if he show himself unwilling to be reconciled? In such a case it is enough to be reconciled with him in heart, before the eyes of the all-seeing God. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Rom. xii. 18.