05 The Fifth Petition in the Lord's Prayer contd

(7) Not to seek earnestly for pardon, is unspeakable misery to such as need forgiveness. It must needs be ill with that malefactor, who has not pardon. The unpardoned sinner, who lives and dies such, is under the greatest loss and privation. Is there any happiness like the enjoyment of God in glory? This is the joy of angels, the crown of glorified saints—but the unforgiven sinner shall not behold God’s smiling face; he shall see God as an enemy, not as a friend; he shall have an affrighting sight of God, not the beatific vision; he shall see the black rod of vengeance, not the mercy-seat of forgiveness. Sins unpardoned, are like the angel with a flaming sword, who stopped the passage to paradise. They stop the way to the heavenly paradise. How doleful is the condition of that soul, which is banished from the place of bliss, where the King of Glory keeps his court! The unpardoned sinner has nothing to do with any promise. The promises are the breasts which hold the sincere milk of the Word, which fill the soul with precious sweetness. They are the royal charter: but what has a stranger to do to meddle with the charter? It was the dove which plucked the olive branch; it is only the believer who plucks the tree of the promise. Until the condition of the promise is performed, no man can have right to the comfort of it; and how sad is it not to have one promise to show for heaven! An unpardoned sinner is continually in danger of the outcry of an accusing conscience. An accusing conscience is a little hell. We tremble to hear a lion roar: how terrible are the roarings of conscience! Judas hanged himself to quiet his conscience. A sinner’s conscience at present is either asleep or seared; but when God shall awaken it, either by affliction or at death, how will the unpardoned sinner be affrighted! When a man shall have all his sins set before his eyes, and drawn out in their bloody colors, and the worm of conscience begins to gnaw, oh, what a trembling at heart will the sinner have!

All the curses of God stand in full force against an unpardoned sinner. His very blessings are cursed. "I will curse your blessings." Malachi 2:2. His table is a snare; he eats and drinks a curse. What comfort could Dionysius have at his feast, when he imagined he saw a naked sword hanging by a thread over his head? It is enough to spoil a sinner’s banquet, that a curse like a naked sword, hangs over his head. Caesar wondered to see one of his soldiers who was in debt so merry. It is astonishing, that an unpardoned man could be merry, who is heir to all God’s curses! He does not see these curses—but is blinder than Balaam’s donkey, who saw the angel’s drawn sword. The unpardoned sinner is in a dreadful case at death. Luther professed there were three things which he dared not think of without Christ—of his sins, of death, and of the day of judgment. Death to a Christless soul is the "king of terrors." As the prophet Ahijah said to Jeroboam’s wife, "I am sent to you with heavy tidings" (1 Kings 14:6). Just so, death is sent to the unpardoned soul with heavy tidings. Death is God’s jailer to arrest him. Death is a prologue to damnation. It takes away all earthly comforts, it takes away sugared morsels; no more drinking wine in bowls, no more mirth or music. "The music of harpists and musicians, flute players and trumpeters, will never be heard in you again." Revelation 18:22. The sinner shall never more taste of luscious delights, for all eternity; his honey shall be turned into the "gall of asps." Job 20:14. At death, an end shall be put to all reprieves. Now God reprieves a sinner, he spares him such a fit of sickness; he respites him many years. The sinner should have died at such a drinking bout—but God granted him a reprieve; he lengthened out the silver thread of patience to a miracle; but when the sinner dies without repentance, and unpardoned, the lease of God’s patience is run out, and he must appear in person before the righteous God to receive his sentence; after which, there shall be none to bail him, nor shall he hear of a reprieve any more.

(6) The sinner dying unpardoned, must go into damnation! This is the second death—an undying death. The unpardoned soul must forever bear the anger of a sin-revenging God. As long as God is God—so long the vial of his wrath shall be dropping upon the damned soul. This is a helpless condition. There is a time when a sinner will not be helped; Christ and salvation are offered to him—but he slights them, he will not be helped; and there is a time shortly coming when he cannot be helped; he calls out for mercy, "Oh! a pardon, a pardon! but it is too late, the date of mercy is expired!" Oh! how sad, then, is it to live and die unpardoned! You may lay a grave-stone upon that man, and write this epitaph upon it, "It would have been good for that man--if he had never been born!" Now, if the misery of an unpardoned state is so inexpressible, how should we labor for forgiveness, that we may not be engulfed in so dreadful a labyrinth of fire and brimstone to all eternity!

(7) Such as are unpardoned, must needs lead uncomfortable lives. "Your life shall hang in doubt before you, and you shall fear day and night." Deuteronomy 28:66. Thus the unpardoned sinner must needs have a palpitation and trembling at the heart. "Fear has torment." 1 John 4:18. The Greek word for torment, kolasis, is used sometimes for hell; fear has hell in it. A man in debt fears, every step he goes, lest he should be arrested. Just so, the unpardoned sinner fears, what if this night death, death which is God’s sergeant, should arrest him! "Why do you not pardon my transgression? For now shall I sleep in the dust;" as if Job had said, "Lord, I shall shortly die, I shall sleep in the dust; and what shall I do if my sins be not pardoned?" Job 7:21. What comfort can an unpardoned soul take in anything? Surely no more than a prisoner can take in food or music—who lacks his pardon. Therefore, by all these powerful motives, let us labor for the forgiveness of sins. But I am discouraged from going to God for pardon, for I am unworthy of forgiveness; what am I, that God should show such a favor to me?

God forgives—not because we are worthy—but because he is gracious. "The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious." Exodus 34:6. He forgives out of his mercy; acts of pardon are acts of grace. What worthiness was there in Paul before conversion? He was a blasphemer, and so he sinned against the first table of the law; he was a persecutor, and so he sinned against the second table of the law; but free grace sealed his pardon. "I obtained mercy;" I was all bestrewed with mercy. 1 Timothy 1:13. What worthiness was in the woman of Samaria? She was ignorant. John 4:22. She was immoral; ver 18. She was morose and churlish, she would not give Christ so much as a cup of cold water; ver 9. "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?" What worthiness was here? Yet Christ overlooked all, and pardoned her ingratitude; and though she denied him water out of the well—yet he gave her the water of life. Free grace does not find us worthy—but makes us worthy! Therefore, notwithstanding unworthiness, seek to God, that your sins may be pardoned.

"But I hare been a great sinner—and surely God will not pardon me"

David brings it as an argument for pardon. "Pardon my iniquity, for it is great." Psalms 25:11. When God forgives great sins, he does a work like himself. The greater the desperateness of the wound—the more it sets forth the virtue of Christ’s blood in curing it. Mary Magdalene, out of whom seven devils were cast, was a great sinner—yet she had her pardon! When some of the Jews, who had a hand in crucifying Christ, repented—the very blood they shed sealed their pardon! Consider sins either for their number as the sands of the sea, or for their weight as the rocks of the sea—yet there is mercy enough in God to forgive them! "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow." Isaiah 1:18. Scarlet signifies twice dipped, which no art of man can get out—yet God can wash out this scarlet dye! There is no sin exempted from pardon—but that sin which despises pardon, the sin against the Holy Spirit. Matthew 12:31. Therefore, O sinner, do not cast away your anchor of hope—but go to God for forgiveness. The vast ocean has bounds set to it—but God’s pardoning mercy is boundless! He can as easily forgive great sins as little sins; as the sea can cover great rocks and little sands. Nothing hinders pardon—but the sinner’s not asking it! That a great sinner should not despair of forgiveness, we may learn from this Scripture: "I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions." If you look on the foregoing words, you would wonder how this verse comes in. "You have burdened me with your sins and wearied me with your offenses;" and then it follows, "I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions." Isaiah 43:24-25. One would have thought it should have run thus, "You have burdened me with your sins and wearied me with your offenses; I, even I, am he who will punish your iniquities;" but God comes in a mild loving strain, "You have burdened me with your sins and wearied me with your offenses; I am he who blots out your iniquities." So that the greatness of our sins should not discourage us from going to God for forgiveness. Though you have committed acts of impiety—yet God can come with an act of forgiveness, and say, "I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions." God counts it his glory to display free grace in its most brilliant colors. "Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound." Romans 5:20. When sin becomes exceeding sinful, free grace becomes exceeding glorious! God’s pardoning love can conquer the sinner, and triumph over the sin! Consider, you almost despairing soul, there is not so much sin in man—as there is mercy in God. Man’s sin in comparison to God’s mercy—is but as a spark in the ocean; and who would doubt whether a spark could be quenched in an ocean?

"But I have relapsed into the same sins, and how can I have the face to come to God for pardon of those sins into which I have more than once fallen?"

Abraham twice equivocated; Lot committed incest twice; Peter sinned thrice by carnal fear; but they repented, and they had absolution.

There is a twofold relapse:

(1) There is a willful relapse, when, after a man has solemnly vowed himself to God, he falls into a league with sin, and returns back to it. "I have loved strangers, and after them will I go" (Jeremiah 2:25); and

(2) There is a relapse through infirmity, when the bent and resolution of a man’s heart is against sin—but, through the violence of temptation, and withdrawing of God’s grace—he is carried down the stream against his will. Now, though willful and continued relapses are desperate, and tend to waste the conscience, and run men upon the precipice of damnation—yet if they are through infirmity, and we mourn for them, we may obtain forgiveness. A godly man does not march after sin as his general—but is led captive by it; and the Lord will pity a captive prisoner. Christ commands us to forgive a trespassing brother seventy times seven. Matthew 18:22. If he bids us do it, much more will he forgive a relapsing sinner in case he repent. "Return, O backsliding Israel, for I am merciful, says the Lord." Jeremiah 3:12. It is not falling once or twice into the mire which drowns—but lying there. Just so, it is not once relapsing into sin—but lying in sin impenitently which damns.

"But God requires so much sorrow and humiliation before remission, that I fear I shall never arrive at it!"

He requires no more humiliation than may fit a soul for mercy. Many a Christian thinks, because he has not filled God’s bottle so full of tears as others, he is not humbled enough to receive pardon. But God’s dealings are various; all have not the like pangs in the new birth. Some are won with love; the sense of God’s mercy abused causes ingenuous tears to flow. Others are more flagitious and hardened, and God deals with them more roughly. That soul is humbled enough to receive a pardon which is brought to a thorough sense of sin, and sees the need of a Savior, and loves him as the fairest of ten thousand. Therefore be not discouraged, for if your heart is bruised from sin and broken off from it, your sin shall be blotted out. No sooner did Ephraim weep, than God’s affections were working. "My affections are troubled for him; I will surely have mercy upon him." Jeremiah 31:20.

Having answered these objections, let me beseech you, above all things—labor for the forgiveness of sin! Think with yourselves how great a mercy it is: it is one of the richest jewels in the cabinet of the new covenant. "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven." Psalms 32:1: In the Hebrew it is "blessednesses". And think of the unparalleled misery of those whose sins are not forgiven! Such as did not have the blood of the paschal lamb sprinkled upon their door-posts, were destroyed by the angel. Exodus 12:1-51. Just so, those who do not have Christ’s blood sprinkled on them, to wash away the guilt of sin, will fall into the gulf of perdition! If you resolve to seek after forgiveness, do not delay!

Many say they will get their pardon—but they procrastinate and put it off so long that it is too late. When the shadows of the evening are stretched forth, and the night of death approaches, they begin to look after their pardon. This has been the undoing of millions. They purpose to look after their souls—but they wait so long, until the lease of mercy has run out. Oh, therefore, hasten to get pardon! Think of the uncertainty of life. What security have you, that you shall live another day? [The fleeting hour flies on fickle wings.] Our life is a candle, which is soon blown out; it is made up of a few flying minutes. O you dust and ashes! You may fear every hour, to be blown into your grave! And what if death comes to arrest you before your pardon is sealed?

Plutarch reports of one Archias, who being among his cups when a letter was delivered to him, and he was requested to read it, as it was about serious business, he said, "I will mind serious things tomorrow." But that night he was slain! You who say, "Tomorrow I will repent, I will get my pardon," you may suddenly be slain; therefore today, while it is called today, look after the forgiveness of sin. After awhile, all the fountains of mercy will be stopped, there will not be one drop of Christ’s blood to be had! There are no pardons after death!

Use 3. Let us labor to have the evidence that our sins are forgiven. A man may have his sins forgiven and not know it; he may have a pardon in the court of heaven when he has it not in the court of conscience. David’s sin was forgiven as soon as he repented. God sent Nathan the prophet to tell him so. 2 Samuel 12:13. But David did not feel the comfort of it at once, as appears by the penitential Psalm composed afterwards. "Make me to hear joy;" and "Cast me not away from your presence." Psalms 51:8; Psalms 51:11. It is one thing to be pardoned; and another to feel it. The evidence of pardon may not appear for a time, and this may be:

(1) From the weakness of faith. Forgiveness of sin is so strange and infinite a blessing, that a Christian can hardly persuade himself that God will extend such a favor to him. As it is said of the apostles when Christ first appeared to them, "They did not believe it because of joy and amazement," (Luke 24:41)—so the soul may be so stricken with admiration, that the wonder of pardon staggers its faith.

(2) A man may be pardoned and not know it from the strength of temptation. Satan accuses the godly of sin, and tells them, that God does not love them; and should such sinners think of pardon? Believers are compared to bruised reeds; and temptations to winds. Matthew 12:20; chap 7:25. Now, a reed is easily shaken with the wind. Temptations shake the godly; and though they are pardoned—yet they know it not. Job in a temptation thought God was his enemy, and yet he was then in a pardoned condition. Job 16:9.

"Why does God sometimes conceal the evidence of pardon?"

(1) Though he pardons, he may withhold the sense of it for a time, because he would lay us lower in contrition. He would have us see what an evil and bitter thing it is to offend him. Therefore we must lie longer in the briny tears of repentance before we have the sense of pardon. It was long before David’s broken bones were set, and his pardon sealed—that his heart might be more contrite; and this was a sacrifice which God delighted in.

(2) Though God has forgiven sin, he may deny the manifestation of it for a time, to make us prize pardon, and make it sweeter to us when it comes. The difficulty of obtaining a mercy enhances its value. When we have been a long time tugging at prayer for a pardon of sin, and still God withholds—but at last, after many sighs and tears, it comes—we esteem it the more, and it is sweeter. [The longer the delay—the sweeter the rejoicing.] The longer mercy is in the birth—the more welcome will the deliverance be.

Let us not be content however, without the evidence and sense of pardon. He who is pardoned and knows it not, is like one who has a wealthy estate bequeathed to him—but knows it not. Our comfort consists in the knowledge of forgiveness. "Make me to hear joy." Psalms 51:8. There is a jubilee in the soul when we are able to read our pardon. To the witness of conscience, God adds the witness of his Spirit; and in the mouth of these two witnesses our joy is confirmed. O labor for the evidence of forgiveness!

"How shall we know that our sins are forgiven?"

We must not be our own judges in this case. "He who trusts in his own heart is a fool." Proverbs 28:26. "The heart is deceitful." Jeremiah 17:9. It is folly to trust a deceiver. The Lord only by his Word must judge whether we are pardoned or not. As under the law no leper might judge himself to be clean—but the priest was to pronounce him clean, (Leviticus 13:37). Just so, we are not to judge ourselves to be clean from the guilt of sin—until we are such as the Word of God pronounces to be clean.

"How shall we know by the Word that our sins are pardoned?"

(1) The pardoned sinner is a great weeper. The pardoned sinner is a great weeper. The sense of God’s love melts his heart. "That free grace should ever look upon me--that such crimson sins as mine should be washed away in Christ’s blood--makes my heart melt and my eyes drop with tears!" Never did any man read his pardon with dry eyes. "She stood at his feet weeping." Luke 7:38. Mary’s tears were more precious to Christ than her ointment; her eyes, which before sparkled with lust, now became a fountain, and washed Christ’s feet with her tears. She was a true penitent, and had her pardon. "Therefore, I say, her sins, which are many, are forgiven;" ver 47. Pardon of sin, will make the hardest heart soften, and cause the stony heart to bleed. Is it thus with us? Have we been dissolved into tears for sin? God seals his pardons upon melting hearts.

(2) We may know our sins are forgiven by having the grace of faith. "To him give all the prophets witness, that whoever believes in him shall receive remission of sins." Acts 10:43. In saving faith there are two things—renunciation and recumbency:

[1] Renunciation. A man renounces all opinion of himself; and he is quite taken off from himself. Php 3:9. He sees all his duties are but broken reeds; though he could weep a sea of tears; though he had all the grace of men and angels, it could not purchase his pardon.

[2] Recumbency. The soul gets hold of Christ as Adonijah did of the horns of the altar. 1 Kings 1:51. Faith casts itself into the stream of Christ’s blood, and says, "If I perish, I perish!" If we have but the least grain of this precious faith, we have something to show for pardon. This faith is acceptable to God—it pleases him more than offering up ten thousand rivers of oil, than working miracles, than martyrdom, or the highest acts of obedience. This faith is profitable to us; it is our best certificate to show for pardon. No sooner does faith reach forth its hand to receive Christ, than Christ sets his hand to our pardon.

(3) The pardoned soul is an admirer of God. "Who is a God like unto you—who pardons iniquity!" Micah 7:18. "Oh, that God should ever look upon me! I was a sinner, and nothing but a sinner—yet I obtained mercy! Who is a God like unto you! Mercy has been despised, and yet that mercy saves me! Christ has been crucified by me—yet his cross crowns me! God has displayed the ensigns of free grace, he has set up his mercy above my sin, nay, in spite of it. This causes admiration. Who is a God like you!" A man who goes over a narrow bridge in the night, and next morning sees the danger he was in, how miraculously he escaped, is filled with admiration. Just so, when God shows a man how near he was falling into hell, how that gulf is passed, and all his sins are pardoned, he is amazed, and cries out, "Who is a God like unto you, who pardons my iniquity! That God should pardon me and pass by others—that I should be taken and others left—fills my soul with wonder and astonishment!"

(4) Wherever God pardons sin—he subdues it. "He will have compassion on us, he will subdue our iniquities." Micah 7:19. Where men’s persons are justified, their lusts are mortified. There is in sin, a commanding and a condemning power. The condemning power of sin is taken away, when its commanding power is taken away. We know our sins are forgiven, when they are subdued. If a malefactor is in prison, how shall he know that his prince has pardoned him? If the jailor comes and knocks off his chains and fetters, and lets him out of prison; then he knows he is pardoned. Just so, we know God has pardoned us, when the fetters of sin are broken off, and we walk at liberty in the ways of God. "I will walk at liberty;" this is a blessed sign that we are pardoned. Psalms 119:45. Such as are washed in Christ’s blood from guilt, are made kings to God. Revelation 1:6. As kings, they rule over their sins.

(5) He whose sins are forgiven—is full of love to God. Mary Magdalene’s heart was fired with love. "Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much." Luke 7:47. Her love was not the cause of her remission—but a sign of it. A pardoned soul is a monument of mercy, and he thinks he can never love God enough. He wishes he had a coal from God’s altar to inflame his heart in love, he wishes he could borrow the wings of the cherubim that he might fly swifter in obedience; a pardoned soul is sick with love. He whose heart is like marble, locked up in impenitence, which does not melt in love, gives evidence that his pardon is yet unsealed.

(6) Where sin is pardoned—the nature is purified. "I will heal their backslidings, I will love them." Hosea 14:4. Every man, by nature, is both guilty and diseased. When God remits the guilt, he cures the disease. "Who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases." Psalms 103:3. Herein God’s pardon goes beyond the king’s pardon; the king may forgive a malefactor—but he cannot change his heart, which may be a thievish heart still; but when God pardons, he changes the heart. "A new heart also will I give you." Ezekiel 36:26. A pardoned soul is adorned and embellished with holiness. "This is he who came by water and blood." 1 John 5:6. When Christ comes with blood to justify, he comes with water to cleanse. "I have caused your iniquity to pass from you, and I will clothe you with change of raiment." Zechariah 3:4. I will cause your iniquity to pass from you—there is pardoning grace; and I will clothe you with change of raiment—there is sanctifying grace. Let no one say he has pardon, who has not grace. Many tell us they hope they are pardoned, who were never sanctified. They believe in Christ; but what faith is it? A swearing faith, a whoring faith; the faith of devils is as good!

(7) Such as are in the number of God’s people have forgiveness of sin. "Comfort my people, cry unto her, that her iniquity is pardoned." Isaiah 40:1-2.

How shall we know that we are God’s elect people? By three characters.

God’s people are a HUMBLE people. The clothing which all Christ’s people wear, is humility. "Be clothed with humility." 1 Peter 5:5. A sight of God’s glory humbles. Elijah wrapped his face in a mantle when God’s glory passed by. "Now my eye sees you, therefore I abhor myself." Job 13:5-6. The stars vanish when the sun appears. A sight of sin humbles. In the glass of the Word the godly see their spots, and they are humbling spots. "Lo," says the soul, "I can call nothing my own but sins and needs!" A humble sinner is in a better condition than a proud angel.

God’s people are a WILLING people. "A people of willingness;" love constrains them; they serve God freely, and out of choice. Psalms 110:3. They stick at no service; they will run through a sea, and a wilderness; they will follow the Lamb whithersoever he goes.

God’s people are a HEAVENLY people. "They are not of the world." John 17:16. God’s people have a heavenly motion of the soul, contrary to the men of the world. They use the world as their servant—but do not follow the world as their master. "Our citizenship is in heaven." Php 3:20. Such as have these three characters of God’s people, have a good certificate to show that they are pardoned. Forgiveness of sin belongs to them. "Comfort my people," tell them their iniquity is forgiven.

(8) We are pardoned, if, after many storms, we have a sweet calm and peace within. "Being justified, we have peace." Romans 5:1. After many a bitter tear shed, and heart-breaking, the mind has been more sedate, and a sweet serenity or still music has followed; which brings the tidings that God is appeased. Before conscience accused, now it secretly whispers comforts, which is a blessed evidence that a man’s sins are pardoned. If the bailiffs do not trouble and arrest the debtor—it is a sign his debt is forgiven. Just so, if conscience does not vex or accuse—but upon good grounds whispers consolation—it is a sign that the debt is discharged, and the sin is forgiven.

(9) Sin is forgiven when we have hearts sincere. "Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit." Psalms 32:1-2.

What is it to be sincere?

He who is sincere, has plainness of heart. He is without collusion, he has not a double heart; his heart is right with God. A man may do a right action—but not with a right heart. "Amaziah did that which was right in the sight of the Lord—but not with a perfect heart." 2 Chronicles 25:2. To have the heart right with God, is to serve him from a right principle—which is love; by a right rule—the Word; to a right end—the glory of God.

He who has a sincere heart—dares not allow itself in the least sin; it avoids secret sins. The man dares not hide any sin, as Rachel did her father’s idols, under her. Genesis 31:34. He knows God sees him, which is more than if men and angels beheld him. He avoids besetting sins. "I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from my iniquity." Psalms 18:23. As in the hive there is a master-bee—so in the heart there is a master-sin. A sincere heart sincere takes the sacrificing knife of mortification, and runs it through its beloved sin!

He who has a sincere heart—desires to know the whole mind and will of God. An unsound heart is afraid of the light, it is not willing to know its duty. A sincere soul says (as Job 34:32), "That which I see not, teach me." "Lord, show me what is my duty, and wherein I offend; let me not sin for lack of light; what I know not, teach me."

He who has a sincere heart—is uniform in religion. The man has an equal eye to all God’s commands. He makes conscience of private duties; he worships God in his closet as well as in the temple. When Jacob was alone, he wrestled with the angel. Genesis 32:23-24. So a Christian, when alone, wrestles with God in prayer, and will not let him go until he has blessed him. He performs difficult duties, wherein the heart and spirit of religion lie, and which cross flesh and blood; he is much in self-humbling and self-examining. He rather uses the looking-glass of the Word to look into his own heart—than the broad spectacles of censure to spy the faults of others.

He who has a sincere heart—is true to God’s interest. He grieves to see it go ill with the church. Nehemiah, though the king’s cupbearer, and wine so near, was sad when Zion’s glory was eclipsed. Nehemiah 2:3. Like the tree of which I have read, if any of the leaves of which are cut, the rest shrink up of themselves, and for a time hang down. Just so, when God’s church suffers, a sincere soul feels himself touched in his own person. He rejoices to see the cause of God get ground—to see truth triumph, piety lift up her head, and the flowers of Christ’s crown flourish. This is a sincere heart—it is loyal and true to God’s interest.

He who has a sincere heart—is just in his dealings. As he is upright in his words—so he is in his weights. He makes conscience of the second table of the law, as well as the first table; he is for equity as well as piety. "See that no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter." 1 Thessalonians 4:6. A sincere person thinks he may as well rob as defraud; his rule is to do to others what he would have them do to him. Matthew 7:12.

He who has a sincere heart—is true in his promises; his word is as good as his bond. If he has made a promise, though it be to his harm, and entrenches upon his profit, he will not go back. The hypocrite plays fast and loose, flees from his word; there is no more binding him with oaths and promises, than Samson could be bound with green withs. Judges 16:7. A sincere soul says as Jephthah, "I have opened my mouth unto the Lord—and I cannot go back." Judges 11:35.

He who has a sincere heart—is faithful in his friendship; he is what he appears; his heart goes along with his tongue, as a well-made dial goes with the sun. He cannot flatter and hate, commend and censure. Counterfeiting of love is hypocrisy. It is too usual to betray with a kiss. Joab took Abner by the beard to kiss him, and smote him in the fifth rib that he died. 2 Samuel 20:9-10. Many deceive with sugar words. Physicians judge of the health of the body by the tongue; if that looks well, the body is in health; but we cannot judge of friendship by the tongue. The words may be full of honey, when the heart has the gall of malice! His heart is not true to God, who is treacherous to his friend. Thus you see what a sincere heart is; and that to have such a heart is a sign that sin is pardoned. "Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit." Psalms 32:2. What a blessed thing is it not to have sin imputed! If our sins are not imputed, it is as if we had no sin; sins remitted are as if they had not been committed. This blessing belongs to a sincere soul. God imputes not iniquity to him a sincere soul.

(10) He whose sins are forgiven is willing to forgive others who have offended him. "Forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you." Ephesians 4:32. A hypocrite will read, come to church, give alms, build hospitals—but cannot forgive wrongs; he will rather lack forgiveness from God than he will forgive his enemies. A pardoned soul argues thus: "Has God been so good to me to forgive me my sins—and shall I not imitate him in this? Has he forgiven me pounds, and shall I not forgive pence?" It is noted of Cranmer, that he was of a forgiving spirit, and would do deeds of love to all who had injured him. The Christian is like the sun, which having drawn up black vapors from the earth, returns them back in sweet showers. By this touchstone, we may try whether our sins are pardoned. We need not climb up to heaven to see whether our sins are forgiven—but only look into our hearts. Are we of forgiving spirits? Can we bury injuries, requite good for evil? This would be a good sign that we are forgiven of God. If we can find all these things wrought in our souls, they are happy signs that our sins are pardoned, and are good letters testimonial to show for heaven.

Use 4. For consolation. I shall open a box of cordials, and show you some of the glorious privileges of a pardoned condition. This is a peculiar favor, it is a spring shut up, and unsealed for none but the elect. The wicked may have forbearing mercy—but only an elect person has forgiving mercy. Forgiveness of sin makes way for solid joy. "Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak comfortably to Jerusalem;" or, as in the Hebrew, "speak to her heart." Isaiah 40:1-2. What was to cheer her heart? "Cry unto her, that her iniquity is pardoned!" If anything would comfort her, the Lord knew it was this. When Christ would cheer the palsied man, he said, "Son, be of good cheer, your sins are forgiven." Matthew 9:2. It was a greater comfort to have his sins forgiven than to have his palsy healed. This made David put on his best clothes, and anoint himself 2 Samuel 12:20. His child had just died, and God had told him "the sword shall never depart from your house;" yet now he spruces up himself, puts on his best clothes, and anoints himself; why was this? He had heard good news, God sent him pardon by Nathan the prophet. "The Lord has put away your sin." 2 Samuel 12:13. This could not but revive his heart, and, in token of joy, he anointed himself. Surely he who is pardoned has such a divine melody in his soul as replenishes him with infinite delight. When Christ said to Mary Magdalene, "Your sins are forgiven," he soon added, "go in peace." Luke 7:50. More particularly:

(1) God looks upon a pardoned soul as if he had never sinned. As cancelling a bond nulls the bond, and makes it as if the money had never been owing—so forgiving sin makes it not to be. Where sin is remitted, it is as if it had not been committed. So that, as Rachel wept because her children were not—so a child of God may rejoice because his sins are not. Jeremiah 50:20. God looks upon him as if he had never offended. Though sin remains in him after pardon—yet God does not look upon him as a sinner—but as a just man.

(2) God having pardoned sin, will pass an act of oblivion. "I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more." Jeremiah 31:34. When a creditor has crossed off the book, he does not call for the debt again. God will not reckon with the sinner in a judicial way. When our sins are laid upon the head of Christ, our scapegoat, they are carried into a land of forgetfulness.

(3) The pardoned soul is forever secured from the wrath of God. How terrible is God’s wrath! "Who knows the power of your anger?" Psalms 90:11. If a spark of God’s wrath lighting upon a man’s conscience fills it with horror, what is it to be always scorched in that torrid zone, to lie upon beds of flames! Now, from this avenging wrath of God every pardoned soul is freed. Though he may taste the bitter cup of affliction, he shall never drink of the sea of God’s wrath. "Being justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him." Romans 5:9. Christ’s blood quenches the flames of hell.

(4) Sin being pardoned, conscience has no more authority to accuse. Conscience roars against the unpardoned sinner—but it cannot terrify or accuse him who is pardoned. God has discharged the sinner, and if the creditor discharges the debtor, what right has the sergeant to arrest him? The truth is, if God absolves, conscience if rightly informed, absolves. If once God says, "Your sins are pardoned," conscience says, "Go in peace." If the sky is clear, and no storms blow there, the sea is calm; so, if all is clear above, and God shines with pardoning mercy upon the soul, conscience is calm and serene.

(5) Nothing which befalls a pardoned soul shall hurt him. "There shall no evil befall you;" that is, no destructive evil. Psalms 91:10. Everything to a wicked man is hurtful. Good things are for his hurt. His very blessings are turned into a curse. "I will curse your blessings." Malachi 2:2. Riches and prosperity do him hurt. They are not favors—but snares. "Gold snares." "Riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt." Ecclesiastes 5:13. Like Haman’s banquet, which ushered in his funeral. Ordinances do a sinner hurt; they are a "savor of death." 2 Corinthians 2:16. Cordials themselves kill. The best things hurt the wicked. But the worst things which befall a pardoned soul shall do him no hurt. The sting, the poison, the curse is gone. His soul is no more hurt, than David hurt Saul, when he cut off the lap of his garment.

(6) To a pardoned soul, everything has a commission to do him good. Afflictions do him good; as do poverty, reproach, and persecution. "You thought evil against me—but God meant it for good." Genesis 50:20. As the elements, though of contrary qualities, are so tempered that they work for the good of the universe—so the most cross providences work for good to a pardoned soul. Correction as a corrosive eats out sin; it cures the swelling of pride, the fever of lust, and the cancer of avarice. It is a refining fire to purify grace, and make it sparkle as gold. Every cross providence, to a pardoned soul, is like Paul’s storm, which, though it broke the ship—yet Paul was brought to shore upon the broken pieces. Acts 27:1-44.

(7) A pardoned soul is not only exempted from wrath—but invested with dignity; as Joseph was not only freed from prison—but advanced to be second man in the kingdom.

(8) A pardoned soul is made a favorite of heaven. A king may pardon a traitor—but will not make him one of his privy council; but those whom God pardons, he receives into favor. I may say to him as the angel to the virgin Mary, "You have found favor with God." Luke 1:30. Hence, such as are forgiven, are said to be crowned with loving-kindness. Psalms 103:3-4. Those whom God pardons—he crowns. Those whom God absolves—he marries to himself. "I am merciful, and I will not keep anger forever;" Jeremiah 3:12; there is forgiveness; and in the fourteenth verse, "I am married to you;" and he who is matched into the crown of heaven, is as rich as the angels, as rich as heaven can make him!

(9) Sin being pardoned, we may come with humble boldness to God in prayer. Guilt makes us afraid to go to God. Adam having sinned, "was afraid, and hid" himself. Genesis 3:10. Guilt clips the wings of prayer, it fills the face with blushing; but forgiveness breeds confidence. We may look upon God as a Father of mercy, holding forth a golden scepter. He who has his pardon, can look upon his prince with comfort.

(10) Forgiveness of sin makes our services acceptable. God takes all we do in good part. A guilty person does nothing that is pleasing to God. Even his prayers are "turned into sin." But when sin is pardoned, God accepts his offering. We read of Joshua standing before the angel of the Lord: "Joshua was clothed with filthy garments," that is, he was guilty of divers sins; now, says the Lord, "Take away the filthy garments, I have caused your iniquity to pass from you;" and then he stood and ministered before the Lord, and his services were accepted. Zechariah 3:3-4.

(11) Forgiveness of sin is the sauce which sweetens all the comforts of this life. As guilt embitters our comforts, and puts wormwood into our cup—so pardon sweetens all, and is like sugar to wine. Health and pardon, estate and pardon, relish well. Pardon of sin gives a sanctified title and a delicious taste to every comfort. As Naaman said to Gehazi, "Take two talents," so says God to the pardoned soul, "Take two talents; take the venison, and take a blessing with it; take the oil in the cruse, and take my love with it. Take two talents." 2 Kings 5:23. It is observable that Christ joins these two together, "Give us our daily bread, forgive us our trespasses," as if Christ would teach us there is little comfort in daily bread, unless sin be forgiven. Forgiveness of sin, perfumes and drops sweetness into every earthly enjoyment.

(12) If sin be forgiven, God will never upbraid us with former sins. When the prodigal came home to his father, the father received him into his loving embraces, and never mentioned his former ingratitude, or spending his estate among harlots. Just so, God will not upbraid us with former sins—nay, he will entirely love us; we shall be his jewels, and he will put us in his bosom. After Christ arose, he first appeared to Mary Magdalene, a pardoned penitent. Mark 16:9. So far was he from upbraiding her, that he brought her the first news of his resurrection.

(13) Pardoned sin is a pillar of support in the loss of friends. God has taken away your child, your husband; but he has also taken away your sins. He has given you more than he has taken away; he has taken away a flower, and given you a jewel. He has given you Christ and the Spirit, and the pledge of glory. He has given you more than he has taken away.

(14) Where God pardons sins, he bestows righteousness. With remission of sin, goes imputation of righteousness. "He has covered me with the robe of righteousness." Isaiah 61:10. If a Christian can take any comfort in his inherent righteousness, which is so stained and mixed with sin, oh, what comfort may he take in Christ’s righteousness, which is a better righteousness than that of Adam! Adam’s righteousness was mutable; but suppose it had been unchangeable, it was but the righteousness of a man; but that which is imputed is the righteousness of him who is God. "That we might be made the righteousness of God in him." 2 Corinthians 5:21. Oh, blessed privilege, to be reputed in the sight of God—as righteous as Christ, having his embroidered robe put upon the soul! This is the comfort of everyone who is pardoned, he has a perfect righteousness; and now God says of him, "You are all fair, my love; there is no spot in you!" Song of Solomon 4:7.

(15) A pardoned soul needs not fear death. He may look on death with joy—who can look on forgiveness with faith! To a pardoned soul, death has lost his sting. Death, to a pardoned sinner, is like arresting a man after the debt is paid; it may arrest—but Christ will show the debt-book crossed out in his blood! A pardoned soul may triumph over death, "O death! where is your sting? O grave! where is your victory?" He who is pardoned need not fear death—it is not to him a destruction—but a deliverance! Death is a day of jubilee or release—it releases him from all his sins. Death comes to a pardoned soul as the angel did to Peter—and beat off his chains, and carried him out of prison. Death smites his body—and the chains of sin fall off. Death gives a pardoned soul a rest, it frees from all his labors. Revelation 14:13. "Happy is the passage from toil to rest," Bernard. As death will wipe off our tears—so it will wipe off our sweat. It will do a pardoned Christian a good turn, therefore it is made a part of the inventory in 1 Corinthians 3:22; even death is yours.

Death is like the wagon which was sent for old Jacob, that came rattling with its wheels—but it was to carry Jacob to his son Joseph. Just so, the wheels of death’s chariot may rattle and make a noise—but they are to carry a believer to Christ. While a believer is here, he is absent from the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:6. He lives far from court, and cannot see him whom his soul loves; but death gives him a sight of the King of Glory, in whose presence is fullness of joy! To a pardoned soul, death is a passage to the heavenly kingdom; it brings him to the place of bliss, where he shall hear the triumphs and anthems of praise sung in the choir of angels. No cause has a pardoned soul to fear death; what needs he fear to have his body buried in the earth—who has his sins buried in Christ’s wounds? What hurt can death do to him? It is but his ferryman to ferry him over to the land of promise! The day of death to a pardoned soul is his ascension-day to heaven, his coronation-day, when he shall be crowned with those delights of paradise which are unspeakable and full of glory! These are the rich consolations which belong to a pardoned sinner. Well might David proclaim him blessed. "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven;" in the Hebrew it is in the plural, blessednesses. Psalms 32:1. Here is a plurality of blessings. Forgiveness of sin is like the first link of a chain which draws all the links after it; it draws these fifteen privileges after it; it crowns with grace and glory. Who then would not labor to have his sins forgiven? "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered."

Use 5. Now follow the DUTIES of those who have their sins forgiven.

(1) Be much in praise and doxology for God’s pardoning love. "Bless the Lord, O my soul, who forgives all your iniquities." Has God crowned you with pardoning mercy? Set the crown of your praise upon the head of free grace! Pardon of sin is a sovereign mercy, a jewel hung only upon the elect, which calls for acclamations of praise. You give thanks for "daily bread," and will you not much more for pardon? You give thanks for deliverance from sickness—and will you not for deliverance from hell? God has done more for you in forgiving your sin—than if he had given you a kingdom! That you may be more thankful, do but set the unpardoned condition before your eyes. How sad is it to lack a pardon! All the curses of the law stand in full force against such a one. When the unpardoned sinner dies—he drops into the grave and hell at the same time! He must life among the damned! Will it not make you thankful that this is not your condition—but that you are "delivered from the wrath to come"?

(2) Let God’s pardoning love to you, inflame your hearts with love to God. For God to pardon freely without any desert of yours; to pardon so many offences; to pardon you and pass by others; to take you out of the ruins of mankind, of a clod of dust and sin, and make you a jewel sparkling with heavenly glory—will not this make you love God much? If of three prisoners that deserve to die, the king pardons one, and leaves the other two to the severity of the law, will not he who is pardoned love the prince who has been so full of mercy to him? How should your hearts be endeared in love to God! The schoolmen distinguish a twofold love, amor gratuitus, a love of bounty—that is, God’s love to us in forgiving; and amor debitus, a love of duty—that is, our love to God by way of return. We should show our love by admiring God, by sweetly solacing ourselves in him, and binding ourselves to him in a perpetual covenant.

(3) Let the sense of God’s love in forgiving you, make you more cautious and fearful of sin for the future. "There is forgiveness with you—that you may be feared." Psalms 130:4. Oh, fear to offend the God who has been so forgiving to you. If a friend has done us a kindness, we shall not trouble him or abuse his love. After Nathan had told David, "The Lord has put away your sin," how tender was his conscience! When men commit gross sins after pardon, God changes his demeanor towards them, he turns his smile into a frown; they lie, as Jonah, in the "belly of hell;" God’s wrath falls into their conscience as a drop of scalding lead into the eye; the promises are as a fountain sealed, not a drop of comfort comes from them. O Christians, do you not remember what it cost before you got your pardon? how long it was before your "broken bones" were set? And will you again venture to sin? You may be in such a condition that you may question whether you belong to God or not. Though God does not damn you—he may give you a taste of hell in this life.

(4) If God has given you good hope that you are pardoned, walk cheerfully. "We rejoice in God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement." Romans 5:11. Who should rejoice, if not he who has his pardon? God rejoices when he shows us mercy; and should not we rejoice when we receive mercy? In the saddest times, a pardoned soul may rejoice. Afflictions have a commission to do him good; every cross wind of providence shall blow him nearer to the haven of glory. Christian, God has pulled off your prison-fetters, and clothed you with the robe of righteousness, and crowned you with loving-kindness, and yet are you sad? "We rejoice in hope of the glory of God." Romans 5:2. Can the wicked rejoice, who have only a short reprieve from hell, and not those who have a full pardon sealed?

(5) Has God pardoned you? Do all the service you can for God. "Always abounding in the work of the Lord." 1 Corinthians 15:58. Let your head study for God; let your hands work for him; let your tongue be the organ of his praise. When Paul got his pardon, and could say, "I obtained mercy," it was as oil to the wheels, it made him move faster in obedience. 1 Timothy 1:16. "I labored more abundantly than they all." 1 Corinthians 15:10. The pardoned soul thinks he can never love God enough—or serve him enough.

Use 6. Some RULES or directions, how we may obtain forgiveness of sin.

(1) We must take heed of mistakes about pardon of sin; as the mistake that our sins are pardoned when they are not.

Whence is this mistake? From two grounds.

[1] Many think that their sins are pardoned—merely because God is merciful. God’s being merciful shows that man’s sins are pardonable. But there is a great deal of difference between sins pardonable and sins pardoned. Your sins may be pardonable—yet not pardoned. Though God be merciful—yet whom is God’s mercy for? Not for the presuming sinner—but the repenting sinner. Such as go on in sin, cannot lay claim to it. God’s mercy is like the ark, which none but the priests might touch; none but such as are spiritual priests, sacrificing their sins, may touch the ark of God’s mercy.

[2] Many think that their sins are pardoned—merely because Christ died for sins. That Christ died for remission of sin is true; but that all have remission is false, for then Judas would be forgiven. Remission of sin, is limited to believers. "By him all who believe are justified;" but all do not believe; some slight and trample Christ’s blood under foot. Acts 13:39; Hebrews 10:29. Notwithstanding Christ’s death, all are not pardoned. Take heed of this dangerous mistake. Who will seek after pardon—that thinks he has it already?

Another mistake is, that pardon is easy to be had; it is but a sigh, or, "Lord, have mercy." But how dearly has pardon cost those who have obtained it? How long was it before David’s broken bones were set! Happy are we if we have the pardon of sin sealed, though at the very last hour; but why do men think pardon of sin so easy to be obtained? They assume that their sins are but small, therefore venial. The devil holds the small end of the telescope before their eyes. But there is no small sin against Deity. Why is he punished with death, who clips the king’s coin or defaces his statue—but because it is an abuse offered to the person of the king?

Little sins, when multiplied, become great, as a little sum when multiplied, comes to millions. What is less than a grain of sand—but when the sand is multiplied, what heavier? Your sins cost no small price. View them in the glass of Christ’s sufferings, who veiled his glory, lost his joy, and poured out his soul as an offering for the least sin. Little sins, unrepented of, will damn you, as well as greater. Not only great rivers fall into the sea—but little brooks; not only greater sins carry men to hell—but lesser sins; therefore do not think pardon easy, because sin is small. Beware of mistakes.

(2) The second means for pardon of sin is to see yourselves guilty. Come to God as condemned men. "They put ropes on their heads and came to the king of Israel." 1 Kings 20:32. Let us come to God in profound humility. Do not say, "Lord, my heart is good, and my life blameless." God hates this. Lie in the dust, be covered with sackcloth, and say as the centurion, "Lord, I am not worthy that you should come under my roof! I deserve not the least smile from heaven!" Matthew 8:8. This is the way for pardon.

(3) The third means for pardon is, hearty confession of sin. "I said, I will confess my transgressions, and you forgave the iniquity of my sin." Psalms 32:5. Would we have God cover our sins? We must uncover them. "He who covers his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy." Proverbs 28:13. "If we confess our sins, he is just to forgive us our sins." 1 John 1:9. One would have thought it should have run thus, "If we confess our sins, he is merciful to forgive them." Nay—but he is just to forgive them. Why just? Because he has bound himself by a promise to forgive humble confessors of sin. When we accuse ourselves, God absolves us. We are apt to hide our sins, which is as great a folly as for one to hide his disease from the physician; but when we open our sins to God by confessing, he opens his mercy to us by forgiving.

(4) Another means for pardon is sound repentance. Repentance and remission of sin are put together. Luke 24:47. There is a promise of a fountain opened for washing away the guilt of sin. Zechariah 13:1. But see what goes before: "They shall look upon me whom they have pierced—and they shall mourn for him." Zechariah 12:10. "Wash, make you clean;" that is, wash in the waters of repentance; and then follows a promise of forgiveness, "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow." Isaiah 1:16; Isaiah 1:18. It is easy to turn white into scarlet—but not so easy to turn scarlet into white; yet, upon repentance, God has promised to make the scarlet sinner of a milk-like whiteness!

Think not, however, that repentance merits pardon—but it prepares for it. We set our seal on the wax when it melts. Just so, God seals his pardons on melting hearts.

(5) The next means for pardon is faith in the blood of Christ. It is Christ’s blood alone, which washes away sin. Revelation 1:5. But this blood will not wash away sin, unless it be applied by faith. The apostle speaks of the sprinkling of the blood of Christ. 1 Peter 1:2. Many are not pardoned, though Christ’s blood be shed, because it is not sprinkled; now it is faith which sprinkles Christ’s blood on the soul, for the remission of sin. As Thomas put his hands into Christ’s sides—so faith puts its hands into Christ’s wounds, and takes of the blood and sprinkles it upon the conscience, for the washing away of guilt. John 20:27. Hence in Scripture, we are said to obtain pardon through faith. "By him all who believe are justified." Acts 13:39. "Your sins are forgiven." Luke 7:48. Whence was this? "Your faith has saved you." 7:50. O let us labor for faith. Christ is an atonement to take away sin; but how? "Through faith in his blood." Romans 3:25.

(6) The last means is to pray much for pardon. "Take away all iniquity." Hosea 14:2. "The publican smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner." Luke 18:13. And the text says that he went away justified. Many pray for health, riches, children; but Christ has taught us to pray, "Forgive us our sins." Be earnest suitors for pardon; consider what guilt of sin is; it binds one over to the wrath of God. Better your house were haunted with devils—than your soul with guilt! He who is in the bond of iniquity, must needs be in the gall of bitterness. Acts 8:23. A guilty soul wears Cain’s mark, which was a trembling at the heart, and a shaking in his flesh. Guilt makes the sinner afraid—lest every trouble he meets with should arrest him and bring him to judgment! If guilt is so dismal, and breeds such convulsion fits in the conscience, how earnest should we be in prayer, that God would remove it, and so earnest as to resolve to take no denial! Plead hard with God for pardon, as a man would plead with a judge for his life. Fall upon your knees, say, "Lord, hear one word!" God may say, "What can you say for yourself, that you should not die?" "Lord, I can say but little—but I put in my Surety, Christ shall answer for me; O look upon that blood which speaks better things than that of Abel; Christ is my priest, his blood is my sacrifice, his divine nature is my altar!" As Rahab was to show the scarlet thread in the window, that when Joshua saw it he might not destroy her—so show the Lord the scarlet thread of Christ’s blood—for that is the way to have mercy. Joshua 2:18; Joshua 2:21; Joshua 6:22-23. God may say, "Why should I pardon you? You have never served me." "But, Lord, pardon me, because you have promised it; I urge your covenant!" When a man is about to die by the law, he calls for his book. Just so, say, "Lord, let me have the benefit of my book, your Word says, ’Let the wicked forsake his way and our God will abundantly pardon.’ Isaiah 55:7. Lord, I have forsaken my sins, let me therefore have mercy; I plead the benefit of the book!" "But, for whose sake should I pardon? You can not deserve it." "Lord, for your own name’s sake; you have said, you will blot out sin, for your own name’s sake. Isaiah 43:25. It will not eclipse your crown; your mercy will shine forth, and all your other attributes ride in triumph, if you shall pardon me!"

Thus plead with God in prayer, and resolve not to give over until your pardon is sealed. God cannot deny importunity; he delights in mercy. As the mother, says Chrysostom, delights to have her breasts milked—so God delights to milk out the breast of mercy to the sinner. These means being used will procure this great blessedness, the forgiveness of sin.

IV. The last part of this petition is the CONDITION. "As we forgive those who trespass against us." This word, AS, is not a note of equality—but similitude; not that we equal God in forgiving—but must imitate him in forgiving. The great duty of forgiving others, is contrary to flesh and blood. Men forget kindnesses—but remember injuries. But it is an indispensable duty to forgive; we are not bound to trust an enemy; but we are bound to forgive him. We are naturally prone to revenge. "Revenge," says Homer, "is sweet as dropping honey." The heathen philosophers held revenge to be lawful. But we learn better things from the oracles of Scripture. "When you stand praying, forgive." Mark 11:25. "Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." Colossians 3:13.

How can we forgive others, when God only can forgive sin? In every breach of the second table, there are two things: an offence against God, and a trespass against man. So far as it is an offence against God, he only can forgive; but so far as it is a trespass against man, we may forgive. When do we forgive others? When we strive against all thoughts of revenge; when we will not do our enemies harm—but wish well to them, grieve at their calamities, pray for them, seek reconciliation with them, and show ourselves ready on all occasions to relieve them. This is gospel-forgiving. But I have been much injured and abused, and to put up with it will be a stain to my reputation.

(1) To pass by an injury without revenge, is not eclipsing our honor. The Scripture says of a man, "It is his glory to pass over a transgression." Proverbs 19:11. It is more honor to bury an injury, than to revenge it. Anger and revenge denote weakness; a noble heroic spirit overlooks a petty offence.

(2) Suppose a man’s credit should be impaired with those whose censure is not to be regarded; consider the folly of challenging another to a duel. It is little wisdom for a man to redeem his credit by losing his life, and to run to hell to be counted valorous. But the wrong he has done me is great. But your not forgiving him is a greater wrong. In injuring you he has offended against man—but in not forgiving him you offend against God. But if I forgive vile injury, I shall occasion more.

If the more injuries you forgive, the more you meet with--it will only increase your grace the more. Often forgiving will add more to the weight of your glory. If any say, "I strive to excel in other graces—but as for this forgiving, I cannot do it." The graces are inter-linked and chained together; when there is one, there is all. He who cannot forgive, his grace is counterfeit, his faith is false, his devotion is hypocrisy. But suppose another has wronged me in my estate, may I not go to law for my debt?

Yes, else of what use were law courts? God has set judges to decide cases in law, and to give everyone his right. It is with going to law, as it is with going to war; when the just rights of a nation are invaded, it is lawful to go to war. Just so, when a man’s estate is trespassed upon by another, he may go to law to recover it. But the law must be used in the last place; when no entreaties or arbitrations will prevail, then the courts must decide it. Yet this is no revenge, it is not so much to injure another, as to right one’s self; which may be, and yet we may live in charity.

Use 1. Here is a bill of indictment against such as study revenge, and cannot put up with the least discourtesy. They would have God forgive them—but they will not forgive others. They will pray, come to church, give alms—but, as Christ said, "One thing you lack." Mark 10:21. They lack a forgiving spirit, they will rather lack forgiveness from God--than they will forgive their brother. How sad is it, that, for every slight wrong, or disgraceful word--men should let malice boil in their hearts! would there be so many duels, arrests, and murders--if men had the art of forgiving?

Revenge is the proper sin of the devil; he is no drunkard or adulterer—but this old serpent is full of the poison of malice. What shall we say to those who make a profession of religion—but instead of forgiving, pursue others malevolently? It was prophesied, the "wolf shall dwell with the lamb." Isaiah 11:6. But what shall we say, when such as profess to be lambs--become wolves! They open the mouths of the profane against religion who will say these are as full of bitterness as any. O where has love and mercy fled? If the son of man comes--will he find charity on the earth? I fear but little. How can those who nourish anger and malice in their hearts, and will not forgive, pray, "Forgive us, as we forgive others"? Either they must omit this petition, as Chrysostom says some did in his time, or they pray against themselves!