1. The Coherence
1. Quest. Whether is a man bound to forgive all debts? Ans. The word debt, in this place is not understood of debt that is civil, and comes by lawful bargaining, but of hurts and damages which are done to us in our bodies, goods, or good name. As for the former civil debts, a man may exact them, so he do it with showing of mercy.
2. Quest. How may any man forgive trespasses, seeing God only forgives sin? Ans. In every trespass which any do to their neighbors, there be two offenses, one to God, another to man. In the first respect, as it is against God and his commandment, it is called a sin; and that God only forgives: in the other respect it is called an injury or damage, and so man may forgive it. When a man is robbed, the law is broken by stealing, and the injury that is done is against a man that has his goods stolen. This injury, as it is an injury a man may forgive; but as it is a sin, he can not, but God only.
3. Quest. Whether may a man lawfully pray this petition, and yet sue him at the law, who has done him wrong? Ans. A man may in a holy manner sue another for an injury: and as a soldier in lawful war may kill his enemy, and yet love him: so may a man forgive an injury, and yet seek in a Christian manner the remedy: but in doing of this we must observe five things. 1. We are to take heed of all private revenge, and inward hatred; which if we conceive, we do not forgive. 2. We must take heed of offense, and have care that our doings be not scandalous to the church. 3. Our suits must be taken in hand to maintain godly peace: for if all injuries were put up, there would be no civil state or government. 4. This must be, that the party offending may be chastised, and he brought to repentance for his fault: for if many men were not repressed, they would grow worse. 5. Law must be the last remedy. As physicians use desperate remedies, when weaker will not serve: even so must we use law, as the last means when all other [reconstructed: fail]. The dealing of the world in this case is no example for us to follow. For through rage and stomach men will abide no private agreement, and therefore they use the law in the first place, as the Corinthians did: but what says Paul (1 Corinthians 6:7), it is utterly a fault among you. But if the law be used aright, a Christian man may sue his neighbor at law, and love the party sued: for there is difference between dealing against a man before a magistrate, and the dealing of one private man with another. For private dealing is commonly revenge, and therefore unlawful.
