As We Forgive Our Debts

1. Coherence.

These words be a part of the fifth petition, for it is put down with a condition. Forgive us, as we forgive others: and these words depend on the former, as the reason thereof, and it is taken from the comparison of the less to the greater: thus, if we, who have but a spark of mercy, do forgive others: then do you, who are the fountain of mercy, forgive us: but we forgive others, therefore, do you forgive us. Thus Luke 11:4 has it, Forgive us our sins: for even we forgive. The Papists gather a contrary doctrine: they say, Forgive us as we forgive, making our forgiving a cause, for which God is moved to forgive us. But we are to know, that our forgiving is no cause, but a sign that God will forgive us.

2 The meaning.

Question. Whether is a man bound to forgive all debts. Answer. 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 Question. How may any man forgive trespasses, seeing God only forgives sin? Answer. In every trespass which any do to their neighbors, there be two offences: one to God, another to man. In the first respect it is called a sin, which 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 cannot, but God only.

3 Quest. Whether may a man aright pray this petition, and yet sue him at the law, who has injured him. An. Yes, for 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 offence, 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. It must be, that the party offending may be chastised, and be 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 fail. The dealing of the world in this case, is no example for us to follow. For through rage and stomach they will abide no private agreement: and therefore, they use the law in the first place, so did the Corinthians, but what says Paul (1 Corinthians 6:7)? It is utterly a fault among. But if the law be used aright, a Christian may sue 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.

3. The use.

The use of this clause is very profitable, for it shows us a lively sign, whereby our consciences may be assured of the pardon of our sins. Indeed, many use these words long and often, yet find no assurance of pardon, and the cause is, because they have no desire of God's mercy, nor willingness to forgive men, which if they had, then the forgiveness of their sins should hereby be sealed to them. Therefore, if any would be persuaded of God's mercy in this point, let them descend into their own souls, and search them narrowly, if they can find their hearts as ready to forgive, as they are ready to desire forgiveness at God's hand, then they may assure themselves of God's mercy in Christ, as we are taught by our Savior Christ (Matthew 5:7). Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Consider these comparisons. A man walking under a wall in a cold sunny day, is heated of the wall, which first received heat from the Sun. So he that shows mercy to others, has first received mercy from God. Also; take a piece of wax, and put to a seal, it leaves an impression or mark like itself in the wax: which, when a man looks on, he does certainly know that there has been a seal, the print whereof is left behind. Even so it is in every one, that has readiness to forgive others: by it a Christian may easily know, that God has sealed to him the forgiveness of his sins, even in his heart. Therefore, let men look into their hearts, whether they have any affection to forgive others, for that is; as it were, the print in their hearts, of God's mercy toward them.

Many there are, which pray for pardon at God's hand, but they cannot brook it, that they should forgive their neighbors. Hereupon come these sayings, I may forgive him, but I will not forget him: He may come in my Paternoster, but he shall not come in my Creed. Behold, the devil's logic, which makes malice to be charity. Blind people play with the Lord's prayer, as the fly does with the candle till she be burnt: for the more they pray these words, the more they call for vengeance against themselves. James 2:13.