Stoick to be useful; his whole reasoning upon it seems rather to prove (what no man upon earth can be brought to believe) that there can be no injuries, than to prefs the neceffity of forgiving them.

It is farther obfervable, that there was great indulgence given to revenge by the old law, as appears not only from the express permiffion of retaliation, but from the vehement imprecations against enemies, that are us❜d by the best men.

There hath been much needlefs pains spent to justify the conduct of David and others in this point, but the only excuse that needs to be made for them is, that they were not yet acquainted with this perfect rule, and that a fuffering Redeemer was only qualify'd to teach men the forgiveness of their enemies; the examples of these great and good men fhew how much the Gospel did fulfil both the law and the prophets, fince they, as perfect as they then appear'd to be, fell fhort of the common character of our Saviour's Disciples, and the least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than they.

To conclude; the forgiveness of each other is not fo much a diftinct precept of the Gof pel, as one univerfal condition that runs thro' the whole frame of it; it is indeed peculiar

4

to this institution, because that only could give a just reason for its practice; nor could it have us❜d an argument more obvious to all capacities, and more affecting to all difpofitions, than to let them know that they must only expect mercy by fhewing it, and muft forgive if they will be forgiven.

As then forgiveness of Trefpaffes is the most important wish that mortals can offer up, or a merciful God grant; fo fhould it be sent up with that forgiving difpofition, that it both calls for and deferves. The condition with which we here pray (and without that condition we are not to pray) fhould remind us of that neceffary debt of reconciliation, that is always owing, but at that time morę efpecially to be perform'd to all mankind. We here profefs thofe terms upon which we are content to be judg'd at the last day, and therefore, as oft as we come before God with hatred and revenge, we so often condemn our felves out of our own mouth.

How justly may God anfwer him, who with a revengeful heart prays to him for the pardon of his fins ? Canft thou prefumptu"oufly ask of me that mercy that thou thy "felf never practis'd, for my fake, to thy "offending neighbour? Doft thou expect to "be forgiven, by me, many talents, when

interest with thee could never procure my "the remiffion of a few pence? Shall he, "whom I have recommended to thy chari"6 ty, be by thy unforgiving temper in bonds "and affliction, and fhalt thou in the mean "time come in peace and confidence into

my presence? Can thy petitions have a "favourable acceptance at my tribunal, "when they are deafen'd by the loud and just complaints of thy opprefs'd neigh

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bour? My fentence therefore fhall be govern'd by thy own behaviour; and expect it from me, in mercy, or vengeance, "as thou haft practis'd either of these to"wards him ".

These certainly will, and most justly may, be the answers of God to a revengeful unforgiving petitioner. All acts of uncharitable violence are so many appeals against mercy; they add to the number of his fins, and stop the acceptance of thofe Prayers that fhould beg for their pardon. The relation that our enemy bears to our Saviour and our felves, fhould over-bear all temptations to paffion and bitterness; and as we would hope that his interceffion at God's right hand

e Vide Greg. Nyffen. de Orat. Dom.

should

fhould be effectual for us, fo fhould we be willing, that this fame interceffor should have influence over us for our brethren.

To conclude: Let us think, that as there can be no one want more preffing than that of reconciliation with our heavenly Father, fo there cannot be a more reasonable condition of its fupply than our own reconciliation with each other: let us remember, that as this is the tenor of the Chriftian Covenant, fo is it withal what we daily profefs, in defiring God to forgive us our Trefpaffes, as we forgive them that trespass against us.

SERMON

SERMON VII.

187

MATT. VI. 13.

Lead us not into Temptation.

UR Saviour directed his Difciples, in O the foregoing Petition, to avoid the guilt and punishment of their past

fins, and in this teacheth them to prevent their danger for the future; in the former they ask forgivenefs from God's mercy; in the latter protection from his providence, and affifting grace from his Spirit.

It is obfervable, that the prevention of Temptations naturally follows the request for forgiveness of Trefpaffes, and very much ftrengthens the fuccefs of it; for what can be a more favourable plea for pardon than the

defires