A practical exposition of the Lord's-Prayer

4. It is put here, to show that it is a Duty incumbent upon them that are pardoned. God hath laid this Necessity upon Men. And that may be one reason why this Clause is inserted, that every time we come to pray, and beg Pardon, we may bind our selves to this Practice, and warn our selves more solemnly of our Duty, and undertake it in the sight of God. So that when we say, Forgive us our Debts, as we forgive our Debtors, it is a certain Undertaking, or solemn Promise we make to God, if he will show mercy to us, this will incline us to show mercy to others. In earnest Requests, we are wont to bind our selves to necessary Duties.

4. It is put here, to shew that it is a Duty incumbent upon them that are pardoned. God hath laid this Necessity upon Men. And that may be one reason why this Clause is inserted, that every time we come to pray, and beg Pardon, we may bind our selves to this Practice, and warn our selves more solemnly of our Duty, and undertake it in the sight of God. So that when we say, Forgive us our Debts, as we forgive our Debtors, it is a certain Undertaking, or solemn Promise we make to God, if he will shew mercy to us, this will incline us to shew mercy to others. In earnest Requests, we are wont to bind our selves to necessary Duties.

5. It is an Argument breeding Confidence in God's pardoning Mercy. When we that have so much of the old Leaven, that sour revengeful Nature in us, yet when we have received but a Spark of Grace, it makes us ready to forgive others; then what may we imagine in God! What is our Drop, to that infinite Sea of Fullness that is in him! Clearly thus it is urged in that Clause, Luke 11. 4. And forgive us our Sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. There is a special Emphasis upon that [For we also]; that is, we that have so little Grace, we that are so revengeful and passionate by Nature, we also forgive those that are indebted to us. Therefore the gracious God, in all Goodness, and in all ⟨p. 377⟩moral Perfections, doth far exceed the Creature; and if this be in us, what is there in God? This kind of Reasoning is often used in Scripture; as,