A practical exposition of the Lord's-Prayer

I answer; As long as we live in the World, there will be Flesh and Spirit, Corruption as well as Grace; there will be an intermixture of the Operations of each: Carnal Nature is prone to Revenge; but Grace prevaileth, and inclineth to a Pardon. Well then, if this be the prevalent Inclination of the Soul, and that which we strive by all good Means to cherish in us, this meek Disposition, passing by of Wrongs we receive by others, then we may take Comfort by this Evidence, tho there be some reluctancies and regrudgings of the old-Nature.

Use. 2. To press us to this ready Inclination to forgive Wrongs and Injuries. We are not so perfect, but we all need it from one another. There will be mutual Offences while we are in the World, especially in a time when Religious Differences are on Foot; therefore it concerns us to look after this Disposition of forgiving others, as we would be forgiven of God. Human Society cannot well be upheld without this mutual Forbearance and Forgiving. Now imitate your Heavenly Father. No Man can wrong us so much as we daily trespass against him, and yet God pardoneth us. He doth not only pardon the lesser Failings, some Venial Errors, and Sins of Incogitancy and sudden Surreption, which creep upon ⟨p. 385⟩us we know not how; but he pardons the greatest Sins, tho they be as Scarlet, Isa. 1. 18. Those that are of a Crimson hue, God can wash them out in the Blood of Christ. And mark, what is it then that you will stand upon? Is it the greatness of the Offence? God pardons great Sins. Or is it the baseness of those that injure you? (this is the Circumstance) When we have received wrong from those which are our Inferiors, that owe us more Reverence and Respect? What are we to God? Notwithstanding the baseness of those which affront him daily, all Men to him are but as the drop of the Bucket, and the small Dust of the Balance, Isa. 40. 15. yet God pardons them. And then again, cast in the consideration of God's Omnipotency: He is able to right himself of the wrongs done to him, and no Man can call him to an account: Many times it is not in our Power. He can cast Body and Soul into Hell,