A practical exposition on the 130th Psalm

5. This Forgiveness of others, is made an express Condition of our obtaining Pardon and Forgiveness from God. Mat 6. 14, 15. And the nature hereof is expressly declared, Chap. 18. 24. Such Evangelical Conditions we have not many. I confess, they have no causal influence into the accomplishment of the Promise; but the non-performance of them, is a sufficient bar against our pretending to the Promise, a sufficient evidence that we have no pleadable interest in it. Our forgiving of others will not procure forgiveness for our selves: But our not forgiving of others proves, that we our selves are not forgiven. And all these things do show what weight God himself lays on this duty.

5. This Forgiveness of others, is made an express Condition of our obtaining Pardon and Forgiveness from God. Mat 6. 14, 15. And the nature hereof is expresly declared, Chap. 18. 24. Such Evangelical Conditions we have not many. I confess, they have no causal influence into the accomplishment of the Promise; but the non-performance of them, is a sufficient barr against our pretending to the Promise, a sufficient evidence that we have no pleadable interest in it. Our forgiving of others will not procure forgiveness for our selves: But our not forgiving of others proves, that we our selves are not forgiven. And all these things do shew what weight God himself layes on this duty.

Secondly, Observe, that this Duty is such, as that there is nothing more comely, useful, or honourable unto, or praise worthy in any, than a due performance of it. To be morose, implacable, ⟨p. 220⟩inexorable, revengeful, is one of the greatest degeneracies of humane nature. And no men are commonly, even in this world, more branded with real infamy and dishonour amongst Wise and Good men, than those who are of such a frame, and do act accordingly. To remember Injuries, to retain a sense of Wrongs, to watch for Opportunities of Revenge, to hate and be maliciously perverse, is to represent the Image of the Devil unto the world in its proper colours; He is the great Enemy and self avenger: On the other side, no Grace, no Virtue, no Duty, no Ornament of the mind, or Conversation of man, is in it self so lovely, so comely, so praise worthy, or so useful unto mankind, as are Meekness, Readiness to forgive and pardon. This is that principally which renders a man a good man, for whom one would even dare to dye: And I am sorry to add that this Grace or duty is recommended by its rarity. It is little found amongst the Children of men. The consideration of the defect of men herein, as in those other fundamental duties of the Gospel, in self-denial, readiness for the Cross, and forsaking the world, is an Evidence, if not how little sincerity there is in the World; Yet at least it is, of how little growing, and thriving there is amongst Professors.