The word translated forgive, implies either to forgive a debt, or to unloose a chain. And if we attain the former, the latter follows of course; if our debts are forgiven, the chains fall off our hands. As soon as ever, through the free grace of God in Christ, we receive forgiveness of sins, we receive likewise a lot among those which are sanctified, by faith which is in him. Sin has lost its power: it has no dominion over those, who are under grace, that is, in favour with God. As there is now no condemnation for them that are in Christ Jesus, so they are freed from sin as well as from guilt. The righteousness of the law is fulfilled in them, and they walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit.
14. As we forgive them that trespass against us. In these words our Lord clearly declares, both on what condition, and in what degree or mannerwe may look to be forgiven of God. All our trespasses and sins are forgiven us, if we forgive and as we forgive others. This is a point of the utmost importance. And our blessed Lord is so jealous, lest at any time we should let it slip out of our thoughts, that he not only inserts it in the body of his prayer, but presently after repeats it twice over. If, saith he, ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Secondly, God forgives us, as we forgive others. *So that if any malice or bitterness, if any taint of unkindness or anger remains, if we do not clearly, fully, and from the heart, forgive all men their trespasses, we so far cut short the forgiveness of our own. God cannot clearly and fully forgive us. He may shew us some degree of mercy. But we will not suffer him to blot out all our sins, and forgive all our iniquities.
In the mean time, while we do not from our hearts, forgive our neighbour his trespasses, what manner of prayer are we offering to God, whenever we utter these words? We are indeed setting God at open defiance: we are daring him to do his worst. Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us! That is in plain terms, “Do not thou forgive us at all: we desire no favour at thy hands. We pray, that thou wilt keep our sins in remembrance, and that thy wrath may abide upon us.” But canyou seriously offer such a prayer to God? And hath he not yet cast you quick into hell? O tempt him no longer! Now, even now, by his grace, forgive as you would be forgiven! Now have compassion on thy fellow-servant, as God hath had and will have pity on thee.
15. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Lead us not into temptation. The word translated temptation, means trial of any kind. And so the English word temptation was formerly taken, in an indifferent sense: although now it is usually understood, of solicitation to sin. St. James uses the word in both these senses; first, in its general, then in its restrained acceptation. He takes it in the former sense when he saith, [98]Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he is tried, or approved of God, he shall receive the crown of life. He immediately adds, taking the word in the latter sense, Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man. But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, or desire, ἐξελκόμενος, drawn out of God, in whom alone he is safe, and enticed, caught as a fish with a bait. Then it is, when he is thus drawn away and enticed, that he properly enters into temptation. The temptation covers him as a cloud: it overspreads his whole soul. Then how hardly shall he escape out of the snare? Therefore we beseech God, not to lead us intotemptation, that is (seeing God tempteth no man) not to suffer us to be led into it. But deliver us from evil: rather, from the evil one; ἀπὸ τοῦ πονηροῦ. Ὁ Πονηρός is unquestionably the wicked one, emphatically so called, the prince and god of this world, who works with mighty power in the children of disobedience. But all those who are the children of God by faith, are delivered out of his hands. He may fight against them: and so he will. But he cannot conquer, unless they betray their own souls. He may torment for a time; but he cannot destroy; for God is on their side, who will not fail in the end, to avenge his own elect, that cry unto him, day and night, “Lord, when we are tempted, suffer us not to enter into temptation. Do thou make a way for us to escape, that the wicked one touch us not.”
16. The conclusion of this divine prayer, commonly called the doxology, is a solemn thanksgiving, a compendious acknowledgement of the attributes and works of God. For thine is the kingdom; the sovereign right of all things that are, or ever were created: yea, thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all ages. The power: The executive power, whereby thou governest all things in thy everlasting kingdom, whereby thou dost whatsoever pleaseth thee, in all places of thy dominion.—And the glory; the praise due from every creature, for thy power and the mightinessof thy kingdom, and for all thy wondrous works, which thou workest from everlasting, and shalt do, world without end, for ever and ever! Amen. So be it!
I believe it will not be unacceptable to the serious reader, to subjoin
A Paraphrase on the Lord’s Prayer.
FATHER of all, whose powerful voice,
Call’d forth this universal frame,
Whose mercies over all rejoice,