C. Yes, He does forgive them, and blot them out for Christ’s sake.

F. Why, then, do we say that He visits them?

C. Because He often allows the effects of past sins to be still their punishment, even when He has forgiven them.

F. Why does He do so?

C. To shew us how He hates sin.

F. What should we learn from this?

C. To watch against every sin most carefully, because we never can know what may be its effects; to remember how God has punished it, often for years, in His true servants; to pray against sin; to think no sin little.

F. What should we do, if we find the consequences of past sin coming upon us?

C. Take our chastisement meekly; humble ourselves under God’s hand; pray for deliverance, as, “Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness’ sake, O Lord” (Ps. xxv. 7).

F. What should be the effect on us when God hears our prayer, and delivers us?