Matthew 18:23

Our blessed Saviour, to enforce the foregoing doctrine of mutual forgiveness, propounds. parable; the main scope of which is to shew, that unless we do actually forgive and pass by injuries done to us, we cut ourselves off from all interest in God's pardoning mercy, and must expect no forgiveness at the hands of God.

From the whole, Note, 1. That as we all stand in need of forgiveness from God, so likewise of forgiveness from one another.

2. That we all stand bound by the laws of our holy religion, to forbear and forgive one another.

3. That Almighty God has made the forgiving one another, the certain and necessary condition of his forgiving us.

4. That such as are inexorable towards their brethren, shall find God Almighty hard to be intreated towards themselves. We may expect the same rigour and severity from God, which we shew to men.

5. That the freeness of God's love in forgiving us, ought to be both an argument to excite us to forgive one another, and also. rule to direct us in the manner of forgiving each other.

Doth God forgive us when he has power in his hand to punish us? So must we when we have ability and opportunity for revenge. Doth God forgive universally all persons? So must we all provocations. Doth he forgive us freely and willingly, heartily and sincerely? So must we; we must be as forward in forgiving, as they in provoking.

Learn from the whole, The equity of unlimited forgiveness of our brother, because our God and Saviour forgives us more numerous and heinous sins than our brother is capable of committing against us. Let all unmerciful and unchristian creditors remember this text, who cast poor men into prison for debt, who have nothing to pay; surely he who bids us lend, looking for nothing again, will not allow us to imprison where nothing can be hoped for.

It is to be feared, such will find but little mercy hereafter, who have shewed no mercy here; for it at the great day such shall be condemned as did not visit Christians in prison, what will their condemnation be, who cast them into prison?