In the exposition of this petition the faithful are to be emphatically exhorted, when they have honestly used their best consideration and industry to procure the means of subsistence, to confide the issue to God, and to submit their own wishes to the will of him, " who shall not suffer the just to waver for ever." [1] God will either give what they ask, or he will not: if he does, their wishes are realized; if not, it is an unequivocal proof that what they desire would tend to promote neither their interests nor their salvation; whereas, it is denied to the pious, of whose salvation God is more careful than even they themselves.
Finally, in the exposition of this petition, the pastor will exhort the rich to recollect, that they are to look upon their wealth as the gift of God, bestowed on them in order that they may divide it with the necessitous; and with this truth the words of the Apostle, in his Epistle to Timothy, will be found to accord, and will supply the pastor with abundant matter to elucidate this subject in a manner conducive to the eternal interests of his people. [2]
"AND FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS, AS WE ALSO FORGIVE OUR DEBTORS."
"FORGIVE us OUR DEBTS"] Many things display the infinite power of God, his wisdom and goodness. Cast our eyes, turn our thoughts, where we may, we are struck with unequivocal manifestations of his omnipotence and goodness; but if there be any one thing which, more than another, eloquently proclaims his boundless love for man, that most assuredly is the ineffable mystery of the passion of Jesus Christ, that perennial fountain which washes away the defilements of sin, and in which, under the guidance and goodness of God, we desire to be merged and purified, when we address him in these words: " Forgive us our debts."
This petition comprises a summary, as it were, of those benefits which have been accumulated on the human race through the merits of Jesus Christ, as was foretold by Isaias: " The iniquity of the house of David shall be forgiven, and this is all the fruit, that the sin thereof should be taken away." [3] This is also the language of David, proclaiming those blessed who have the happiness to partake of that fruit: " Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven." [4] The pastor, therefore, will examine and explain, with minute attention, a petition so important to salvation.
In it we enter on a new form of prayer: in the preceding peti-
