Question 112

Is it a great debt?

Yes. It is ten thousand talents,^b

Is it an increasing debt?

Yes. For we add sin to sin,^c

Does God keep an exact account of this debt?

Yes. For our transgression is sealed up in a bag, and he seweth up our iniquity,^d

And will he require it?

Yes. Whosoever will not harken, I will require it of him,^e

But can we really pay it?

No. They had nothing to pay,^g

Have we any friend upon earth that can pay it for us?

No. Call now if there be any that will answer thee; and to which of the saints wilt thou turn?^h

But is there such a friend in heaven?

Yes. Jesus Christ, who is the propitiation for our sins,ⁱ

Doth he forgive them freely?

Yes. The remission of sins is according to the riches of his grace,^k

And fully?

Yes. Having forgiven all our trespasses,^l

And finally?

Yes. I will remember their sin no more,^m

Should we pray that God would remit the present punishment of sin?

Yes. Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people, as thou hast forgiven them from Egypt even until now,^o

And that he would deliver us from his everlasting wrath due to sin?

Yes. I will say unto God, do not condemn me,^p

And that he would restore to us divine comfort, forfeited by sin?

Yes. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and uphold me by thy free Spirit,^q

And sincerely?

Yes. Give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips,^s

And importunately?

Yes. O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive^t

And argumentatively?

Yes. Why dost thou not pardon my transgression, and take away mine iniquity?^u

May we here plead the goodness of God’s nature?

Yes. For thou, Lord, art good and ready to forgive,^v

And the greatness of our transgressions?

Yes. Pardon mine iniquity, for it is great,^w

And the glory of his name?

Yes. Purge away our sins, for thy name’s sake,^x

But above all, should we plead the merit and atonement of Christ?

Yes. Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed,^y

Must we do this freely?

Yes. Thou shouldst have had compassion, even as I had pity on thee,^aa

And heartily?

Yes. ’We must from the heart forgive every one his brother’s trespasses,^bb

And fully?

Yes. Ye have not injured me at all,^cc

And immediately?

Yes. Go, and be reconciled to thy brother,^dd

And repeatedly?

Yes. Not only till seven times, but till seventy times seven,^ee

And must we not only forgive, but forget?

Yes. Grudge not one against another,^ff

And honourable?

Yes. And it is his glory to pass over a transgression,^hh

And profitable?

Yes. For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you,ⁱⁱ

And cannot we hope for forgiveness without it?

No. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours,^jj