It was suitable that, after contemplating the liberality of God, [8808] we should likewise address His clemency. For what will aliments [8809] profit us, if we are really consigned to them, as it were a bull destined for a victim? [8810] The Lord knew Himself to be the only guiltless One, and so He teaches that we beg "to have our debts remitted us." A petition for pardon is a full confession; because he who begs for pardon fully admits his guilt. Thus, too, penitence is demonstrated acceptable to God who desires it rather than the death of the sinner. [8811] Moreover, debt is, in the Scriptures, a figure of guilt; because it is equally due to the sentence of judgment, and is exacted by it: nor does it evade the justice of exaction, unless the exaction be remitted, just as the lord remitted to that slave in the parable his debt; [8812] for hither does the scope of the whole parable tend. For the fact withal, that the same servant, after liberated by his lord, does not equally spare his own debtor; and, being on that account impeached before his lord, is made over to the tormentor to pay the uttermost farthing -- that is, every guilt, however small: corresponds with our profession that "we also remit to our debtors;" indeed elsewhere, too, in conformity with this Form of Prayer, He saith, "Remit, and it shall be remitted you." [8813] And when Peter had put the question whether remission were to be granted to a brother seven times, "Nay," saith He, "seventy-seven times;" [8814] in order to remould the Law for the better; because in Genesis vengeance was assigned "seven times" in the case of Cain, but in that of Lamech "seventy-seven times." [8815]

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Footnotes:

[8808] In the former petition, "Give us this day our daily bread."

[8809] Such as "daily bread."

[8810] That is, if we are just to be fed and fattened by them in body, as a bull which is destined for sacrifice is, and then, like him, slain--handed over to death?

[8811] Exodus 18:23, 32; xxxiii. 11.

[8812] Matthew 18:21-35.

[8813] Luke 6:37.

[8814] Matthew 18:21-22.

[8815] Genesis 4:15, 24.