HenryWSC 105

Matthew Henry’s Westminster Shorter Catechism Commentary on Question 105

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Are our sins our debts to God? Yes: There was a certain creditor that had two debtors, etc.
Luke 7:41
. Are they great debts? Yes: ten thousand talents,
Matt. 18:24
. Can we discharge these debts ourselves? No: we have nothing to pay,
Luke 7:42
. Are we liable to the prison of hell then? Yes: not to depart thence till we have paid the last mite,
Luke 12:58–59
. Is it possible to obtain the forgiveness of this debt? Yes: There is forgiveness with thee,
Ps. 130:4
.
Are we to pray for the forgiveness of these debts? Yes: Enter not into judgment with thy servant, O Lord,
Ps. 143:2
. And to pray earnestly for it? Yes: For thy name’s sake, O Lord, pardon mine iniquity,
Ps. 25:11
. Must we plead God’s mercies? Yes: According to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions,
Ps. 51:1
. And Christ’s merits? Yes: Through the redemption that is in Jesus,
Rom. 3:24
. Must we pray for it every day? Yes: when we pray, Give us our daily bread, we must pray, Forgive us our debts.
Must we pray that God would ease us of the burden of sin? Yes: Take away all iniquity,
Hos. 14:2
. And that he would cleanse us from the filth of sin? Yes: Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity,
Ps. 51:2
. And cure us of the wounds of sin? Yes: Heal my soul, for I have sinned against thee,
Ps. 12:4
. And save us from the punishment of sin? Yes: I will say unto God, do not condemn me,
Job 10:2
.
Must we pray to God to give us that grace which will qualify us for pardon? Yes: for Christ is exalted to give repentance and remission,
Acts 5:31
. And that he would give us the comfort of our pardon? Yes: Make me to hear joy and gladness,
Ps. 51:8
. And must we, in order hereunto, be particular in confessing sin? Yes: Declare, that thou mayest be justified,
Isa. 43:26
.
Must we forgive those who have provoked us? Yes: forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any,
Col. 3:13
. Must we bear them no malice? No: Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye he condemned,
James 5:9
. Must we be ready to be reconciled to them? Yes: When ye stand praying, forgive if ye have ought against any,
Mark 11:25
. Should we be merciful to those that we have advantage against? Yes: Thou shouldest have had compassion on thy fellow-servant as I had pity on thee,
Matt. 18:33
. Is this required to qualify, us for the pardon of sin? Yes: If Ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you,
Matt. 6:14
. Will God forgive those that do not forgive? No: If ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours, verse 15.
HenryWSC 105