Luke 11:4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation… What are the things for which the second part of the last petition requireth thanks? 1. Repentance after sin committed. This is a sure evidence of deliverance from a great evil. Therefore the Church glorified God because He had granted repentance. 2. Rescue out of Satan's clutches. If Satan have at any time got any advantage against us, as he getteth great advantage against witches and sorcerers, yea, and against other impudent and audacious sinners whom he hath fast in his clutches, to be rescued and recovered out of his hands affordeth just cause of much thanks, which Mary Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, well knew to be most due, and therefore, in testimony of thankfulness, she followed Christ, and ministered to Him of her substance. 3. Recovery out of the world. The apostle ascribeth glory to Christ for delivering us from this present evil world. 4. Conquest of the spirit over the flesh. For by the spirit's conquest are we freed from the dominion of the flesh. For this, therefore, the apostle giveth express thanks. 5. Removal of judgments. Judgments and all manner of crosses are in their kind evils; and removal of them is a deliverance from those evils; whereupon the saints have been thankful for such deliverances. The Israelites give thanks to God for freeing them from the Egyptian bondage; and David for causing the plague to cease; and Hezekiah for taking away a deadly disease; and the Church for returning her captivity. 6. Victory over death. Death in itself is a dreadful evil, the very entrance into damnation. But by Christ the sting of it is pulled out, the nature of it is altered. It is made a gate into eternal glory. This is that victory for which St. Paul giveth thanks. 7. Hope of resurrection to life. 8. Hope of eternal glory. These are full and final deliverances from all evil. God's promise of these to such as believe is as a performance of them. our hope, therefore, resting on God's promise for these, affordeth just occasion of rejoicing and praising God, as St. Peter doth, and St. Paul also. (W. Gouge.) Parallel Verses KJV: And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. |
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