FORGIVENESS | AdventAI

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 3, 1861

FORGIVENESS.

"Forgive and ye shall be forgiven." Luke vi, 37. "How oft? Until seventy times seven." Matt. xviii, 21. See also Matt. vi, 12, 15; Mark xi, 25, 26, etc. etc.

Forgive! 'Tis Heaven's divine command, The measure of its grace; Said Jesus, "When ye praying stand Within the holy place, Bring no resentments in your hand, No frowns upon your face."

Though oft repeated,—seven times seven, In guilt's most hateful forms, "Forgive as thou wouldst be forgiven;" Dost thou accept the terms, Yet proudly hope to enter heaven Frowning on fellow worms?

I know my dreadful sin abounds, I feel the deep offense, I owe my Lord ten thousand pounds, And thee a hundred pence; Both, both, with shame and grief profound, My burdened soul laments.

And dost not thou to Him confess, Like me, a mighty debt, Without one plea of righteousness Its charges to offset? Which only grace—free, sovereign grace, Can cancel or forget?

Has not thy daily prayer been heard, Repeated morn and even, "As I forgive offences, Lord, So be my sins forgiven?" Ah! should he take thee at thy word, Where were thy hopes of heaven!

Since 'tis to grace—free, sovereign grace, The most exalted bow, Who, who of all our blood-bought race Will be censerious now, Or to the guiltiest say, "Give place, I'm holier than thou?"