AND FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES.

These words are at once a Confession of Sin, and a Prayer for Pardon.

1. _A Confession._ The praying of this petition presupposes a penitent
state of heart. If we are not truly penitent, this petition is a mockery
on our lips. We have need to confess our guilt, because

WE DAILY COMMIT MUCH SIN. [I John 4:8] If we are true Christians, we do
not sin wilfully and intentionally. But with our best efforts, we still
sin much through weakness, [Rom. 7:19] not only by commission, but still
more by omission. Not a day passes by, in which we do not transgress
God's law by thoughts and words and deeds. We often do the wrong and
omit doing the right without even knowing that we have done so. [Ps.
19:12]

AND DESERVE CHASTISEMENT (Punishment) ALONE. Our sins make us guilty and
deserving of punishment, even though they be sins of weakness. We must
not excuse or extenuate them. God never excuses any one. But if we
penitently confess our sins, He will forgive us for Jesus' sake. [Ps.
32:5+, I John 1:9]

2. _A Prayer for Pardon._ As in the fourth petition we daily pray
"Give," so in this fifth petition we daily pray "Forgive." Since Jesus
has taught us to pray thus, and we pray as God's children, this petition
presupposes that we pray in faith. We pray as those who believe that God
will be gracious and merciful to us for Jesus' sake.

WE PRAY IN THIS PETITION THAT OUR HEAVENLY FATHER WOULD NOT REGARD OUR