O remember not against us former iniquities. Psalms 79:8. The sins of our youth: Thus sins long forgiven, may revive again in the heart. Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us. Matthew 6:10. Divine answer. None of his sins which he has committed shall be mentioned unto him. Ezekiel 33:16. Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity and passes by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? He retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delights in mercy: He will have compassion upon us; He will subdue our iniquities, and thou will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. Micah 7:18-19.
The weakest Christian who is full of fears and doubts, by sincerely praying the fifth petition of the Lord’s prayer, may be convinced that his sins are actually pardoned; for both the forgiveness and the full assurance of it are comprehended in the same; and since he prays according to the will of God, and forgives them that trespass against him, it shows that the work of sanctification is begun in his heart also; and though at present it be but very weak and imperfect, yet it evidences his faith; and the Lord has often used this evidence and still may use it, to convince souls, for the first time, to be actually in faith and a state of grace. Who can hinder him from doing this, or even prove the contrary of it? for this is not making sanctification the foundation of the forgiveness of sin; but Christ is, and ever will be the foundation of it, and a great difference there is between grounding myself upon something, and between trying my faith in a state of darkness and uncertainty, by such marks as the Lord himself has appointed.