A guide to go to GodA guide to goe to God

Q. What third doctrine doth the resemblance betwixt Gods forgiving, and ours import?

Q. WHat third doctrine doth the resemblance betwixt Gods forgiuing, and ours import?

A. Wrongs must be so passed over as if they had not been done. This is a full forgiveness, answerable to Gods: who so fully acquitteth us of our sins as if we had committed to sin at all. Our forgiveness therefore, by virtue of the foresaid resemblance must extend it self not to some part only, but to the whole debt or wrong, and that with such a mind, as if no debt had been due, no wrong done. Where the Apostle, to them, that by starting from the Gospel which he had taught, had exceedingly wronged his Ministry,¹ saith, Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am, for I am as ye are, ye have not injured me at all, doth he not fully forgive the wrong, even so fully, as if at all they had not wronged him. Thus much doth the same Apostle require of Philemon, ²in regard of the wrong which his servant Onesimus had done him.³ So did Joseph and Moses pass over the offences of their brethren.⁴ They did so accept and esteem them, as if they had done no wrong at all.

A. Wrongs must be so passed ouer as if they had not been done. This is a full forgiuenesse, answerable to Gods: who so fully acquitteth vs of our sinnes as if we had committed to sinne at all. Our forgiuenesse therefore, by vertue of the foresaid resemblance must extend it selfe not to some part onely, but to the whole debt or wrong, and that with such a minde, as if no debt had been due, no wrong done. Where the Apostle, to them, that by starting from the Gospell which he had taught, had exceedingly wronged his Ministery,