An exposition of the Lords prayer in the way of catechism By William PerkinsAn exposition of the Lords praier in the way of catechisme By William Perkins

1. Coherence.

These words be a part of the fifth petition, for it is put down with a condition. Forgive us, as we forgive others: and these words depend on the former, as the reason thereof, and it is taken from the comparison of the less to the greater: thus, if we, who have but a spark of mercy, do forgive others: then do thou, who art the fountain of mercy, forgive us: but we forgive others, therefore, do thou forgive us. Thus Luk. 11. 4 hath it, Forgive us our sins: for even we forgive. The Papists gather a contrary doctrine: they say, Forgive ⟨image 56⟩us as we forgive, making our forgiving a cause, for which God is moved to forgive us. But we are to know, that our forgiving is no cause, but a sign that God will forgive us.

THese wordes be a part of the fift petition, for it is put down with a condition. Forgiue vs, as we forgiue others: and these wordes depend on the former, as the reason thereof, and it is taken from the comparison of the lesse to the greater: thus, if wee, who haue but a sparke of mercie, doe forgiue others: then doe thou, who art the fountaine of mercie, forgiue vs: but we forgiue others, therefore, do thou forgiue vs. Thus Luk. 11. 4 hath it, Forgiue vs our sinnes: for euen we forgiue. The Papists gather a contrarie doctrine: they say, Forgiue ⟨image 56⟩vs as we forgiue, making our forgiuing a cause, for which God is mooued to forgiue vs. But we are to know, that our forgiuing is no cause, but a sign that God wil forgiue vs.