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

[Lead us not] Or carry us not into temptation, to be led, is to be overcome of the temptation, when it prevails and gets the victory. Then the meaning is this. When we are moved or enticed to sin, Lord keep us, that we be not overcome: and give thou an issue with the temptation.

[Lead vs not] Or carrie vs not into temptation, to be led, is to be ouercome of the temptation, whē it preuailes and gets the victorie. Then the meaning is this. When wee are mooued or entised to sin, Lord keepe vs, that wee be not ouercome: and giue thou an issue with the temptation.

Question. God is just, and cannot sin: but if he lead men into temptation, shall he not be the author of sin? Answer. Indeed many fearing to charge God with sin, read the words thus, suffer us not to be led, but the text is very plain, lead or carry us not. And the scriptures elsewhere, use the like phrases of God. Exod. 7. 3. God is said to harden Pharaoh's heart. 2. Sam. 24. 1. The Lord moved David to number the ⟨image 61⟩people. 2. Thes. 2. 11. God sent strong delusions, that men might believe lies. These and such like places have a worthy meaning, thus to be gathered. There is no action of man or of the devil, absolutely evil: but although in some respects it be evil, yet in some other it is good: for we are not thus to think, that as there is a main good, so also there is a main evil. Thus then, temptation being an action, it is not in every respect evil: but in some good, in some evil. And so far forth as it is good, the Lord works it: but as it is evil, he doth not work it, but willingly permits it to be done by him & Satan.

Question. God is iust, and cannot sinne: but if he lead men into temtation, shall he not be the authour of sinne? Answer. Indeed many fearing to charge God with sin, read the wordes thus, suffer vs not to be led, but the text is very piaine, leade or carrie vs not. And the scriptures elsewhere, vse the like phrases of God.