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

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. Exod. 7. 3. God is said to harden Pharaos heart. 2. Sam. 24. 1. The Lorde mooued Dauid to number the ⟨image 61⟩people. 2. Thes. 2. 11. God sent strong delusions, that men might beleeue lies. These and such like places haue a woorthie meaning, thus to be gathered. There is no action of man or of the deuil, absolutely euil: but although in some respects it be euill, yet in some other it is good: for we are not thus to think, that as there is a maine good, so also there is a maine euill. Thus then, temptation being an action, it is not in euery respect euill: but in some good, in some euill. And so farre forth as it is good, the Lord workes it: but as it is euill, he doth not worke it, but willingly permits it to be done by him & Satan.