A practical exposition of the Lord's-Prayer

2. The Argument may be taken à dispari, or à minori ad majus, from the less to the greater. If we that have but a drop of Mercy, can forgive the Offences done to us; surely the infinite God, that is Mercy it self, he hath more Bowels, and more Pity; For his ways are above our ways, as high as the Heaven is above the Earth: Isa. 55. 9. So it seems the Argument is propounded; Luke 11. 4. Forgive us our Sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us.

3. The Argument may be taken from the Condition, or the Qualification of those that are to expect Pardon. They are such that out of a sense of God's Mercy to them, and the Love of God shed abroad in their Hearts, are inclined and disposed to show Mercy to others. So Christ explains it, vers. 14. making it a Condition or Qualification on our part: If ye forgive Men their Trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But this will be more abundantly clear when I come to examine that Clause.

3. The Argument may be taken from the Condition, or the Qualification of those that are to expect Pardon. They are such that out of a sense of God's Mercy to them, and the Love of God shed abroad in their Hearts, are inclined and disposed to shew Mercy to others. So Christ explains it, vers. 14. making it a Condition or Qualification on our part: If ye forgive Men their Trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But this will be more abundantly clear when I come to examine that Clause.

Before we come to the Petition it self, the Connection is to be considered; for the Particle [And] links it to the former Petition. After Hallowed be thy Name, he doth not say, And thy Kingdom come; they are propounded as distinct Sentences: but Give us this day our daily Bread, And forgive us our Debts; for three Reasons.