Downame - BV209_D69_G6_1640_v1

What is meant by this word fa /give. What is meant by forgiving our trefpafres Catharifts, which dream of perfetion in this life; and alfo the Pelagians and Papifts, which hold that a man may fully and perfeetly keep the law of God in this life, are confuted: For fuch cannot make this petition except they will mock God, as all thofe do that have a conceit of their own per- fedion. ( Which conceit is in not onely the Catha- rifts and Papifis, but alfo in the greateft part ofig- norant and fecure men, who affirm that they love God with all their heart, and their neighbour as themfelves, they never did any man hurt, they ne- ver doubted of their falvation.) For howfoever the Scripture fpeaketh of perfeí7 men, and fuch as walkedin ail the commandments of God,yet certain it is that thereby is meant the uprightnefl"e of their will and endeavour, not the perfeion of their obedi- ence; which uprightneffenotwithf}anding the Scri- pture calleth perfehiion, the Lord accepting the will for the deed: fo that upright men may indeed be Paid to be perfeti, but in afetiu potiús quám effeCu, in their affedtions rather then their actions. Forgive. The Lord in forgiving finnes, as he is merciful! fo is he juft, 1. John r. 9. Neither doth he forgive any finite for which his juftice is not fatisfied by the obedience and fufferings of Chrift, Rom.3.26. He is therefore faid to forgive our finnes when as he inputeth them not unto us, but accepting of the obedience and fufferings of Chrift as a full ranfome and fatisfa1ion for them, wafhing away our finnes in his blond, covering them with his righteouf- neffe, imputing our finnes to Chrift and his obedi- ence