Downame - BV209_D69_G6_1640_v1

The reafost of the fifth petition expounded. &c. And the reafon itandeth thus, If we ( who have not fo much pitie, in regard of thine abundant mercy, as is 4 drop of water in comparifin of the Ocean feet; if we, I fay)be readie to forgive the ofenfis and injuries done againft us, then no doubt thou wilt forgive our ofen f s, which we from the bottom of our hearts confect unto thee with deprecation of pardon: But even we, Lord, whofe mercy is as nothing in comparifon of thine, are readie to remit ofenf s committed again us: and there- fore as we earneftly crave pardon, fo we do unfeignedly believe that thou wilt forgive us our finnes. The connexion of the propofition is neceffarie. For, as we fay, trod in minori valet valet etiam its majori,That which is of force in the leffer is of force alfo in the greater: If a drop of pity in us doth wafh away the offenfe of our brother, how much more fhall the multitude of his mercies wafh away our offenfes :' And our Saviour reafoneth elfewhere Matth. 7. i r. If yee which are evil can give good things to your children , how much more &c. If therefore our confciences do teftifie unto us the truth of the affumption, That wegre readie to for- give them that offend us; we may alto be affured of the truth of the conclufion , That God alfo forgi- veth our finnes. 2. Whereas many abufe the mercy of God, Z. RearoM whereof they prefume for the pardoning of their w,shy thaeCe ords re finnes, dealing unthankfully with God in cruelty & added. revenge exercifed upon their brethren, and fo de- ceive themfelves with a conceit of faith and affu- rance of the pardon of their finnes, when indeed their finne is not pardoned : therefore our Saviour B b 4 Chrift 373'