Downame - BV209_D69_G6_1640_v1

3 $3 2 7/ie re4fon of the fifth petition expounded. Be ye perfeti as your heavenly Father is perfect. But our perte %ion confifteth in uprightneffe:And there- fore although we cannot forgive and love in the like meafure, yet we muff in like quality, that is,in truth. So that the meaning is, We defire the Lord to forgive us ; for even we alfo unfeignedly forgive our bre- thren. That our Whenas therefore we do profeffe that we do fo forgiving illould`be forgive as we defire to be forgiven, and that we de- fincere and fire fo to be forgiven as we forgive, this teacheth us not feigned. that our forgiveneffe and reconciliation with our brethren fhould not be from the teeth outward, and by halves, but fincere & intire. Many men will rpeak friendly to their neighbour , when malice is in their hearts , P fal. 28. 3 . and are contented that a skin fhould be drawn over their feflred malice , making outwardly a fhew of reconciliation and forgiveneffe whenas inwardly they retein a fecret grudge in their hearts. And again, others will fay, Well, I may for- give him, but liked never forget him, &c. But thefe men rather call for vengeance then mercie at Gods hands , defiring fo to be forgiven as they forgive. And therefore as we defire the Lord not onely in word but alfo in deed and in truth to forgive us , fo muff we forgive our brethren that have offended us even from our hearts, Matth. i 8.35. And as we de- fire that the Lord would not onely forgive the pu- nifhment but alfo forget the fault it Pelf and calf it into the bottom of the fea, Mich. 7.19. fo muff we alfo forgive and forget the wrongs done unto us. So much of the words. VP;