5. Graces to Be Desired

These words be a part of the fifth petition, which is propounded with a condition. Forgive us as we forgive others: and these words depend on the former as the reason thereof, which seems to be taken from the comparison of the less to the greater, thus: if we who have but a spark of mercy, do forgive others: then do you, who are the fountain of mercy, forgive us: but we forgive others: therefore do you forgive us. Thus (Luke 11:4) has it, Forgive us our sins, for even we forgive. (Rheims Testament on Luke 7:47) the papists take it otherwise, who say, Forgive us as we forgive, making our forgiving a cause, for which God is moved to forgive us in temporal punishments: whereas our forgiving of men is only a sign or effect that God does forgive us.