Question. May it not seem then, that our forgiving of men should deserve pardon of God : or be as a certain recompense made unto God?
Answer. Not so. For then should not God’s forgiveness be freely given : neither had Christ alone upon the Cross fully paid the pains of our sin due to us, for the which no man else could, or can, make any recompense or amends unto God.
Scripture References: Rom. 3:24-25 and 11:5-6; Gal. 5:4
Question. Now go forward to the sixth Petition, which some do make two Petitions.
Answer. Therein we pray, that he lead us not into temptation: but deliver us from evil
Question: Why so?
Answer. As we before do ask forgiveness of sins past, so now we pray that we sin no more. For we by nature are so unwary to foresee, and so weak to resist the manifold Snares, temptations and enticements of the Devil, the World, and the concupiscence of the flesh, that we cannot but be overcome, unless God do assist us with his grace, and arm us with his strength : and therefore we fly by prayer unto the protection, of our almighty most loving Father, that he will not suffer us to be overcome with any wicked temptation, but that he will deliver and save us from all evil.
Scripture References: Math. 12:43-45; John 5:14 and 8:11; 2 Pet. 2:21-22; Math. 10:16 and 26:41; Luke 22:31-32; 1 Cor. 1:27; 2 Cor. 11:3; Eph. 6:10-12; James 1:14 and 4:11; 1 Pet. 5:8-9; 1 John 2:15-16; Rom. 16:20; 2 Tim. 4:17-18.