2. Sins the cause of judgement being by such searching found out, we may not suffer them to remain, and continue to inflame Gods wrath: but as we desire to have that fire go out, so we must pull away this fuel. So long as 1fire hath fuel to work on, it will not go out: but rather be more and more hot. Now fuel is pulled away from Gods wrath,
1. When the soul is pricked, and pierced with sin: when godly sorrow is wrought in the heart: asuch a sorrow as was wrought in the Corinthians.
2. When upon that touch of heart, true confession of sin is made to God. bIf we confess our sins, God is faithful to forgive us our sins. cNathan on this ground pronounced pardon to David.
3. When upon such confession the mind is otherwise disposed then it was before: loathing the sins which before it loved: as dshe that made a towel of her hair, which had before been laid out to proclaim her lust.
4. When that loathing works a true and resolved purpose never to return to those sins again. As he that said, eI will take heed unto my ways.
5. When this purpose for the more sure performing of it, is ratified by solemn promise, vow and covenant. Hereof we have a worthy pattern of the Jews in fNehemiahs time.
6. When faithful endeavour is answerable to such purposes, promises, vows and covenants: as he that said, gThy vows are upon me, O Lord. As the bond of a Creditor to whom a man that means honestly is bound, so lies on the debtor, that he is not quiet till it be discharged, so was the vow which he had made to God, upon him.
7. When above all, remission and reconciliation is heartily sought of God, and steadfastly believed. This is principally ⟨p. 9⟩intended by the atonement hereafter to be spoken of.
2. SInnes the cause of judgement being by such searching found out, we may not suffer them to remaine, and continue to enflame Gods wrath: but as we desire to have that fire goe out, so we must pull away this fuell. So long as 1fire hath fuell to worke on, it will not go out: but rather be more and more hot. Now fuell is pulled away from Gods wrath,
1. When the soule is prickt, and pierced with sinne: when godly sorrow is wrought in the heart: asuch a sorrow as was wrought in the Corinthians.
2. When upon that touch of heart, true confession of sinne is made to God. bIf we confesse our sinnes, God is faithfull to forgive us our sinnes. cNathan on this ground pronounced pardon to David.
3. When upon such confession the mind is otherwise disposed then it was before: loathing the sinnes which before it loved: as dshe that made a towell of her haire, which had before beene laid out to proclaime her lust.
4. When that loathing works a true and resolved purpose never to returne to those sinnes againe. As he that said, eI will take heed unto my wayes.
5. When this purpose for the more sure performing of it, is ratified by solemne promise, vow and covenant. Hereof we have a worthy patterne of the Iewes in fNehemiahs time.
6. When faithfull endeavour is answerable to such purposes, promises, vowes and covenants: as he that said, gThy vowes are upon me, O Lord. As the bond of a Creditor to whom a man that meanes honestly is bound, so lies on the debter, that he is not quiet till it be discharged, so was the vow which he had made to God, upon him.
7. When above all, remission and reconciliation is heartily sought of God, and stedfastly believed. This is principally ⟨p. 9⟩intended by the attonement hereafter to be spoken of.
- 1How Gods wrath may be slaked.
- a2 Cor. 7. 9.
- b1 Joh 1. 9.1 Ioh 1. 9.
- c2 Sam 12. 13.
- dLuk. 7. 38.
- ePsal. 39. 1.
- fNeh. 9. 38.
- gPsal. 56. 12.
