A treatise of faith divided into two parts. The first showing the nature, the…A treatise of faith diuided into two parts. The first shewing the nature, the…

First he must unfeignedly humble his soul before God in the confession of sin, with earnest prayer for pardon. For he that acknowledgeth his sins, shall be received into favour.¹ O Lord, I have sinned, and thou art justly displeased: I have cast off thy law, and thy wrath is kindled against me. My heart trembleth at the apprehension of thy sore displeasure, and I am afraid of thy judgements. All this is come upon me by reason of my foolishness:² my smart and sorrow is bred in mine own bosom. I have no rest in my bones because of my sin.³ But, dear Father, I look unto thee for mercy in Jesus Christ, I beseech thee, take away the transgression of thy servant.⁴ It is thy property to show mercy, it is thy free promise to pardon the iniquities, transgressions and sins of thy people that turn unto thee, and pray: for thy Names sake be favourable to mine iniquities, and remember my sin no more: cast them behind thy back,⁵ do them away as a mist, and bury them in perpetual oblivion. I have gone astray like a lost sheep, but now my desire is to return home unto thee: With my whole heart I desire thy favour, O suffer me not to perish under the burden of my sin. Remember not to my revoltings from thy Commandments: but according to the multitude of thy tender compassions remember me for thy goodness sake, O Lo•d. Truth it is, I am not worthy to be called thy son, or to be partaker of the least crumb of thy mercy: But thou art a most loving and compassionate Father, who dealest not according to the iniquities of thy children that trespass against thee,⁶ nor rewardest them according to their deserts: who retainest not thine anger for ever, because mercy pleaseth thee. If thou wilt be merciful to my sin, then shall thy glory appear, my heart shall be inflamed with thy love, I shall walk in thy fear, and ⟨p. 241⟩