Certain comfortable expositions of the constant martyr of Christ, M. John Hooper, Bishop of…Certeine comfortable expositions of the constant martyr of Christ, M. Iohn Hooper, Bishop of…

And the knowledge of a mans own wickedness from the bottom of the heart, although it be a shame to speak or remember the vileness of sin, wherewith sinner hath most grievously transgressed Gods commandments: yet is this knowledge and confession of our sin and iniquity very necessary, and is (as it were) an induction to the remission thereof:¹ as it is to be seen in this Prophet, and in the Prophet David. For here is first confessed, that all sins in him came of his own infirmity: and all consolation against sin, came of Gods right hand. And the Prophet David saith, when he was in like trouble for sin:² I determined (saith he) to confess against my self, mine own iniquity: and thou Lord forgavest the wickedness of my sin. But here is to be noted in this, that the confession of sin is (as it were) an induction and beginning of consolation: that confession of sin is not the beginning of consolation, except he that maketh the confession be assured in his heart of Gods promises in Christ, that of mercy in Christs death, his sins be forgiven: as ye may see in these two Prophets. The one said: It is mine infirmity the worketh this doubtfulness in my soul. And the other said: I determined to condemn my self of sin.

And the knowlege of a mans owne wickednesse from the bottome of the heart, although it be a shame to speake or remember the vilenesse of sinne, wherewith sinner hath most gréeuously transgressed Gods commaundementes: yet is this knowledge and confession of our sinne and iniquitie very necessarie, and is (as it were) an induction to the remission thereof:¹ as it is to be séene in this Prophet, and in the Prophet Dauid. For here is first confessed, that all sinnes in him came of his owne infirmitie: and all consolation against sinne, came of Gods right hand. And the Prophet Dauid sayth, whē he was in like trouble for sinne:² I determined (saith he) to confesse against my selfe, mine owne iniquitie: and thou Lord forgauest the wickednesse of my sinne. But here is to be noted in this, that the confession of sinne is (as it were) an induction and beginning of consolation: that confession of sinne is not the beginning of consolation, except he that maketh the confession be assured in his heart of Gods promises in Christe, that of mercy in Christes death, his sinnes be forgiuen: as ye may sée in these two Prophetes. The one said: It is mine infirmitie the worketh this doutfulnes in my soule. And the other saide: I determined to condemne my selfe of sinne.