The Practice of Piety

In this action thou must deal plainly with God, and acknowledge all thine offences not only in general but also in particular:¹ this hath been the manner of all Gods children in their fasts: First, ⟨p. 641⟩because that without Confession thou hast no promise of mercy, or forgiveness of sins. Secondly, that so thou mayest acknowledge GOD to be just, ²and thy self unrighteous. Thirdly, that by the numbering of thy sins, thy heart may be the more humbled and pulled down. Fourthly, that it may appear, that thou art truly penitent: for till GOD hath given thee grace to repent; thou wilt be more ashamed to confess thy fault, then to commit thy sin. The plainer thou dealest in this respect with God; the more gracious will GOD deal with thee, for if thou do•st acknowledge thy sins, God is faithful and just to forgive thee ⟨p. 642⟩thy sins: ³and the blood of Jesus Christ his son will cleanse thee from all thy sins.

In this action thou must deale plainely with God, and acknowledge all thine offences not onely in generall but also in particuler:¹ this hath been the manner of all Gods children in their fasts: First, ⟨p. 641⟩because that without Confession thou hast no promise of mercy, or forgiuenesse of sinnes. Secondly, that so thou maiest acknowledge GOD to be iust, ²and thy selfe vnrighteous. Thirdly, that by the numbring of thy sinnes, thy heart may be the more humbled and pulled downe. Fourthly, that it may appeare, that thou art truely penitent: for till GOD hath giuen thee grace to repent; thou wilt be more ashamed to confesse thy fault, then to commit thy sinne. The plainer thou dealest in this respect with God; the more gracious will GOD deale with thee, for if thou dost acknowledge thy sinnes, God is faithfull and iust to forgiue thee