The practice of piety directing a Christian how to walk, that he may please…

3. Of the humble confession of sins.

In this action thou must deal plainly with God, ¹and acknowledge all the sins thou knowest, not only in general, but also in particular. This hath been the manner of all God's Children in their Fasts: first,² because that without Confession thou hast no promise of mercy or forgiveness of sins. Secondly, That so thou mayest acknowledge God to be just, ³and 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, than to commit thy sin. The plainer thou deale•• in this respect with God, the more graciously will God deal with thee: for if thou dost acknowledge thy sins, ⁴God ⟨p. 295⟩is faithful and just to forgive thee thy sins: and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son shall cleanse thee from all thy sins.

In this action thou must deal plainly with God, ¹and acknowledge all the sins thou knowest, not only in general, but also in particular. This hath been the manner of all God's Children in their Fasts: first,² because that without Confession thou hast no promise of mercy or forgiveness of sins. Secondly, That so thou maist acknowledge God to be just,