1. It is a notorious Falsehood to say, that no promise is made to him that confesseth to God. Prov. 28.13. we understand it of confession to God; he denies it, because he speaks it of confession to him from whom sin may be hid, which cannot be from God. But yet many a man hides his sin from himself, and will not search into his own heart, and labours to hide it from God, Isa. 29.15. Ps. 32.3, 4, 5. And that that place in the Proverbs is meant of confession to God, appears, in that he speaks it of confessing to him of whom he might find mercy, but confession to man often brings ruin. I would yet further ask them, if there be no place that expresseth pardon to him that confesseth his sins towards the Temple? see Psal. 32.5, 6. Job 33.27. and that whole prayer ⟨p. 38⟩of Solomon, 1 Kings 8. runs on promise of Pardon to him that confesseth to God, and God answers to that Petition, Chap. 9.3. and now that Solomons Temple is destroyed, we have a greater than the Temple, whereof that was but a type; if we confess our Sins, and put up our Prayers in the name of Christ, our Sins shall be pardoned and healed, and for that place, John 20.23. we say there is no mention of Confession, but they have a power to remit them without confession, according to Acts 9.17. Ananias comes to him without hearing a word from him, Acts 22.16. his Sins were not remitted by confessing them to Ananias, but by calling on the Name of the Lord; indeed if a man be burdened in Conscience, it is meet he should confess his faults to the faithful Ministers of God, and request their help and prayers, James 5.16. which is meant of Ministers, as well as Lay-men; of Christians in general, Mal. 2.7.
1. It is a notorious Falshood to say, that no promise is made to him that confesseth to God. Prov. 28.13. we understand it of confession to God; he denies it, because he speaks it of confession to him from whom sin may be hid, which cannot be from God. But yet many a man hides his sin from himselfe, and will not search into his own heart, and labours to hide it from God, Isa. 29.15. Ps. 32.3, 4, 5. And that that place in the Proverbs is meant of confession to God, appears, in that he speaks it of confessing to him of whom he might finde mercy, but confession to man often brings ruine. I would yet further ask them, if there be no place that expresseth pardon to him that confesseth his sins towards the Temple? see Psal. 32.5, 6. Job 33.27. and that whole prayer ⟨p. 38⟩of Solomon, 1 Kings 8. runs on promise of Pardon to him that confesseth to God, and God answers to that Petition, Chap. 9.3. and now that Solomons Temple is destroyed, we have a greater than the Temple, whereof that was but a type; if we confesse our Sins, and put up our Prayers in the name of Christ, our Sins shall be pardoned and healed, and for that place, John 20.23. we say there is no mention of Confession, but they have a power to remit them without confession, according to Acts 9.17. Ananias comes to him without hearing a word from him, Acts 22.16. his Sins were not remitted by confessing them to Ananias, but by calling on the Name of the Lord; indeed if a man be burthened in Conscience, it is meet he should confesse his faults to the faithfull Ministers of God, and request their help and prayers, James 5.16. which is meant of Ministers, as well as Lay-men; of Christians in general, Mal. 2.7.
