To forgive Sin, is to free a man from Sin, and Punishment, and to remit it, Jer. 31.33.

To cleanse from Sin, is to mortify Sin, and quicken Grace.

To cleanse from Sin, is to mortifie Sin, and quicken Grace.

Reas. 1. In respect of God;

2. It sanctifies the name of Gods grace; why doth the Apostle so set out the sinfulness of all, in Cap. 2. & 3. ad Rom. but that he might magnify the riches of Gods grace? it shows, that if they have any mercy it is from Free Grace.

2. It sanctifies the name of Gods grace; why doth the Apostle so set out the sinfulnes of all, in Cap. 2. & 3. ad Rom. but that he might magnifie the riches of Gods grace? it shews, that if they have any mercy it is from Free Grace.

Reas. 2. In respect of our selves;

1. It exceedingly humbles us, and makes us willing to accept any hand of God, Lev. 26.41, 42. how do these men come to be humbled? if they confess their sins, and the sins of their Fathers, this will humble them.

1. It exceedingly humbles us, and makes us willing to accept any hand of God, Lev. 26.41, 42. how doe these men come to be humbled? if they confesse their sins, and the sins of their Fathers, this will humble them.

2. Confession of sin to God, doth restrain us from Commission of sin, for a man considers he must come before God, and break his heart for it, and an ingenuous heart is more ashamed of his sin before God, than before men, Ps. 51. Against thee, against thee only have I sinned, that most affected him.

2. Confession of sin to God, doth restrain us from Commission of sin, for a man considers he must come before God, and break his heart for it, and an ingenuous heart is more ashamed of his sin before God, than before men, Ps. 51. Against thee, against thee onely have I sinned, that most affected him.

3. Confession of Sin makes us examine our selves, and that is very profitable when a man comes and considers the frame of his heart and life, it afflicts him much, as the searching of a Wound doth anguish the Body, so examination of our selves doth much afflict our souls.

Now for the properties of this Confession, it must be serious and sincere, and with a resolution to do so no more, when a man confesseth his sins with grief of heart that he hath offended God, and resolves never to do the like again, this is very effectual.

Now for the properties of this Confession, it must be serious and sincere, and with a resolution to doe so no more, when a man confesseth his sins with griefe of heart that he hath offended God, and resolves never to doe the like again, this is very effectuall.

Use 1. It serves to teach us, that in Scripture phrase the repentance of an ⟨p. 39⟩humble Sinner goes before Justification, and Sanctification; many a man comes to be humbled, and yet is confident his sin is neither forgiven nor his heart sanctified: if Confession be the way to Pardon, what need a man confess his Sins, if he be truly persuaded they be forgiven? we grant therefore that Repentance is the way to Pardon, to the sense of it at least. It is a question whether Repentance go before Faith, or Faith before Repentance. I answer, if you take it practically, there is no man that either believes his sin pardoned, or healed, till he brought to Humiliation, contrition, and sorrow.

Ʋse 1. It serves to teach us, that in Scripture phrase the repentance of an ⟨p. 39⟩humble Sinner goes before Justification, and Sanctification; many a man comes to be humbled, and yet is confident his sinne is neither forgiven nor his heart sanctified: if Confession be the way to Pardon, what need a man confesse his Sins, if he be truly perswaded they be forgiven? we grant therefore that Repentance is the way to Pardon, to the sence of it at least. It is a question whether Repentance go before Faith, or Faith before Repentance. I answer, if you take it practically, there is no man that either believes his sin pardonned, or healed, till he brought to Humiliation, contrition, and sorrow.

Use 2. To teach all that stand either in need of pardon of Sin, or cleansing from Sin, what course to take; the best have need to increase it; but didst thou not find pardon at all, or cleansing here is a plain Promise, If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins; as if he should say, If we should confess our Sins truly, and yet find no pardon, it would violate the faithfulness and righteousness of God.

Ʋse 2. To teach all that stand either in need of pardon of Sin, or cleansing from Sin, what course to take; the best have need to increase it; but didst thou not finde pardon at all, or cleansing here is a plaine Promise, If we confesse our sins, he is faithfull and just to forgive us our sins; as if he should say, If we should confesse our Sins truly, and yet finde no pardon, it would violate the faithfulnesse and righteousnesse of God.

Obj. You will say, you have confessed your sins oft before God, and yet have found no pardon?

Answ. Have you confessed your chief sins, by which you have most dishonoured God? if you hold back any, no wonder if God hold back comfort; he that hides his sin shall not prosper, Prov. 28.13.

Obj. You will say, you have dealt plainly with God, as far as you can tell?

Answ. I ask you, hath your Confession been serious, heartily grieving for dishonouring of God, giving him the praise of his Justice, that you have deserved nothing but Hell, and do you magnify his Mercy, and humble your Souls? why in this case God may suspend the feeling of pardon, but you are in the way to pardon: would you commit those sins again you confess? do you hate and abhor them? then you are cleansed from them; if sin be your greatest burden, then it is pardoned: and you could not be cleansed from sin unless sin were pardoned; for the same blood of Christ mortifies Sin, that justifies us: Therefore as ever you desire to find pardon, go to God, confess your Sins, deal plainly and seriously, that your hearts may be humbled, and you shall find pardon; he doth not indeed limit the time, he may make good this promise, to some sooner, to some later; but there is none but he will make it good to them, if they wait upon him.

Answ. I ask you, hath your Confession been serious, heartily grieving for dishonouring of God, giving him the praise of his Justice, that you have deserved nothing but Hell, and doe you magnifie his Mercy, and humble your Souls? why in this case God may suspend the feeling of pardon, but you are in the way to pardon: would you commit those sins again you confesse? do you hate and abhor them? then you are cleansed from them; if sin be your greatest burthen, then it is pardoned: and you could not be cleansed from sin unless sin were pardoned; for the same bloud of Christ mortifies Sin, that justifies us: Therefore as ever you desire to finde pardon, go to God, confesse your Sins, deal plainly and seriously, that your hearts may be humbled, and you shall finde pardon; he doth not indeed limit the time, he may make good this promise, to some sooner, to some later; but there is none but he will make it good to them, if they wait upon him.