The application of redemption

DOCT. 17. True Contrition is accompanied with Confession of sin, when God calls thereunto. | 619 For Explication, three things. | 1 When a sinner is called to Confession | 619 1 Public sins must be publicly confessed | 621 2 Private sins to the persons wronged | 624 3 Secret sins | 625 ⟨image 579⟩1 If a man hath confessed them to God, and he hath pardoned, he need not, should not confess them to men. | 626 2 If the Lord deny pardon and power, then he calls him to confess unto man | 628 3 In case restitution cannot otherwise be made, he must confess to man | 629 2 When is Confession serious and hearty | 630 1 When it is free; that is, when a man is, | 1 Easy to be convinced | ibid. 2 Ready to acknowledge | 633 3 And takes the evil to himself | 636 2 When it is full, and that in regard of | ibid. 1 Relating sins as they are | 638 2 The opposition of the heart against them. | 639 3 When it leaves the sinner base in his own eyes. | 640 4 When he intends to take advantage against himself and his sin by it. | ibid. 3 How doth Contrition bring in this Confession? | 641 It causeth a man | 1 To see the danger of sin | ibid. 2 To feel the bitterness of it | 643 3 To be ashamed of himself and sin | 645 Uses four, hence. | 1 Instruction: See the reason of sinful turnings and windings to hide sin | 646 2 Reproof to such as think it weakness and baseness thus to confess a mans sins | 647 3 Trial whether a man hath been brought to this frame of spirit, thus to confess sin when called thereunto. | 650 It discovers the falseness of four sorts | 1 Such as out of hardness of heart, and custom, are without all sense of sin. | 651 ⟨image 579⟩2 Such as instead of bearing the shame of their sins, cast shame upon the Truth that discovers sin. | 652 3 Such as seek for shameful hidings to cover sin. | 653 4 Such as repent of their Confessions. | 654 How to know we are content to take shame for sin by a right Confession of it | 655 1 He opposeth not the Truth that discovers his sin and shame. | ibid. 2 He is not offended with the man that is the Instrument. | 656 3 He is not disquieted in the bearing of it | 636 4 He will not choose unlawful means to be rid of it. | 665 4 Exhortation to attend the duty of Confession when thou art called thereunto. | ibid. Be wise in choosing the Party to whom you confess: He must be | 1 Skilful | 666 2 Merciful | ibid. 3 Faithful.

DOCT. 17. True Contrition is accompanied with Confession of sin, when God calls thereunto. | 619 For Explication, three things. | 1 When a sinner is called to Confession | 619 1 Publick sins must be publickly confessed | 621 2 Private sins to the persons wronged | 624 3 Secret sins | 625