A49255:226
The penitent pardoned a treatise wherein is handled the duty of confession of sin…
The penitent pardoned a treatise wherein is handled the duty of confession of sin and the privilege of the pardon of sin : together with a discourse of Christs ascension into heaven and of his coming again from heaven : wherein the opinion of the Chiliasts is considered and solidly confuted / being the sum and substance of several sermons preached by that faithful servant of Christ, Mr. Christopher Love ...The penitent pardoned a treatise wherein is handled the duty of confession of sin and the priviledge of the pardon of sin : together with a discourse of Christs ascension into heaven and of his coming again from heaven : wherein the opinion of the Chiliasts is considered and solidly confuted / being the sum and substance of several sermons preached by that faithful servant of Christ, Mr. Christopher Love ...
London: printed for John Rothwell, 1657
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Again, Of confession of sin there is great use, because it doth ease the mind, it gives vent to a troubled mind, concealed guilt breeds horror and hell in the conscience; it is an ingenuous clearness when a man can open himself to God in free confession, which doth allay the anguish and trouble of mind, Job. 32. 18. For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me, vers. 19. Behold, my Belly is as Wine which hath no vent, it is ready to burst like new bottles: vers. 20. I will speak that I may be refreshed, I will open my lips and answer. A godly man is full of matter, of confession to God, and like a vessel ready to burst, till he can vent himself by confession in Gods presence; this is the answer to the first Objection.
Again, Of confession of sin there is great use, because it doth ease the minde, it gives vent to a troubled minde, concealed guilt breeds horrour and hell in the conscience; it is an ingenuous clearnesse when a man can open himself to God in free confession, which doth allay the anguish and trouble of minde, Job. 32. 18. For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me, vers. 19. Behold, my Belly is as Wine which hath no vent, it is ready to burst like new bottles: vers. 20. I will speake that I may be refreshed, I will open my lips and answer. A godly man is full of matter, of confession to God, and like a vessel ready to burst, til he can vent himself by confession in Gods presence; this is the answer to the first Objection.
Object. 2 A second Objection is this, but you will say, what need such pressing of confessing of sin, as having a connection with pardon? for as God is never the better by my grace; so God is never the worse by my sin: as my grace adds nothing to Gods holiness, so my sin can detract nothing from Gods glory; for God is nevertheless Glorious though I be never so much sinful: One might urge as Elihu did in Job. 5. 37. If thou be righteous, what givest thou him? or what receiveth he of thine hand? vers.