A49255:98
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.
Leave not confessing of sin, until shame hath filled your face, and sorrow hath filled your heart: it is a great fault in many people, if they confess their sin, in crying God mercy in a general way, they think they have made God a compensation for all the injuries they have done him, though they never have any godly sorrow for their sins: but beloved you are not to content your selves with such confession. We should in this part of prayer imitate that holy Martyr Bradford who never gave over praying till his heart was somewhat affected and warmed in the duty.
Leave not confessing of sin, until shame hath filled your face, and sorrow hath filled your heart: it is a great fault in many people, if they confesse their sin, in crying God mercy in a general way, they think they have made God a compensation for all the injuries they have done him, though they never have any godly sorrow for their sins: but beloved you are not to content your selves with such confession. We should in this part of prayer imitate that holy Martyr Bradford who never gave over praying till his heart was somewhat affected and warmed in the duty.
Rule 6 A sixth Rule in confession of sin is this, If thou findest thy heart straitened in confessing present guilt and present sins upon thee, then labour to review & recollect ancient guilt and ancient sins: This is a very useful thing in a mans Christian course. It may be a man or woman professing Christianity, may not know the sins he, or she hath done this last week; for want of heedfulness and observation of their ways: in that case let them recollect what they have done many years ago, recollect old sins, when new sins do not come to remembrance, and be humbled for them: thus David did, in Psal. 51. 3. For I acknowledge my transgressions, 1and my sin is ever before me. It was meant his old sin of adultery, that was his sin that he would now call to remembrance: so when he found his heart dead, he saith, Lord, remember not the sins of my youth; he would go so far back as his youth. I prescribe this rule, not that a godly man, who is under trouble of mind should take this course to collect old sins, this may lead him to despair; but in case of barrenness, if any man wants matter in respect of present sins, and finds his heart hard and very insensible in secret prayer unto God, in that case he is bound to let conscience