The Doctrine of Repentance

3. Confession must be sincere: our¹ hearts must go along with our confessions. The hypocrite confesseth sin, but loves it; like a thief that confesseth stolen goods, yet loves stealing. How many confess pride and covetousness with their lips, but •oul them as honey under their tongue. Austin saith before his conversion he confessed sin, and begged power against it, but his heart whispered within him, not yet Lord^*; he was afraid to leave his sin too soon. A good Christian is more honest; his heart keeps pace with his tongue; he is convinced of the sins he confesseth, and abhors the sins he is convinced of.

3. Confession must be sincere: our¹ hearts must go along with our confessions. The hypocrite confesseth sin, but loves it; like a thief that confesseth stoln goods, yet loves stealing. How many confess pride and covetousness with their lips, but •oul them as honey under their tongue. Austin saith before his conversion he confessed sin, and begg'd power against it, but his heart whispered within him, not yet Lord^*; he was afraid to leave his sin too soon. A good Christian is more honest; his heart keeps pace with his tongue; he is convinced of the sins he confesseth, and abhors the sins he is convinced of.

1. 13.
2. *Non adhuc Domine. Aug. Confess.

4. In true confession a man doth particularize¹