The truly blessed man, or, The way to be happy here, and forever being…

That we are to make this Confession to the Lord. To Jehovah. He is the proper object of this duty; and all Sin is to be confessed to him, ⟨p. 214⟩though not always to him only: There is some times a Confession to be made to men; but in no case will that suffice without bringing it to God; and to state this aright: Let us observe,

1. That we are not absolutely bound to confess to men, those Sins which Gods Providence hath kept secret from them. In some case we ought, as anon, but in it self it is not a positive duty; they are between God and us, and we have only to do with him. God hath not enjoined us to expose our selves either in our name or life by publishing them to the world, if he will bring us forth, it is just; but if he will let them solely hid, our business is to see that all be right between him and us.

1. That we are not absolutely bound to confess to men, those Sins which Gods Providence hath kept secret from them. In some case we ought, as anon, but in it self it is not a positive duty; they are between God and us, and we have only to do with him. God hath not enjoyned us to expose our selves either in our name or life by publishing them to the world, if he will bring us forth, it is just; but if he will let them so ly hid, our business is to see that all be right between him and us.

2. That a verbal Confession to men of the wrongs we have done them, is not always requisite. There is a restoration of wrongs by restitution that is due, but this may be done, though they know no• who wronged them, nor is it necessary that they should. In some places these are Capital; a man by confessing exposeth his life, and the wrong may be repaired by another hand, and the Sin confessed to God, and forgiveness obtained.