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

3. What influence this confession hath into that forgiveness for the obtaining of it?

A. 1. Negatively; it is neither the meritorious, nor the moving cause of Gods forgiving us.

1. It is not the meritorious cause of it. We have already observed that it is a free favour. It is indeed first merited for us, before we can partake in it; for it belongs to Justification: we are first ransomed, and then pardoned; but our confession hath no hand in this. It is through Christ's Blood that we obtain remission, by his stripes we are healed, Isa. 53. 5. Confession carrieth no satisfaction in it, but is a legal and full proof of our Guilt; in it, we condemn our selves; it saith, as Dan. 9 8. To us belongs Confusion; the Law left no room for a pardon upon acknowledgement; this is purely Evangelical.

1. It is not the meritorious cause of it. We have already observed that it is a free favour. It is indeed first merited for us, before we can partake in it; for it belongs to Justification: we are first ransomed, and then pardoned; but our confession hath no hand in this. It is through Christ's Blood that we obtain remission, by his stripes we are healed, Isa. 53. 5. Confession carrieth no satisfaction in it, but is a legal and full proof of our Guilt; in it, we condemn our selves; it saith, as Dan. 9 8. To us belongs Confusion; the Law left no room for a pardon upon acknowledgment; this is purely Evangelical.