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

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.

2. Nor is it the moving cause of it. Among men indeed, a tender heart is moved by an ingenious confession, and humble submission; and it makes, us to relent, and show compassion to a delinquent; but though such affections are ascribed ⟨p. 262⟩to God, yet it is after the manner of men, and warily to be understood: Affections are attributed to him in regard of the Effects which flow from his fixed and unalterable will Confession is an adjunct of true Repentance, and God is the Author of that, as well as of the pardon,