It is Humble, and not 1proud (as Benhadad's servants, with ropes, &c.) done with Contrition of Heart, not with Ostentation of Spirit. Like a flash of Lightning, breaks out of a cloud rented; and Josephs garment was showed to his father rent and dipped in blood. Anciently, when they did confess their sins to God, they did it with Sackcloth and Ashes; and the opening of their sins is termed, The pouring out of water before the Lord (I am vile, Job 40. 4. Not worthy, &c. Luke 15.) because when they p•ured out their sins in confession of Tongue, they likewise poured out contrition of Heart; their tears of Grief, spake as much as the words of their Lips: I will declare mine Iniquities, and be sorry for my sin, Psal. 38. The Papists indeed have as course a Garment, and as severe a Garb in penitential confession as any, but underneath they have dainty Linen; there lies great pride under all this pretended Humiliation, as if all this did merit at the hands of God; the Voice is humble Jacob's, but the pride upon the act is proud Esau's. If they saw the wrong which they did by sinning, how could they so proudly challenge God upon their confessing (what doth the murderer deserve because he confesseth?) But truly Penitential Confession is accompanied with grief in the heart, and with shame in the face, and with acknowledgement, That by reason of our sins there belongs nothing to us but shame and confusion, Daniel 9. 5. It is mixed with some Faith, not overcome with Despair: If the 2confession of sin be not mixed with some hope of pardon, it is not penitential but desperate: Cain, in some measure confessed, but fled into the Land of Nod, and reputes his offence Unpardonable, beyond the power or intention of Mercy to pardon him. Judas likewise utters his sin in particular, I have sinned in betraying innocent. Blood; But then he goods out and hangs himself: ⟨p. 110⟩But if the confession be truly penitential, it acknowledgeth sin fully, yet believingly; not to a mere Judge, who out of the mouth of the Confessor condemneth, but to a father (Father, I have sinned, saith our Prodigal) who knows how to absolve and forgive him, that knows how to accuse and condemn himself. As you must in Confessions acknowledge, O Lord my sins are very great; so likewise must you relieve your selves, O Lord, thy mercies are exceeding many; thus have I sinned, but thou canst pardon;
It is Humble, and not 1proud (as Benhadads servants, with ropes, &c.) done with Contrition of Heart, not with Ostentation of Spirit. Like a flash of Lightning, breaks out of a cloud rented; and Josephs garment was shewed to his father rent and dipt in blood. Anciently, when they did confess their sins to God, they did it with Sack•loth and Ashes; and the opening of their sins is termed, The pouring out of water before the Lord (I am vile, Job 40. 4. Not worthy, &c. Luke 15.) because when they p•ured out their sins in confession of Tongue, they likewise poured out contrition of Heart; their tears of Grief, spake as much as the words of their Lips: I will declare mine Iniquities, and be sorry for my sin, Psal. 38. The Papists indeed have as course a Garment, and as severe a Garb in penitential confession as any, but underneath they have dainty Linnen; there lies great pride under all this pretended Humiliation, as if all this did merit at the hands of God; the Voice is humble Jacob's, but the pride upon the act is proud Esau's. If they saw the wrong which they did by sinning, how could they so proudly challenge God upon their confessing (what doth the murtherer deserve because he confesseth?) But truly Penitential Confession is accompanied with grief in the heart, and with shame in the face, and with acknowledgment, That by reason of our sins there belongs nothing to us but •hame and confusion, Daniel 9. 5. It is mixt with some Faith, not overcome with Despair: If the 2confession of sin be not mixed with some hope of pardon, it is not penitential but desperate: Cain, in some measure confessed, but fled into the Land of Nod, and reputes his offence Unpardonable, beyond the power or intention of Mercy to pardon him. Judas likewise utters his sin in particular, I have sinned in betraying innocent. Blood; But then he goos out and hangs himself: ⟨p. 110⟩But if the confession be truly penitential, it acknowledgeth sin fully, yet believingly; not to a meer Judge, who out of the mouth of the Confessor condemneth, but to a father (Father, I have sinned, saith our Prodigal) who knows how to absolve and forgive him, that knows how to accuse and condemn himself. As you must in Confessions acknowledg, O Lord my sins are very great; so likewise must you relieve your selves, O Lord, thy mercies are exceeding many; thus have I sinned, but thou canst pardon;
- 1And Humble.
- 2And mixed with some Faith.And mixt with some Faith.
