N00802:597
The truly blessed man
The truly blessed man: or, The way to be happy here, and for ever: being the substance of divers sermons preached on, Psalm XXXII. / By Samuel Willard, teacher of a church in Boston. N.E. ; [Five lines from Isaiah]
printed by B. Green for Michael Perry, 1700
Sermon › Right Confession, its nature and usefulness. DOCTRINE. › Proposition 6: PROPOSITION VI.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
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 ano•, 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 enjoyed 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 •id, 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 ano•, 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 enjoyed 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 •id, 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 not 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.
3. Sins known to others, and by which there is a scandal, are to be confessed to men, for removing the scandal. If it be private, and but few know of it, it sufficeth to confess it to them,