The necessity of acknowledgement of offences, in order to reconciliation. Set forth in a…The necessity of acknowledgment of offences, in order to reconciliation. Set forth in a…

1. This is a great hindrance to the Conversion of some men. Some persons wonder what the matter is, that these are not Converted; yea, it may be, the men themselves wonder at it: and they think the reason is, because God don't intend to have Mercy upon them, and so he rejects all Prayers; but it may be the reason is, because you won't acknowledge your ⟨p. 22⟩offence So it is with some, there is some evil way that they seek to smother, they hide some Iniquity under their tongue, they don't pour out their Soul like water; there is some way of Pride, or injustice, or voluptuousness that they won't own; if they would confess them, and forsake them, they might be Converted. Prov. 28.13. He that confesseth and for saketh shall find Mercy.

2. This shows a great deal of Hypocrisy in your Religion. You do perform many Religious services, & make many Good confessions and prayers, and lament the sinfulness of the Land if it were all sincere, it would be exceeding commendable, but so far as you are backward to acknowledge your offences, so far you have an Hypocritical heart. You pray, as Psal. 86.11. Teach me thy way: but you are unwilling to learn; you bewail your Ignorance, but you are backward to receive Conviction; You lament your Sins, but you are loth to part with them. Then there is much want of Sincerity in the shows that you make; You are not […] good as you seem to be, and had need attend that Rule, 1 Pet. 2.1. To lay aside all Guile and Hypocrisies.

2. This shews a great deal of Hypocrisy in your Religion. You do perform many Religious services, & make many Good confessions and prayers, and lament the sinfulness of the Land if it were all sincere, it would be exceeding commendable, but so far as you are backward to acknowledge your offences, so far you have an Hipocritical heart. You pray, as