The Protestant religion truely stated and justified by the late Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter ; prepared for the press some time before his death ; whereunto is added, by way of preface, some account of the learned author, by Mr. Danel Williams and Mr. Matthew Sylvester.

The Fifteenth accused Point.

That we ought not to confess our Sins to any man but to God only.

Ans. This is a mere impudent Lie.

1. We ought to confess our Sin, to the Magistrate at his Judicature, when we are justly accused of it.

2. And to those that we have injured, when it is needful to repair the wrong, or to procure their forgiveness.

3. And to those that we have tempted in∣to Sin, or encouraged in it, when it is need∣ful to their Repentance.

4. And to some faithful bosome Friend, when it is needful that such know our Faults, that they may watch over us, or advise us, or pray for our pardon and de∣liverance.

5. And when in Sickness, danger of Death, or other Affliction, we get the Pastors of the Church to pray for us; we should confess our Sin to them, that they may know on what cause they speak to God for our forgiveness.

6. And in any case of Guilt, Trouble, Fear, or Difficulty, in which we need the Pastors Counsel for our safety, ease and peace of Conscience, our selves and other

Friends being insufficient hereto, we should confess our Sins to the Pastors, whose ad∣vice we seek: As a Patient must truly open his Case to his Physician, and a Clyent to his Councellor, if he will not be deceived, by deceiving them. Is all this no Con∣fession?

But Protestants believe not, 1. That we must go to a Physician for every Flea-bi∣ting, or Scratch, or Cut-Finger, or to a Lawyer to give him an account of all our Actions, Money, ot Lands; nor to Priests in cases that our selves or ordinary Friends can safely and satisfactorily resolve.

2. Nor that our Confessor must needs be a Papist Priest, or one chosen by the Pope, or our Enemies; and not by our selves.

3. Nor that we must open all our Se∣crets to him; or make any Confession, which will do more hurt than good; nor over far to trust the Fidelity of a Knave, nor a suspected or untryed person.

4. And we have reason to suspect them that are importunate to know our Secrets.

5. And when Confession is required, as in order to obtain a false forged pardon, and to set up the Domination of Usurpers over men's Consciences, and over the World, it's then unlawful: If Protestants

would force Papists to confess all their secret Sins to them, would not this same Deceiver say, it were unlawful?