The Christian's manual in three parts ... / by L. Addison ...

XXXI.

And first, as to Confession of sins, it is upon the account of common Ingenuity to be ex∣pected from every one who knows himself to be guilty. Now that Confession which is valuable with the Almighty, a∣riseth from an abhorrence of the

iniquities you confess, tha•• thereby you have displeased God, and worthily deserved his Vengeance. And it runs throug•• all the sorts of sins whereof yo•• know your self to be conscious Aggravating them with a•• their heightning circumstances and comprizing your unknow•• sins in David's penitent form Who can tell how oft he offendeth Cleanse me, O Lord, from my se••¦cret sins. But if in Confessio•• of sins, you should be never 〈◊〉〈◊〉 particular, yet if it be done wit•• any milder purpose towar•• them, than their utter destr••¦ction, it will look rather like 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Inventory than a Confession a counting up the goods ye•• have a mind to preserve, rath•••• than an acknowledgment 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the sins you resolve to abando•• God forbid you should be ev•••• so infatuated and befooled b•• your own fancy, as to imagin••

the pure Eyes of God should be taken with the sight of your filthiness and obliquity! or that you should think he is delight∣ed in the Narrative of those iniquities, whose committing he hath so strictly forbidden, and doth so greatly abhor! When you open your Ulcers unto God with any other intent than to have them healed, their view will excite his indignation, and not his pity. When therefore you do not really intend to for∣sake the sins you confess, you do ••n truth defend them, how loud∣••y soever your Tongue may ac∣cuse them. He only who con∣fesseth and forsaketh, shall find mercy. If you thus forsake your sins, God is faithful and ••ust to forgive you your sins, and cleanse you from all un∣righteousness, 1 John 1.9. He ••s bound in Fidelity and Justice ••o fulfil that promise of Pardon

to you, which he has made to all Penitents, upon their humble Confession of sins, and sincere Reformation. This being the only course whereby you may free your self from all punish∣ment of sins, and become ca∣pable of Mercy.