business_n of_o confession_n the_o second_o text_n they_o allege_v to_o this_o purpose_n be_v 1_o john_n 1.9_o if_o we_o confess_v our_o sin_n he_o be_v faithful_a and_o just_a to_o forgive_v we_o our_o sin_n here_o indeed_o be_v confession_n but_o general_a not_o particular_a as_o appear_v by_o the_o opposition_n if_o we_o say_v that_o we_o have_v no_o sin_n we_o deceive_v ourselves_o and_o the_o truth_n be_v not_o in_o we_o but_o if_o we_o confess_v our_o sin_n that_o be_v if_o we_o acknowledge_v ourselves_o to_o have_v be_v sinner_n and_o then_o here_o be_v not_o a_o word_n of_o confess_v to_o the_o priest_n the_o confession_n here_o mean_v be_v plain_o to_o god_n because_o it_o follow_v he_o be_v faithful_a and_o just_a to_o forgive_v we_o our_o sin_n that_o be_v god_n who_o be_v necessary_o understand_v in_o the_o former_a part_n of_o the_o sentence_n as_o if_o it_o have_v run_v thus_o if_o we_o confess_v our_o sin_n to_o god_n he_o be_v faithful_a and_o just_a to_o forgive_v we_o our_o sin_n the_o three_o text_n be_v jam._n 5.16_o confess_v your_o fault_n one_o to_o another_o and_o pray_v one_o for_o another_o and_o here_o again_o there_o be_v only_a mention_n of_o confession_n but_o not_o a_o word_n of_o the_o priest_n and_o for_o another_o reason_n if_o i_o have_v be_v to_o advise_v they_o they_o shall_v not_o have_v press_v this_o text_n for_o their_o service_n in_o this_o cause_n because_o it_o do_v they_o as_o much_o hurt_n as_o good_a for_o it_o be_v certain_a the_o duty_n of_o confession_n here_o enjoin_v be_v reciprocal_a and_o mutual_a confess_v your_o sin_n one_o to_o another_o so_o that_o if_o by_o virtue_n of_o this_o text_n the_o people_n be_v bind_v to_o confess_v their_o sin_n to_o the_o priest_n the_o priest_n be_v hereby_o as_o much_o oblige_v to_o confess_v his_o sin_n to_o the_o people_n which_o i_o dare_v say_v be_v more_o than_o they_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o prove_v from_o this_o text._n the_o plain_a meaning_n whereof_o be_v this_o that_o as_o christian_n shall_v be_v ready_a to_o perform_v all_o mutual_a office_n of_o charity_n so_o to_o assist_v and_o comfort_v one_o another_o by_o their_o counsel_n and_o prayer_n and_o therefore_o the_o apostle_n advise_v christian_n when_o they_o be_v sick_a if_o at_o the_o same_o time_n they_o be_v under_o any_o spiritual_a trouble_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o gild_n of_o any_o sin_n lie_v upon_o their_o conscience_n to_o lay_v open_a their_o case_n to_o one_o another_o that_o so_o they_o may_v have_v the_o help_n of_o one_o another_o advice_n and_o prayer_n confess_v your_o fault_n one_o to_o another_o and_o pray_v one_o for_o another_o that_o you_o may_v be_v heal_v both_o of_o your_o bodily_a and_o spiritual_a distemper_n not_o that_o the_o priest_n or_o minister_n be_v here_o exclude_v st._n james_n have_v speak_v of_o that_o particular_a before_o that_o when_o any_o be_v sick_a he_o shall_v send_v for_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n that_o he_o may_v in_o the_o first_o place_n have_v the_o benefit_n of_o their_o counsel_n and_o prayer_n and_o then_o because_o private_a christian_n may_v also_o be_v useful_a to_o one_o another_o in_o this_o kind_n he_o add_v that_o they_o shall_v also_o lay_v open_a their_o condition_n and_o trouble_n to_o one_o another_o that_o so_o they_o may_v have_v the_o help_n of_o one_o another_o advice_n and_o prayer_n and_o very_o probable_o all_o the_o confession_n here_o mean_v of_o private_a christian_n to_o one_o another_o be_v of_o the_o offence_n and_o injury_n they_o may_v have_v be_v guilty_a of_o one_o towards_o another_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v reconcile_v upon_o this_o occasion_n and_o as_o a_o testimony_n of_o their_o charity_n shall_v pray_v one_o for_o another_o whereas_o they_o be_v bind_v to_o send_v for_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n and_o they_o be_v to_o pray_v over_o they_o as_o a_o act_n not_o only_o of_o charity_n but_o of_o superiority_n and_o by_o virtue_n of_o their_o office_n in_o the_o church_n a_o more_o especial_a blessing_n be_v to_o be_v expect_v from_o their_o prayer_n these_o three_o text_n be_v the_o main_a argument_n from_o scripture_n which_o they_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n bring_v to_o prove_v their_o auricular_a or_o secret_a confession_n to_o be_v of_o divine_a institution_n and_o woeful_a proof_n they_o be_v which_o show_v what_o miserable_a shift_n they_o be_v reduce_v to_o who_o resolve_v to_o maintain_v a_o bad_a cause_n i_o proceed_v in_o the_o second_o place_n to_o discover_v the_o falsehood_n of_o their_o other_o pretence_n that_o this_o kind_n of_o confession_n have_v always_o be_v practise_v in_o the_o catholic_n church_n and_o not_o only_o so_o but_o believe_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o the_o remission_n of_o man_n sin_n and_o their_o eternal_a salvation_n the_o truth_n of_o the_o whole_a matter_n be_v this_o public_a confession_n and_o penance_n for_o open_a and_o scandalous_a crime_n be_v in_o use_n and_o with_o great_a strictness_n observe_v in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o christianity_n and_o there_o be_v then_o no_o general_a law_n or_o custom_n that_o exact_v secret_a confession_n of_o sin_n to_o the_o priest_n as_o a_o necessary_a part_n of_o repentance_n and_o condition_n of_o forgiveness_n afterward_o public_a penance_n be_v by_o degree_n disuse_v which_o plain_o show_v that_o in_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o church_n this_o discipline_n how_o useful_a soever_o be_v not_o of_o absolute_a necessity_n to_o restore_v man_n to_o the_o favour_n of_o god_n in_o place_n of_o this_o come_v in_o private_a confession_n to_o the_o priest_n particular_o appoint_v to_o this_o office_n and_o call_v the_o penitentiary_n but_o upon_o occasion_n of_o a_o scandal_n that_o happen_v this_o also_o be_v abrogate_a by_o nectarius_n bishop_n of_o constantinople_n which_o show_v that_o neither_o be_v this_o necessary_a and_o this_o act_n of_o nectarius_n be_v justify_v by_o his_o successor_n st._n chrysostom_n who_o do_v over_o and_o over_o most_o express_o teach_v that_o confession_n of_o our_o sin_n to_o man_n be_v not_o necessary_a to_o the_o forgiveness_n of_o they_o but_o that_o it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o confess_v they_o to_o god_n alone_o so_o that_o st._n chrysostom_n do_v plain_o stand_v condemn_v by_o the_o decree_n of_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n and_o thus_o for_o several_a age_n the_o matter_n rest_v till_o the_o degeneracy_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n grow_v towards_o its_o height_n about_o the_o ix_o and_o x._o century_n some_o begin_v to_o contend_v for_o the_o necessity_n of_o secret_a confession_n and_o this_o in_o the_o year_n 1215._o in_o the_o iv_o council_n of_o lateran_n under_o pope_n innocent_n iii_o be_v decree_v and_o establish_v and_o this_o be_v the_o first_o public_a law_n that_o be_v make_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n concern_v this_o matter_n notwithstanding_o all_o the_o boast_n of_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n about_o the_o antiquity_n of_o this_o institution_n and_o practice_n for_o gratian_n who_o live_v about_o 50_o year_n before_o this_o council_n tell_v we_o that_o in_o his_o time_n several_a wise_a and_o religious_a man_n be_v of_o the_o contrary_a opinion_n and_o do_v not_o hold_v confession_n necessary_a by_o virtue_n of_o any_o divine_a law_n afterward_o in_o the_o council_n of_o florence_n and_o especial_o in_o that_o of_o trent_n this_o decree_n of_o the_o council_n of_o lateran_n be_v confirm_v and_o enlarge_v in_o many_o particular_n of_o which_o i_o have_v already_o give_v some_o account_n and_o whereas_o they_o pretend_v for_o themselves_o the_o universal_a practice_n not_o only_o of_o the_o past_a but_o present_a church_n we_o be_v able_a to_o show_v from_o clear_a testimony_n of_o their_o own_o writer_n that_o confession_n as_o teach_v and_o practise_v in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v not_o where_o else_o in_o use_n at_o this_o day_n neither_o among_o the_o abyssine_n nor_o indian_n of_o st._n thomas_n nor_o the_o nestorian_n nor_o the_o armenian_n nor_o the_o jacobite_n church_n of_o great_a antiquity_n and_o vast_a extent_n and_o as_o for_o the_o greek_a church_n if_o we_o may_v believe_v gratian_n and_o the_o author_n of_o the_o gloss_n upon_o the_o canon_n law_n the_o greek_n have_v ancient_o no_o tradition_n concern_v the_o necessity_n of_o confession_n nor_o do_v they_o at_o this_o day_n agree_v with_o the_o roman_a church_n in_o all_o point_n concern_v it_o so_o that_o in_o short_a there_o be_v no_o nation_n nor_o church_n throughout_o the_o whole_a world_n that_o bear_v the_o name_n of_o christian_a the_o roman_a church_n only_o except_v that_o do_v full_o embrace_v and_o maintain_v the_o whole_a doctrine_n of_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n concern_v confession_n and_o yet_o according_a to_o their_o principle_n the_o whole_a be_v of_o equal_a necessity_n to_o be_v believe_v as_o any_o part_n of_o it_o
with_o what_o face_n then_o do_v they_o declare_v that_o this_o manner_n of_o confession_n always_o be_v and_o still_o be_v observe_v in_o the_o catholic_n that_o be_v in_o the_o whole_a christian_a church_n i_o have_v not_o time_n to_o show_v the_o great_a and_o manifold_a inconvenience_n and_o mischief_n of_o this_o practice_n how_o infinite_a a_o torture_n it_o be_v to_o the_o conscience_n of_o man_n by_o entangle_v they_o in_o endless_a doubt_n and_o scruple_n and_o how_o great_a a_o scandal_n it_o be_v to_o the_o christian_a profession_n in_o the_o lewd_a management_n of_o it_o by_o the_o priest_n be_v evident_a from_o the_o two_o bull_n of_o pope_n pius_n the_o iv_o and_o gregory_n xv._o which_o mention_n thing_n too_o shameful_a to_o be_v declare_v not_o to_o insist_v upon_o other_o horrible_a abuse_n of_o it_o to_o the_o vile_a and_o wicked_a purpose_n not_o so_o much_o to_o direct_v the_o conscience_n of_o man_n as_o to_o dive_v into_o their_o secret_n of_o which_o there_o be_v so_o many_o plain_a and_o notorious_a instance_n that_o they_o be_v past_a denial_n the_o other_o thing_n pretend_v for_o it_o be_v that_o it_o be_v a_o great_a restraint_n upon_o man_n from_o sin_n and_o very_o probable_o it_o be_v so_o to_o modest_a and_o well_o dispose_v person_n but_o experience_n show_v how_o quite_o contrary_a a_o effect_n it_o have_v upon_o other_o who_o be_v the_o far_o great_a part_n of_o mankind_n do_v not_o all_o the_o world_n see_v in_o the_o popish_a country_n in_o the_o time_n of_o their_o carnival_n just_a before_o lent_n the_o anniversary_n season_n of_o confession_n how_o scandalous_a a_o liberty_n man_n take_v of_o do_v lewd_a and_o wicked_a thing_n and_o that_o for_o this_o very_a reason_n because_o their_o conscience_n be_v present_o to_o be_v ease_v and_o scour_v as_o they_o call_v it_o by_o confession_n and_o absolution_n and_o they_o therefore_o take_v the_o opportunity_n to_o gratify_v their_o lust_n and_o fill_v up_o the_o measure_n of_o their_o iniquity_n at_o that_o time_n because_o with_o one_o labour_n they_o can_v set_v their_o conscience_n right_a and_o clear_v they_o of_o all_o guilt_n and_o they_o look_v upon_o this_o as_o a_o special_a piece_n of_o spiritual_a good_a husbandry_n to_o quit_v their_o score_n with_o god_n at_o once_o that_o so_o they_o may_v have_v no_o occasion_n to_o trouble_v he_o nor_o the_o priest_n nor_o themselves_o again_o for_o a_o good_a while_n after_o so_o that_o confession_n instead_o of_o be_v a_o restraint_n from_o sin_n give_v great_a encouragement_n to_o it_o by_o delude_a man_n into_o a_o vain_a hope_n of_o obtain_v the_o pardon_n of_o their_o sin_n from_o time_n to_o time_n though_o they_o still_o continue_v in_o the_o practice_n of_o they_o by_o which_o device_n man_n sin_n be_v at_o once_o remit_v and_o retain_v the_o priest_n remit_v they_o by_o absolution_n and_o the_o penitent_a retain_v they_o by_o go_v on_o still_o in_o the_o commission_n of_o they_o in_o hope_n of_o obtain_v a_o new_a absolution_n as_o often_o as_o occasion_n shall_v require_v i_o proceed_v to_o the_o ii_o enquiry_n namely_o how_o far_o the_o disclose_v and_o reveal_v our_o sin_n to_o the_o minister_n of_o god_n may_v be_v convenient_a upon_o other_o account_n and_o to_o other_o purpose_n of_o religion_n to_o which_o the_o answer_n be_v very_o plain_a and_o short_a so_o far_o as_o be_v necessary_a either_o to_o the_o direction_n or_o the_o ease_n of_o man_n conscience_n there_o be_v many_o case_n wherein_o man_n under_o the_o guilt_n and_o trouble_n of_o their_o sin_n can_v neither_o appease_v their_o own_o mind_n nor_o sufficient_o direct_v themselves_o without_o recourse_n to_o some_o pious_a and_o prudent_a guide_n in_o these_o case_n man_n certain_o do_v very_o well_o and_o many_o time_n prevent_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o trouble_n and_o perplexity_n to_o themselves_o by_o a_o timely_a discovery_n of_o their_o condition_n to_o some_o faithful_a minister_n in_o order_n to_o their_o direction_n and_o satisfaction_n without_o which_o they_o shall_v never_o perhaps_o be_v able_a to_o clear_v themselves_o of_o the_o obscurity_n and_o entanglement_n of_o their_o own_o mind_n but_o by_o smother_a their_o trouble_n in_o their_o own_o breast_n shall_v proceed_v from_o one_o degree_n of_o melancholy_a to_o another_o till_o at_o last_o they_o be_v plunge_v either_o in_o distraction_n or_o despair_n whereas_o the_o discovery_n of_o their_o condition_n in_o time_n will_v prove_v a_o present_a and_o effectual_a remedy_n and_o to_o this_o purpose_n a_o general_a confession_n be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n sufficient_a and_o where_o there_o be_v occasion_n for_o a_o more_o particular_a discovery_n there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o rake_v into_o the_o particular_a and_o foul_a circumstance_n of_o man_n sin_n to_o give_v that_o advice_n which_o be_v necessary_a for_o the_o cure_n and_o ease_v of_o the_o penitent_a a_o thing_n so_o far_o from_o be_v desirable_a that_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v very_o grievous_a to_o every_o modest_a and_o good_a man_n and_o thus_o far_o confession_n be_v not_o only_o allow_v but_o encourage_v among_o protestant_n in_o the_o lutheran_n church_n chemnitius_n tell_v we_o that_o private_a geneneral_a confession_n be_v in_o use_n and_o practice_n and_o calvin_n free_o declare_v that_o he_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v against_o people_n repair_v to_o their_o pastor_n to_o this_o purpose_n that_o he_o earnest_o wish_v it_o be_v every_o where_o observe_v before_o the_o receive_n of_o the_o sacrament_n and_o the_o same_o be_v the_o sense_n of_o our_o own_o church_n lay_v no_o necessity_n upon_o man_n in_o this_o matter_n but_o advise_v especial_o before_o the_o sasacrament_n those_o who_o have_v any_o trouble_n upon_o their_o conscience_n to_o repair_v to_o some_o discreet_a and_o faithful_a minister_n of_o god_n word_n for_o advice_n and_o satisfaction_n and_o thus_o all_o the_o good_a use_n which_o can_v be_v make_v of_o confession_n may_v be_v have_v in_o our_o church_n without_o the_o ill_a effect_n and_o consequence_n of_o the_o romish_a confession_n and_o without_o lay_v a_o yoke_n upon_o the_o conscience_n of_o man_n which_o our_o saviour_n never_o lay_v and_o now_o i_o have_v as_o brief_o and_o as_o plain_o as_o i_o can_v state_v this_o controversy_n between_o we_o and_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n concern_v the_o necessity_n and_o use_n of_o secret_a confession_n to_o the_o minister_n of_o god_n as_o the_o proper_a guide_n and_o director_n of_o our_o conscience_n but_o it_o be_v grant_v on_o all_o hand_n that_o confession_n of_o our_o sin_n to_o god_n be_v necessary_a and_o there_o be_v no_o doubt_n but_o it_o be_v here_o intend_a in_o the_o text_n viz._n a_o penitent_a acknowledgement_n of_o our_o sin_n the_o nature_n whereof_o i_o shall_v brief_o explain_v to_o you_o and_o it_o must_v not_o only_o be_v a_o general_a confession_n that_o we_o be_v sinner_n but_o there_o must_v be_v a_o particular_a acknowledgement_n of_o our_o sin_n to_o god_n so_o far_o as_o upon_o a_o particular_a discussion_n and_o examination_n of_o our_o conscience_n we_o can_v call_v they_o to_o remembrance_n especial_o our_o most_o heinous_a sin_n which_o our_o conscience_n will_v not_o suffer_v we_o to_o forget_v must_v be_v particular_o acknowledge_v with_o the_o several_a aggravation_n of_o they_o and_o this_o confession_n must_v be_v accompany_v with_o such_o a_o shame_n and_o sorrow_n for_o our_o sin_n as_o produce_v in_o we_o a_o sincere_a resolution_n to_o leave_v they_o and_o to_o betake_v ourselves_o to_o a_o better_a course_n these_o be_v the_o principal_a ingredient_n of_o a_o penitent_a confession_n 1._o there_o must_v be_v shame_n without_o which_o there_o be_v no_o hope_n of_o amendment_n confession_n always_o suppose_v conviction_n of_o a_o fault_n and_o he_o that_o be_v true_o convince_v that_o he_o have_v do_v amiss_o can_v but_o be_v ashamed_a of_o what_o he_o have_v do_v and_o thus_o the_o penitent_n in_o scripture_n be_v wont_a to_o make_v confession_n of_o their_o sin_n to_o god_n ezra_n 9.6_o o_o my_o god_n say_v he_o i_o be_o ashamed_a and_o blush_v to_o lift_v up_o my_o face_n to_o thou_o my_o god_n so_o jeremiah_n ch._n 3.25_o we_o lie_v down_o in_o our_o shame_n and_o our_o confusion_n cover_v we_o for_o we_o have_v sin_v against_o the_o lord_n and_o so_o likewise_o daniel_n ch._n 9.5_o we_o have_v sin_v and_o have_v commit_v iniquity_n and_o do_v wicked_o unto_o we_o belong_v confusion_n of_o face_n and_o thus_o our_o saviour_n describe_v the_o penitent_a behaviour_n of_o the_o publican_n as_o ashamed_a to_o look_v up_o to_o that_o god_n who_o he_o have_v offend_v luke_n 18.13_o he_o will_v not_o lift_v up_o so_o much_o as_o his_o eye_n to_o heaven_n but_o smite_v upon_o his_o breast_n say_v god_n be_v merciful_a to_o i_o a_o sinner_n 2._o confession_n must_v be_v always_o
the_o efficacy_n of_o it_o in_o conjunction_n with_o our_o repentance_n and_o fast_v and_o prayer_n i_o shall_v only_o offer_v to_o your_o consideration_n a_o few_o plain_a text_n of_o scripture_n which_o need_v no_o comment_n upon_o they_o dan._n 4.27_o it_o be_v the_o prophet_n advice_n to_o nabuchadnezzar_n break_v off_o thy_o sin_n by_o righteousness_n and_o thy_o iniquity_n by_o show_v mercy_n to_o the_o poor_a if_o so_o be_v it_o may_v be_v a_o lengthen_v of_o thy_o tranquillity_n act_n 10.4_o the_o angel_n there_o tell_v cornelius_n thy_o prayer_n and_o thy_o alm_n be_v come_v up_o for_o a_o memorial_n before_o god_n isa_n 58.5_o be_v not_o this_o the_o fast_n which_o i_o have_v choose_v to_o loose_v the_o band_n of_o wickedness_n to_o undo_v the_o heavy_a burden_n and_o to_o let_v the_o oppress_v go_v free_a and_o that_o you_o break_v every_o yoke_n be_v it_o not_o to_o deal_v thy_o bread_n to_o the_o hungry_a and_o that_o thou_o bring_v the_o poor_a that_o be_v cast_v out_o to_o thy_o house_n when_o thou_o see_v the_o naked_a that_o thou_o cover_v he_o and_o that_o thou_o hide_v not_o thyself_o from_o thy_o own_o flesh_n then_o shall_v thy_o light_n break_v forth_o as_o the_o morning_n and_o thy_o health_n shall_v spring_v forth_o speedy_o and_o thy_o righteousness_n shall_v go_v before_o thou_o and_o the_o glory_n of_o the_o lord_n shall_v be_v thy_o rearward_n then_o shall_v thou_o call_v and_o the_o lord_n shall_v answer_v thou_o thou_o shall_v cry_v and_o he_o shall_v say_v here_o i_o be_o to_o which_o i_o will_v only_o add_v that_o gracious_a promise_n of_o our_o saviour_n blessed_n be_v the_o merciful_a for_o they_o shall_v find_v mercy_n and_o that_o terrible_a sentence_n in_o st._n james_n he_o shall_v have_v judgement_n without_o mercy_n that_o have_v show_v no_o mercy_n sermon_n iii_o 3_o serm._n 3_o of_o confession_n and_o sorrow_n for_o sin_n psal._n xxxviii_o 18_o i_o will_v declare_v my_o iniquity_n and_o be_v sorry_a for_o my_o sin_n in_o this_o psalm_n david_n do_v earnest_o beg_v mercy_n and_o forgiveness_n of_o god_n and_o in_o order_n to_o the_o obtain_n of_o it_o he_o declare_v both_o his_o sin_n and_o his_o repentance_n for_o they_o in_o these_o word_n which_o contain_v in_o they_o two_o of_o the_o necessary_a ingredient_n or_o at_o least_o concomitant_n of_o a_o true_a repentance_n viz._n confession_n of_o sin_n and_o sorrow_n for_o it_o 8._o vol._n 8._o i_o shall_v speak_v something_o of_o the_o first_o of_o these_o viz._n confession_n of_o sin_n but_o the_o second_o viz._n sorrow_n for_o sin_n shall_v be_v the_o main_a subject_n of_o my_o discourse_n i._o confession_n of_o sin_n i_o will_v declare_v my_o iniquity_n or_o as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o old_a translation_n i_o will_v confess_v my_o wickedness_n of_o which_o i_o shall_v speak_v under_o these_o three_o head_n i._o what_o confession_n of_o sin_n be_v ii_o how_o far_o it_o be_v necessary_a iii_o what_o be_v the_o reason_n and_o ground_n of_o this_o necessity_n i._o what_o confession_n of_o sin_n be_v it_o be_v a_o declaration_n or_o acknowledgement_n of_o some_o moral_a evil_n or_o fault_n to_o another_o which_o we_o be_v conscious_a to_o ourselves_o we_o have_v be_v guilty_a of_o and_o this_o acknowledgement_n may_v be_v make_v by_o we_o either_o to_o god_n or_o man._n the_o scripture_n mention_n both_o confession_n of_o our_o sin_n to_o god_n be_v very_o frequent_o mention_v in_o scripture_n as_o the_o first_o and_o necessary_a part_n of_o repentance_n and_o sometime_o and_o in_o some_o case_n confession_n to_o man_n be_v not_o only_o recommend_v but_o enjoin_v ii_o how_o far_o confession_n of_o our_o sin_n be_v necessary_a that_o it_o be_v necessary_a to_o confess_v our_o sin_n to_o god_n the_o scripture_n plain_o declare_v and_o be_v i_o think_v a_o matter_n out_o of_o all_o dispute_n for_o it_o be_v a_o necessary_a part_n of_o repentance_n that_o we_o shall_v confess_v our_o sin_n to_o god_n with_o a_o due_a sense_n of_o the_o evil_a of_o they_o and_o therefore_o the_o scripture_n make_v this_o a_o necessary_a qualification_n and_o condition_n of_o pardon_n and_o forgiveness_n prov._n 28.13_o whoso_o confess_v and_o forsake_v his_o sin_n shall_v have_v mercy_n 1_o john_n 1.9_o if_o we_o confess_v our_o sin_n he_o be_v faithful_a and_o just_a to_o forgive_v we_o our_o sin_n and_o to_o cleanse_v we_o from_o all_o unrighteousness_n imply_v that_o if_o we_o do_v not_o confess_v our_o sin_n to_o god_n the_o guilt_n of_o they_o will_v still_o remain_v to_o god_n i_o say_v for_o of_o confession_n to_o he_o st._n john_n plain_o speak_v when_o he_o say_v he_o be_v faithful_a and_o just_a who_o god_n sure_o who_o though_o he_o be_v not_o name_v before_o yet_o be_v necessary_o understand_v in_o the_o word_n before_o if_o we_o confess_v our_o sin_n i._n e._n to_o god_n he_o be_v faithful_a and_o just_a a_o general_a confession_n of_o our_o sin_n be_v absolute_o necessary_a and_o in_o some_o case_n a_o particular_a acknowledgement_n of_o they_o and_o repentance_n for_o they_o especial_o if_o the_o sin_n have_v be_v great_a and_o deliberate_a and_o presumptuous_a in_o this_o case_n a_o particular_a confession_n of_o they_o and_o repentance_n for_o they_o be_v necessary_a so_o far_o as_o we_o can_v particular_o recollect_v they_o and_o call_v they_o to_o remembrance_n whereas_o for_o sin_n of_o ignorance_n and_o infirmity_n of_o surprise_n and_o daily_a incursion_n for_o lesser_a omission_n and_o the_o defect_n and_o imperfection_n of_o our_o best_a action_n and_o service_n we_o have_v all_o the_o reason_n that_o can_v be_v to_o believe_v that_o god_n will_v accept_v of_o a_o general_a confession_n of_o they_o and_o repentance_n for_o they_o and_o if_o any_o man_n ask_v i_o where_o i_o find_v this_o distinction_n in_o scripture_n between_o a_o general_a and_o particular_a repentance_n i_o answer_v that_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a it_o shall_v be_v any_o where_o express_v in_o scripture_n be_v so_o clear_o found_v in_o the_o nature_n and_o reason_n of_o the_o thing_n because_o in_o many_o case_n it_o be_v not_o possible_a that_o we_o shall_v have_v a_o particular_a knowledge_n and_o remembrance_n of_o all_o our_o particular_a sin_n as_o be_v plain_a in_o sin_n of_o ignorance_n since_o our_o very_a call_v they_o by_o that_o name_n do_v necessary_o suppose_v that_o we_o do_v not_o know_v they_o it_o be_v impossible_a we_o shall_v remember_v those_o sin_n afterward_o which_o we_o do_v not_o know_v when_o they_o be_v commit_v and_o therefore_o either_o a_o general_a repentance_n for_o these_o and_o the_o other_o sin_v i_o mention_v of_o the_o like_a nature_n must_v be_v sufficient_a in_o order_n to_o the_o pardon_n of_o they_o or_o we_o must_v say_v that_o they_o be_v unpardonable_a which_o will_v be_v very_o unreasonable_a because_o this_o will_v be_v to_o make_v lesser_a sin_n more_o unpardonable_a than_o those_o which_o be_v far_o great_a and_o yet_o though_o this_o difference_n between_o a_o general_a and_o particular_a repentance_n be_v no_o where_o express_o mention_v in_o scripture_n there_o do_v not_o want_v foundation_n for_o it_o there_o psal_n 19.12_o who_o can_v understand_v his_o error_n cleanse_v thou_o i_o from_o secret_a sin_n i._n e._n such_o as_o we_o do_v not_o discern_v and_o take_v notice_n of_o when_o they_o be_v commit_v and_o yet_o david_n suppose_v that_o upon_o a_o general_a acknowledgement_n of_o they_o and_o repentance_n for_o they_o we_o may_v be_v cleanse_v from_o they_o though_o we_o can_v make_v a_o particular_a acknowledgement_n of_o they_o and_o exercise_v a_o particular_a repentance_n for_o they_o because_o they_o be_v secret_a and_o we_o do_v not_o particular_o understand_v what_o they_o be_v as_o for_o our_o confess_v our_o sin_n to_o man_n both_o scripture_n and_o reason_n do_v in_o some_o case_n recommend_v and_o enjoin_v it_o as_o 1._o in_o order_n to_o the_o obtain_n of_o the_o prayer_n of_o good_a man_n for_o we_o james_n 5.16_o confess_v your_o sin_n one_o to_o another_o he_o say_v before_o the_o prayer_n of_o faith_n shall_v save_v the_o sick_a and_o the_o lord_n shall_v raise_v he_o up_o this_o in_o all_o probability_n be_v mean_v of_o the_o miraculous_a power_n of_o prayer_n which_o st._n chrysostom_n reckon_v among_o the_o miraculous_a gift_n of_o the_o spirit_n bestow_v upon_o christian_n in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o church_n and_o this_o be_v very_o much_o countenance_v and_o confirm_v by_o what_o present_o follow_v after_o this_o command_n of_o confess_v our_o sin_n one_o to_o another_o and_o pray_v one_o for_o another_o and_o give_v as_o the_o reason_n of_o it_o for_o the_o effectual_a fervent_a prayer_n of_o a_o righteous_a man_n avail_v much_o the_o original_a be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o inspire_a prayer_n which_o in_o the_o verse_n