Reformed Covenanter
Cancelled Commissioner
Of our present righteousness, notwithstanding sin remain in our mortal bodies, are we assured by the faithful witness of Jesus Christ, John the Apostle, saying, “If we confess our sins, faithful and just is God to remit and forgive our sins.” Mark the words of the apostle; if we confess our sins, God must forgive them, because be is faithful and just.
To confession of sins are these things requisite: first, we must acknowledge the sin; and it is to be noted that sometimes God’s very elect, albeit they have sinned most heinously, do not acknowledge sin, and therefore cannot at all times confess the same; for sin is not known until such time as the veil be taken from the conscience of the offender, that he may see and behold the filthiness of sin, what punishment by God’s just judgments is due for the same, and then (which is the second thing requisite to confession) begins the hatred of sin, and of ourselves for contemning of God and of his holy law, — whereof last springs that which we call hope of mercy, which is nothing else than you sob from a troubled heart, confounded and ashamed for sin, thirsting for remission and God’s free mercy, whereupon of necessity must follow this conclusion, God has remitted and freely forgiven the sin; and why? for “he is faithful and just,” saith the apostle. ...
For more, see John Knox: God is faithful and just in forgiving our sin.
To confession of sins are these things requisite: first, we must acknowledge the sin; and it is to be noted that sometimes God’s very elect, albeit they have sinned most heinously, do not acknowledge sin, and therefore cannot at all times confess the same; for sin is not known until such time as the veil be taken from the conscience of the offender, that he may see and behold the filthiness of sin, what punishment by God’s just judgments is due for the same, and then (which is the second thing requisite to confession) begins the hatred of sin, and of ourselves for contemning of God and of his holy law, — whereof last springs that which we call hope of mercy, which is nothing else than you sob from a troubled heart, confounded and ashamed for sin, thirsting for remission and God’s free mercy, whereupon of necessity must follow this conclusion, God has remitted and freely forgiven the sin; and why? for “he is faithful and just,” saith the apostle. ...
For more, see John Knox: God is faithful and just in forgiving our sin.
