THus much briefly concerning the Matter and Method to be observed in our Confession.
That which should succeed next unto it, is Petition. But for the better connexion of these two ‘tis requisite that they be joyned together by some fitting Transition. The most natural materials for which, may be referred unto some of these heads.
- A profession of our shame and sorrow in the consideration of our many sins, and the punishments due unto them. (Eze. 36.31) A readinesse to loath our selves for our abominations. To judge and condemne our selves, that we may not be condemned of the Lord. A willingnesse to set our sins ever before us, as considering that though the acts of them be past, yet the guilt, and the danger may be present; and that there may be many now in hell, who have not been so great sinners as we. Of this kinde is that speech of Ezra: O my God, I am ashamed, (Ezra. 9.6) and blush to lift up my face to thee. And Job: I abhorre my self, (Job 42.6) and repent in dust and ashes. And Daniel: O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, (Dan. 9.8) because we have sinned against thee.
2 An expression of our desire to fly utterly out of our selves, to renounce all our own righteousnesse; How should man be just with God? if he should contend with us, (Job 9.2, 3) we could not answer for one of a thousand. If thou shouldst be extreame to mark what is done amisse, (Ps. 130.3, 4) O Lord, who may abide it? but there is mercy and forgivenesse with thee that thou mayest be feared, thou knowest our frame, and considerest that we are but dust; (Psal. 103.4) frail, infirme creatures, and therefore thou dost not expect perfection from us; if we could have no sin, we should have no need of a Redeemer, we are of our selves altogether impotent, and unclean, and our righteousnesse as filthy rags. (Isa. 64.6)
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A promise of amendment for the future; Renuing our Covenant with God by fresh resolutions of astrict and holy conversation;1 Professing our desire to fear his name, and to be engaged to him, by an everlasting Covenant, never to depart from him again. O that my wayes were so directed, (Psal. 119.5) that I might keep thy Commandments alwayes! O that thou would’st inable us to repent and be converted; that our sins may be bletted out, (Acts 3.19) when the times of refreshing shall come! It is the desire of our soules to walk more holily and humbly before thee for the future; to keep a stricter watch over our own hearts and wayes.
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A brief application unto our selves of such mercies and promises, as belong to those that believe and repent. Though we have not expressed the dutiful affections of children, yet God cannot renounce the tender compassions of a Father; and if earthly Parents can give good things to their children, will not he be much more ready to be gracious to his? With the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.2 And we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, who is the propitiation for our sins. He hath promised to hear, and grant the requests, that are put up in faith; that he will have respect to those of an humble and contrite heart; that those who do not hide their sins, but confesse and forsake them, shall finde mercy;3 That he delighteth not in the death of a sinner, but rather that he should be converted, and live. (Ps. 51.17) That the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart he will not despise. And now, O Lord, thou art that God, and thy words be true, (2 Sam. 7.28) and thou hast promised such mercies unto thy servants; therefore now let it be unto us according to thy word. We desire to lay hold on that word of promise, that thou wilt heal our backslidings,4 and love us freely; that thou wilt not turn away from us, to do us gond; but wilt put thy fear into our hearts, (Jer. 32.40) that we shall not depart from thee. O think upon thy servants, as concerning this word of thine,5 wherein thou hast caused us to put our trust! Truly our hope is even in thee. ‘Tis the desire of our souls to seek after thee, and to come unto thee, and thou never failest them that seek thee: Of those that come unto thee, thou puttest away none.6 O be pleased to establish this word of thine unto thy servants, and let them not be disappointed of their hope!
Though the wages of sin be death, yet this is our comfort, that the gift of God is eternall life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
The Scripture is very copious in other pertinent expressions for each of these heads, and to some of these the most proper matter for Transition is reducible.
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