CHAPTER XXXIV: Cases and Directions about Self-judging
pardon for renewed sins; for prayer is God's appointed means, and included in faith and repentance, which are the summary conditions.
Direct. VII. 'Set all right between you and your neighbours,' by forgiving others, and being reconciled to them, and confessing your injuries against them, and making them restitution and satisfaction; for this also is included in your repentance, and expressly made the condition of your pardon.
Direct. VIII. 'Despise not the sacramental delivery of pardon, by the ministers of Christ;' for this belongeth to the full investiture and possession of the benefit: nor yet the spiritual consolation of a skilful, faithful pastor, nor public absolution upon public repentance, if you should fall under the need of such a remedy.
Direct. IX. 'Sin no more.' I mean, resolvedly break off all that wilful sin of which you do repent: for repentings, and purposes, and promises of a new and holy life, which are ineffectual, will never prove the pardon of your sins; but shew your repentance to be deceitful.
Direct. X. 'Set yourselves faithfully to the use of all those holy means, which God hath appointed for the over-coming of your sins; and to that life of holiness, righteousness, love and sobriety, which is contrary to them.' Otherwise, your repentance is fraudulent and insufficient: these means and no less than all these, must be used by him; that will make sure of the pardon of his sins from God: and he that thinketh all this too much, must look for pardon some other way, than from the mercy of God, or the grace of Christ: for God's pardon is not to be had upon any other terms, than those of God's appointment. He that will make new conditions of his own, must pardon himself if he can, on those conditions: for God will not be tied to the laws of sinners.
CHAPTER XXXIV