Paragraph 15.6
Of the Westminster Confession of Faith (1646)
As every man is bound to make private confession of his sins to God, praying for the pardon thereof;1 upon which, and the forsaking of them, he shall find mercy:2 so, he that scandalizes his Brother, or the Church of Christ, ought to be willing by a private or public confession, and sorrow for his sin, to declare his repentance to those that are offended,3 who are thereupon to be reconciled to him, and in love to receive him.4
The 1689 Baptist Confession
15.1
Such of the Elect as are converted at riper Years, having sometimes lived in the state of Nature, and therein served various Lusts and Pleasures, God in their Effectual Calling gives them Repentance unto Life.1
15.2
Whereas there is none that does good, and sins not, and the best of Men may, through the power and deceitfulness of their Corruption dwelling in them, with the prevalency of Temptation, fall into greater Sins, and Provocations, God has in the Covenant of Grace, mercifully provided that Believers so sinning, and falling,1 be renewed through Repentance unto Salvation.2
15.3
This Saving Repentance is an Evangelical Grace, whereby a Person, being by the Holy Spirit made sensible of the manifold Evils of his Sin, does, by Faith in Christ, humble himself for it, with Godly Sorrow, detestation of it, and self-abhorrency;1 praying for pardon, and strength of Grace, with a purpose, and endeavor by supplies of the Spirit, to2 walk before God unto all well pleasing in all things.3
15.4
As Repentance is to be continued through the whole course of our Lives, upon the account of the body of Death, and the Motions thereof; so it is every Man’s Duty, to repent of his particular known Sins, particularly.1
15.5
Such is the provision which God has made through Christ in the Covenant of Grace, for the preservation of Believers unto Salvation, that although there is no Sin so small, but it deserves damnation; yet there is no Sin so great, that it shall bring Damnation on them that1 repent; which makes the constant preaching of Repentance necessary.2