New Directory for Public Worship (8)

CONFESSION OF SINS

Editor’s Comments: The conclusion of the appendix from The Confession of Sins in "Hermann's Consultation," ed. 1545, on the absolution of sins.  Again, I have modernised where possible and changed bible quotes to the ESV.

Comfortable Words.

Hear the Gospel from John 3:16.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Or from 1 Tim. 1:15.

The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…

Or from John 3:35,36.

The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life…

Or from Acts 10:43.

To Christ all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

Or from 1 John 2:1,2.

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins.

When the pastor shall have proclaimed one of these Gospel words to the people, he shall add :

Seeing that our blessed Lord has left this power to His Church that she should absolve from their sins, and restore to the grace of our heavenly Father, all those who repent of their sins, and truly believe in Christ our Lord ; I, as a minister of Christ and of His Church, do now declare to all present here whose sins are grievous [distressing] to them, and who truly believe in Christ our Lord, and desire to follow Him as His disciples, the forgiveness of all their sins, the grace of God, and life everlasting, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Editor: I intend to take up this issue of the authoritative declaration of forgiveness of sin, (absolution), in Reformed worship in a later blog.