The Confession

The capital letters indicate that this was to be, as it were, dictated

to the people, sentence by sentence: and the Rubric implies the same.

It will be remembered that books were scarce when this Rubric was

prepared. Literal obedience to it is often very impressive, and a real

addition to the solemnity of the act. On ordinary occasions in some

Churches, the Minister leads the Confession without the formal

separation f each clause from the next.



The expressions, used here to acknowledge the wickedness of sin and the

defects of human life, will seem to be excessive whenever we are making

light of {31} our faults. But in proportion as we realise the

perfection of God's holiness, we shall find them suitable to every

shade of defect and sin.



The comprehensive humility of this Confession is designed to include

both modified faults and grave offences--whether by commission,

omission or indolence. The full acknowledgment of the different forms

of sin is followed by prayer for mercy and recovery, relying upon the

promises declared in Jesus Christ.