Q. But how shall I know when I have found by the Scriptures the true knowledge of God?—A. When thou hast also found the true knowledge of thyself (Isa 6:5; Job 42:5).
Q. What is it for me to know myself?—A. Then thou knowest thyself, when thou art in thine own eyes, a loathsome, polluted, wretched, miserable sinner; and that not anything done by thee, can pacify God unto thee (Job 42:5; Eze 20:43,44; Rom 7:24).[11]
Of Confession of Sin.
Q. You have shewed me, if I will indeed worship God, I must first know him aright, now then to the question in hand, pray how must I worship him?—A. In confessing unto him (Neh 9:1-3).
Q. What must I confess?—A. Thou must confess thy transgressions unto the Lord (Psa 32:5).
Q. Was this the way of the godly of old?—A. Yes; Nehemiah confessed his sins (Neh 1:6). David confessed his sins (Psa 32:5). Daniel confessed his sins (Dan 9:4). And they that were baptized by John in Jordan confessed their sins (Matt 3:6).
Q. What sins must I confess to God?—A. All sins whatsoever: for 'He that covereth his sins shall not prosper, but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy' (Prov 28:13; 1 John 1:9).
Q. But how if I do neither know nor remember all my sins?—A. Thou must then search and try thy ways by the holy Word of God (Lam 3:40; Psa 77:6).
Q. But how if I do not make this search after my sins?—A. If thou dost not, God will; if thou dost not search them out and confess them, God will search them out and charge them upon thee, and tear thee in pieces for them (Psa 50:21,22).
Q. Where must I begin to confess my sins?—A. Where God beginneth to shew thee them. Observe, then, where God beginneth with conviction for sin, and there begin thou with confession of it. Thus David began to confess, thus Daniel began to confess (2 Sam 12:7-14; Dan 9:3-9).