WCF 15.6

15.6. Of Repentance unto Life

As every man is bound to make private confession of his sins to God, praying for the pardon thereof; upon which, and the forsaking of them, he shall find mercy: so, he that scandalizeth 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, who are thereupon to be reconciled to him, and in love to receive him.

Proof texts

• Ps. 51:4, 5, 7, 9, 14 — [4] Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. [5] Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. [7] Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. [9] Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. [14] Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.
• Ps. 32:5, 6 — [5] I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. <i>Selah</i> [6] Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him.
• Prov. 28:13 — [13] Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
• 1 John 1:9 — [9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
• James 5:16 — [16] Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
• Luke 17:3, 4 — [3] Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, [4] and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”
• Joshua 7:19 — [19] Then Joshua said to Achan, “My son, give glory to the LORD God of Israel and give praise to him. And tell me now what you have done; do not hide it from me.”
• Ps. 51 throughout
• 2 Cor. 2:8 — [8] So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him.

For discussion

1. The Assembly cited Ps. 51:4, 5, 7, 9, 14 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
2. 9 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
3. WSC Q85 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
4. WSC Q86 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WSC Q85 · WSC Q86 · WSC Q87 · BC 6.3 · BC 6.4 · BC 6.5 · HC Q86 · 1689 15.1 · 1689 15.2 · 1689 15.3 · 1689 15.4 · 1689 15.5 · SD 15.1 · SD 15.2 · SD 15.3 · SD 15.4 · SD 15.5 · IAR 5.6 · SC60 5.1 · SC60 5.2 · SC60 5.3 · SC60 5.4 · SHC 5.1 · SHC 5.2 · SHC 5.3