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1. The time of affliction requireth a special kind of showing our repentance both more fervent and with longer continuance than ordinary.

(1) Because God therefore afflicteth us, that we may be brought to a more thorough repentance.

(2) God's anger against us for our sins is manifested unto us by afflictions; which must be turned away by our unfeigned repentance, or we shall be consumed.

(3) God hath usually brought His people to such special declaration of repentance, and blessed them therein (1 Samuel 7:5, 6; Nehemiah 1:2; Esther 4:16).

2. It is necessary for God's people to begin their prayers to God with a free confession of their sins (Psalm 32:5; Daniel 9:5; Nehemiah 1:6).

(1) Else we obtain no forgiveness.

(2) Else we have no assurance that we have repented.

(3) Otherwise, we cannot rightly and thoroughly condemn ourselves, and clear the Lord for punishing us.

(4) By the confession of our sins we are the more humbled, and prepared the better to prayer.

3. It furthereth to thorough repentance that God's people do in their prayers adjoin to their confession of sins a recital of the judgments that are upon them for the same.

4. Every child of God is justly punished that faileth in any duty whatsoever it be, that God hath commanded him in His Word.

5. It is rebellion against the Lord to despite any of His laws, though all human laws should approve us therein.

6. No excuse or privilege can shield any man from God's plagues for sin.

(J. Udall.)

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KJV: We have transgressed and have rebelled: thou hast not pardoned.

WEB: We have transgressed and have rebelled; you have not pardoned.