A child of God who sins is entitled to believe that he is forgiven on confession to his father. If he doubts, it is not humility or holiness, but distrust of God in Christ. Probably he is looking for some sign or token; but God will never give this, for it would encourage a soul to undervalue his word
The word is the expression outwardly of what God feels inwardly; and therefore as he puts the highest honor on it, so should we.