He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and
forsaketh them shall have mercy." Proverbs 28:13.
The conditions of obtaining mercy of God are simple and just and reasonable.
The Lord does not require us to do some grievous thing in order that we may
have the forgiveness of sin. We need not make long and wearisome
pilgrimages, or perform painful penances, to commend our souls to the God of
heaven or to expiate our transgression; but he that confesseth and forsaketh
his sin shall have mercy.

The apostle says, "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for
another, that ye may be healed." James 5:16. Confess your sins to God, who
only can forgive them, and your faults to one another. If you have given
offense to your friend or neighbor, you are to acknowledge your wrong, and
it is his duty freely to forgive you. Then you are to seek the forgiveness
of God, because the brother you have wounded is the property of God, and in
injuring him you sinned against his Creator and Redeemer. The case is
brought before the only true Mediator, our great High Priest, who "was in
all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin," and who is "touched
with the feeling of our infirmities," and is able to cleanse from every
stain of iniquity. Hebrews 4:15.