Puritan Wisdom

"Ministers cannot remit sin authoritatively and effectually, but only declaratively. They have a special office and authority to apply the promises of pardon to broken hearts. When a minister sees one humbled for sin, but afraid God has not pardoned him, and is ready to be swallowed up of sorrow; for the easing of this man's conscience, he may, in the name of Christ, declare to him, that he is pardoned. He does not forgive of his own authority, but as a herald in Christ's name, pronounces a man’s pardon." -- Thomas Watson, 216.