CLII lectures vpon Psalme LI preached at Ashby-Delazouch in Leicester-shire / by that late faithfull and worthy minister of Iesus Christ, Mr. Arthur Hildersam.

Lecture XXXIIII. on Psalme 51.3. Sept. 5. 1626

IT followeth now, that wee come to the second kind of confession that hath bin commended unto us in this example of David, he made publike confes∣sion of his sin to the congregation, and church of God. For we see in the title of this Psalme, 1. that he committed this Psalme (that containeth the acknow∣ledgement of his sin, and profession of his repentance) to the chiefe musician to bee published in the Sanctuary and Temple. 2. That in this publication of his repentance, he hideth not from the Church his sinne, nor cloaketh it at all, but expresseth in particular the speciall sin, that hee had beene so troubled for, when hee made this Psalme, hee made it when Nathan the Prophet came unto him, after hee had gone in to Baths••eba. 3. He maketh this publi∣cation of his sin, and repentance, not to the Church, that then was onely (though first and chiefly to that) but to that, that should come after him, and committeth it therefore to the chiefe Musitian, to bee kept in the Temple as a monument of his repentance, for the use of the Church, to the end of the World.

* 1.1And why did David this, may you say? Why was he being so great a King, so carelesse of his honour, and reputation among his subjects?

* 1.2I answer. First. His sinne was become publike, and notorious, for beeing a King, the eyes of all Israel were upon him, as it is said in another sense, 1. Kings 1.20. That which our Saviour saith of Ministers, Matth. 5.14. may be also said of Magistrates, and all men in eminency, they are as Cities set upon an hill, their actions cannot bee hid, or concealed. Be∣sides, it is expressely sayd by Nathan, that the enemies of God tooke notice of these sinns of his▪ and blasphemed God for them▪ 2 Sam. 12.14.

* 1.3Secondly. He had offended, and wronged the whole Chruch by his sin, and that two wayes.

[ 1] First, By giving so great cause of griefe unto them, through the scan∣dall his sinne had given to the enemies of God, and the dishonour God re∣ceived by it. Nothing grieveth a godly man more. The reproaches of them that reproached thee, are fallen upon mee, saith the Prophet, Psalme 69.9. Secondly, By endangering the whole Church of God, and making it obnoxious to the wrath of God through his sinne. For the Lord hath oft for the sinne of one member, plagued even whole Churches and congre∣gations. Thus speaketh Phinehas to the two Tribes and an halfe, Ioshuah 22.20. Did not Achan the son of Zerah commit a trespasse in the accursed thing, and wrath fell on all the congregation of the children of Israel, and that man peri∣shed not alone in his iniquity. Specially for the sinnes of a King, (as David was) God hath beene wont to plague a whole nation, and Kingdome, as is plaine in the example of David himselfe, whose one sinne in numbring of the people, was the death of seventy thousand of his Subjects, 2 Samuel ••4.15.

And in Ieremy 15.4. I will cause them to bee removed into all kingdomes of the earth; because of Manasseh the sonne of Hezekiah King of Iudah, for that which hee did in Ierusalem. See how just cause Gods people have to pray, not for∣mally onely, but heartily for their Kings and Princes. And this considerati∣on certainly wrought much upon David, when hee made this Psalme, and made him willing thus to publish his repentance, as appeareth by his pray∣er for the Church, verse 18. Doe good in thy good pleasure unto Sion, build up the walles of Ierusalem. As if hee had said, Lord, let not thy wrath fall upon Sion, let not Ierusalem fare the worse for my sinne. Hee fea∣red that the whole Church under his government, should smart for his sinne.

We have then from this example of David to learne.

That they,* 1.4 whose sins God hath detected, and brought to light, whose sins are pub∣like, and notorious scandalous, and offensive to the congregation where they live, ought to be willing to confesse their sins publikely, to make their repentance at pub∣like and notorious as their sin is.

Now before I come to the proofe of this point, three things must be premised to prevent the mistaking of it.

First. That this publike confession of sinne unto a congregation, though it carry shew of a farre greater measure of selfe-denyall, and mortification; then [ 1] the secret confession of our sins unto God doth; yet is it not so certaine a signe of unfained repentance, nor so availeable to the comfort of a sinners conscience, as that is. Of Iudas we reade, that hee attained unto this, that voluntarily (not dragged to it by any authority of man) hee did open penance, and made publike, and particular acknowledgement of his sin, Matth. 2••.3, 4. but hee never had the grace to goe to God in secret, and lay open his sins be∣fore him.

Secondly. This publike confession of sin to a congregation, is not of that abso∣lute [ 2] necessity, that secret confession unto God is. So that though we may boldly say, no man hath truly repented, nor can hope to find mercy with God, that con∣fesseth no•• his sins unto God. Prov. 28.13. Hee that covereth his sins shall not prosper; but who confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. Yet can we not say, but many a one whose sins have beene publike, and notorious to the congre∣gations where they have lived, have truly repented of these sins, and obtained assurance of the pardon of them, though they never made publike confession of them unto the Church. The sins of that woman of whom wee read, Luke. 7. were publike and notorious; all the towne where she lived, tooke notice what the lewdnes of her life had bin, as appeareth verse 37.39. and that woman cer∣tainly did repent, as appeareth by the teares that she (out of love to Christ) shed so aboundantly, verse 38. and she attained also to sound assurance of the pardon of her sins, for our Saviour giveth his word for that, verse 48. and verse 50. tel∣leth her, her faith had saved her, and biddeth her goe in peace. Yet we find not, that either she ever made publike confession to the congregation, or that our Sa∣viour enjoyned either her, or that woman taken in adultery, Iohn 8.11. or Za∣cheus Luke 19.9. or any other penitent sinner that he did convert, to goe and make this publike confession of their sins, which doubtlesse hee would have done, if this had bin of absolute necessity, and that without it, there could bee no true repentance, nor comfortable assurance gotten, of the pardon of such publike and notorious sins.

Thirdly. It is not fit and expedient, that any should make, or offer himselfe [ 3] to make this publike confession of his sinne in the congregation, that is not required to doe it, by the discipline of the Church. For all things in the Congregation should bee done decently, and in order, 1 Cor. 14.40. And there are masters of the assemblies appointed of God, Ecclesi. 12.11 according

to whose direction all things are to be ordered that are done in the publike as∣semblies, and not according to the spirit, and devotion of any private man. And this may seeme to be the reason why our Saviour enjoyned not this publike con∣fession unto those notorious sinners I told you of before, because through the ex∣treame corruption of those times, and neglect of the discipline of the Church, it was not required, but growne out of use in those dayes.

All this notwithstanding, the point I taught you, doth remaine a certaine and undoubted truth, that they whose sins are publike, and notorious, scandalous, and offensive unto the congregation, ought to be willing to confesse their sins publik∣ly, when they shall bee required to doe it by the discipline of the Church, (yea, I say more) they ought to desire that they may doe it, they should de∣sire to make their repentance as publike, and notorious, as their sinnes have beene.

* 1.5The truth of this will appeare, 1. By the practise of sundry of Gods servants. 2. By the reasons that moved them to do it, and upon which, this their practise was grounded.

And for the first, we have the example first of three publike persons, two great Kings and an Apostle, such as of all others were most bound to be tender of their reputation, and good name; such as because they were sub∣ject to no superiour power, that could enjoyne it unto them, tooke it upon themselves, and did voluntarily make publike acknowledgements of their sins to the Church of God. David was one of these Kings, whose example we have in this Psalme. And Solomon his son was another, who after hee had feare∣fully, and scandalously fallen, made the booke called Ecclesiastes, where∣in hee doth as publikely professe his repentance to the whole Church; as his father did in this Psalme. The Apostle that did thus, was blessed Paul, who doth oft take occasion publikely to confesse his sinne. This hee did before a great multiude, Acts 22.4. I persecuted this way unto death, bind∣ing, and delivering into prisons, both men, and women. Thus hee did againe in every solemne audience, before Festus and Agrippa, Actes 26.11. I punished them oft in every Synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange Cities. Thus hee did againe in that Epistle hee wrote unto the Corinthi∣ans, 1 Corinthians 15.9. I am not worthy to bee called an Apostle, be∣cause I persecuted the Church of God. And in that to Timothy, 1 Tim. 1.13.15. I was a blasphemer, and a persecutor, the chiefe of all sinners. You see he cared not. 1. How many witnesses he had of his confession, and repen∣tance. 2. Nor what manner of persons they were, great or small, good or bad, friends or enemies. 3. He thought he could never make this publike confession too often. 4. Nor that he could disgrace himselfe too much in it, or speake too odiously of his sin. And these are the three publike persons I told you of

Wee have also an example of a private person, which though it bee not of so great authority as the other three, yet it is in this respect, as fit as any of them, to give us direction in this case, because he made his publike profession of his repentance, being enjoyned to doe it by the authority of the Church, or ra∣ther by authority of the Apostle, who gave order to the Church in this case, by that Divine Commission, and warrant, hee had received from God. This man I speake of, was the incestuous person in Corinth, who being for his scandalous sin censured, & excommunicated by the Church according to that direction the Apostle gave. 1. Cor. 5.4. did give that satisfaction to the Church by the profession of his repentance, as the Apostle was faine to intreat them to forgive, and receive, and comfort him, as you may see, 2. Cor. 2.6.8.

* 1.6Now the reasons that have moved Gods people thus to publish their re∣pentance

even before men for their publike and scandalous sins, have bin princi∣pally three. They have done it 1. Out of a respect unto God. 2. Out of a respect unto themselves. 3. Out of a respect unto other men.

First. They have done this out of a respect unto God, and his glory, whom [ 1] by their sin they have dishonoured. This reason Ioshuah pressed Achan with, Ioshuah 7.19. when he perswaded him to make open confession of his sin, not onely to the Lord, but also to him, and to the whole congregation, My sonne, I pray thee give glory to the Lord God of Israel. For as by our sinnes wee dishonour God (specially by the sins committed in the Church, 2 Samuel 12 14.) and the more open, and notorious our sins are, the more wee disho∣nour him, Ezek. 24.7, 8. Shee hath set her blood (her bloudy sins) upon the top of a rocke, shee powred it not on the ground to cover it with dust; that it might cause fury to come up to take vengeance. So by our repentance wee doe ho∣nour and glorifie God. Phil. 1.11. All the fruits of righteousnesse, are by Iesus Christ, to the glory and prayse of God. And the more open, and no∣torious our repentance is, the more is God honoured by it, Matthew 5.16. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good workes, and glorifie your father which is in heaven. This consideration hath beene of great force, to make Gods people forward unto this duty, and hath armed them against the chiefe impediment that useth to hinder, and keepe men from it; that is to say, the carnall respect to their credit, and reputation among men. When Michal had told David, how hee had disgraced himselfe, by lea∣ping, and dauncing before the Arke, he answereth her, 2 Samuel 6.21, 22. It was before the Lord, and I will bee more vile then thus, and will bee base in mine owne sight; and of the maid-servants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I bee had in honour. Two parts there are of his answer. As if hee had said. 1. What tellest thou mee of disgracing my selfe, I did it in honour to God; and to gaine honour to him, I will bee willing to endure any disgrace among men. 2. I know well, that by disgracing my selfe in this kind, I shall loose no manner of credite or reputation at all; nay this is the only sure way, unto true honour, and reputation, even with men. For thus God hath bound himselfe by promise, 1 Samuel 2.30 Those that honour mee, I will honour. And Luke 14.11. Hee that humbleth himselfe, shall bee exalted. And that which our Saviour saith of our life, may bee sayd also of our credite, and good name. Matthew 16.25. Whosoever will save his credite, shall loose it, and whosoever will loose this credite for my sake, shall find it.

Secondly, Gods people have bin thus forward to publish their repentance [ 2] out of a respect they have had to themselves, and to their owne comfort, that so they might both have the better evidence to themselves, of the unfeined∣nesse of their repentance, and set it forward also, and further it by their willing∣nesse, to take shame upon themselves in this sort. So that the thing that keepeth other men from it, (I will not confesse my sinne to the congregation (saith hee) because I will not shame and disgrace my selfe) is a chiefe thing that draweth the true penitent to it, I will therefore confesse my sin to the congregation (saith hee) because I will take shame upon my selfe. For, 1. No man hath truly repented, that doth not judge himselfe worthy of shame and disgrace for his sinne. This is the voice of the true penitent Daniel 9.7. O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face; open shame. And againe, verse 8. O Lord to us belongeth confusion of face, to our Kings, to our Princes, and to our fathers, because wee have sinned against thee. And the Apostle maketh this a note of true repentance, 2 Cor. 7.11. when a man is willing to take revenge upon himselfe; which is no way better done, then by taking shame upon our selves in this sort. 2. This shame is not only a signe of true repentance, but a

a great helpe and furtherance to the increase of it. And therefore the Apostle speaking of the end he aimed at, in enjoyning that publike penance to the ince∣stuous person, saith, 1. Cor. 5.5 it was for the destruction of the flesh, (mortifying of his corruption) that the spirit might bee saved in the day of the Lord. And surely this respect to themselves, even to the peace and comfort of their owne consciences by testifying the truth of their repentance, and furthering it this way, hath mightily prevailed with many of Gods people, to draw them even to a voluntary confession of their sins, and profession of their repentance in pub∣like. This was it that drew Iohn Baptists hearers to it, Matthew 3.6. and Pauls at Ephesus. Acts 19.18. and in the time of the ten persecutions, so ma∣ny to publike confession, that the Church was faine to make a law to restraine them from it. They could not satisfie their consciences, unlesse they had done it, they found much peace in doing of it. And this peace of God passeth all understanding, as the Apostle speaketh. Phil. 4.7. and is such a jewell, as they that want it, will not stand upon termes of reputation, but will bee content to re∣deeme it with the losse of their reputation among men, or with enduring any disgrace can be put upon them in the world.

[ 3] Thirdly, and lastly. Gods people have beene willing to publish their repen∣tance thus, out of a respect they have had unto others. And their respect to the Church, they declare by it three wayes.

[ 1] First. In shewing their obedience to the Church, that hath enjoyned them this duty. Every member of the Church, though hee were never so great a man, is bound to submit himselfe unto the discipline of the Church, and to shew himselfe obedient unto it in all lawfull things. You know the comman∣dement, Hebr. 13.17. Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit your selves, for they watch for your soules; and Matt. 18.17. If he neglect to heare the Church, let him be to thee as an heathen man, and a Publican. Esteeme him no Christian, no member of Christs Church, that will not obey the Church in all lawfull things.

Secondly. In shewing their care to edifie others, by this their good example, [ 2] and to keepe them from sin. For this open shame that is done unto sin, hath great force to stay, and terrifie others from sinning in the like kind. Them that sin (saith the Apostle, 1 Tim. 5.20. he meaneth that sin scandalously, and to the of∣fence of others) rebuke before all, that others also may feare.

[ 3] Thirdly and lastly. In giving this way satisfaction to the Church for the wrong and offence they have done unto it. No man may say in this case, when his grosse sin is come to light, and become notorious, I have offended God by my sin, and to him I will confesse it, and humble my selfe; and abuse the words of the Prophet here, verse 4. Against thee, thee alone have I sinned, but as for the congregation, I have done them no wrong, nor no satisfaction will I give them. For by sins of this nature, not the Lord only, but the Church, and congregation wherein they are committed is wronged. For 1. they give all Gods people just cause of griefe and feare. Lots righteous soule was vexed from day to day, by the sins of the place he lived in. 2 Pet. 2.8. And the Apostle telleth the Corin∣thians. 1 Cor. 5.2. that they ought to have mourned for the sin of the incestuous person. And David complaineth Psal. 119.53. Horrour hath taken hold upon mee, because of the wicked that forsake thy law. 2. They are of a contagious, and infectious nature, and if they be not publikely repented of, they will increase unto more ungodlinesse, and spread over the whole body of the congregation, like a Gangreene. This the Apostle putteth the Church of Corinth in mind of, 1 Cor. 5.6. Know yea not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lumpe? And alas a wofull experience have we of the truth of this, both in this towne, and in many other places? 3. They put the whole congregation in danger of Gods wrath, and heavy judgements. Did not Achan the sonne of Zerah (saith

Phinehas. Iosh. 22.20.) commit a trespasse in the accursed thing, and wrath fell on all the congregation of the children of Israel, and that man perished not alone in his iniquitie? So that you see by these kind of sins, there is an offence and wrong done to the whole congregation, where they are committed. And when by our sins we have offended, and wronged men, it is not sufficient to confesse our sins unto God, and seeke reconciliation with him, but wee must endea∣vour to give satisfaction unto men whom wee have wronged. To God wee can make no satisfaction, to men whom we have offended, wee may, wee must make satisfaction, yea, without willingnesse, and desire to doe it, there is no hope of finding mercy with God. This is evident by those two Lawes, Levit. 6.5, 6. and Numbers. 5.6.8. where God plainly taught his people, that their trespasse offering which they brought to him to seeke par∣don of any sin, whereby they had wronged any man, should not be accepted, till they had first made satisfaction to the party to whom the wrong was done. And lest we should thinke those lawes concerned the Iewes only, our Saviour himselfe giveth this in charge, Matthew 5.23, 24. If thou bringest thy gift to the Altar, and there remembrest that thy brother hath ought against thee; leave there thy gift before the Altar, and goe thy way, first bee reconciled to thy bro∣ther, and then come and offer thy gift. And if there be such necessity of ma∣king satisfaction to any one brother, that hath ought against us before we can get assurance of our reconciliation with God, what necessity is there of making satisfaction to a whole Church and congregation, that we have given just cause of offence unto? In this case it is not sufficient to approve our repentance and truth of heart to God, we must bee willing also, and desirous to appoove it to the congregation and Church of God, that wee may say as the two Tribes and halfe said; Iosh. 22.22. The Lord God of Gods hee knoweth, and Israel bee shall know.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Quest.
• * 1.2

  Answ. 1
• * 1.3

  2.
• * 1.4

  Doctr.
• * 1.5

  Proofe.
• * 1.6

  Reason.