Lectures Upon Psalm 51, Part 7 · Lecture 110
Lecture CX. On Psalme 51.6. February 17. 1628.
IT followeth now that wee proceed unto the second reason of this severity of God towards his owne people,Reason 2 of his correcting them in this life, more sharply, then the lewdest men. The Lord doth this (secondly) out of the respect he hath unto other men, even unto those wicked men among whom his people do live. In his corrections upon them, he hath sometimes not so much respect unto them and their sins, as he hath unto other men. For the Lord doth nor only give unto his dearest servants, such privy pinches and gripes, as themselves onelyonly or some of their neerest friends are sensible of, but hee bringeth them oft upon the stage, he whippeth them openly, and publikely, of purpose that other men, yea, that wicked men may take notice of it. He striketh them as wicked men (as Elihu speaketh, Iob 34.26.) in the open sight of others. As if he should say, One would thinke they must needs be very wicked and lewd men, whom the Lord thus maketh examples of, and whippeth so openly. And yet thus hath the Lord dealt with his owne people; not only when their sins have beene publike, and scandalous; As in the case of Iudah, of which the Lord speaketh, Ezek. 5.14. I will make thee wast, and a reproach among the nations that are round about thee, in the sight of all that passe by. But even when the sins of his people have bin secret, and closely committed. Thou didst it secretly (saith the Lord unto David, 2 Sam. 12.1….) but I will doe this thing before all Israel, and before the Sunne. Yea, such of his people as have so lived, that neither others could note them, nor they have beene privy to themselves of any enormious crime, yet even them also hath the Lord oft brought upon the stage, and made them examples of his marvellous severity unto the world. Ye were made a gazing stocke (saith the Apostle to the faithfull, Hebr. 10.33.) both by reproaches and afflictions.
Now if any man shall aske,Quest. alas, why doth the Lord so? Were it not more for his glory, when his children doe offend him, to take them into a corner, and to whip them in secret, then to doe it thus in the market place, and in the sight of all men? Wicked men will but rejoyce at this, and insult the more against religion for it. And that made David wish with all his heart, that the judgement of God upon Israel, when Saul was slaine, had not beene so publique, that it had beene concealed from the Philistines. Tell it not in Gath (saith he, 2 Sam. 1.20.) publish it not in the streets of Ashkelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoyce, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.
To these I answer.Answ. That there be two wayes whereby the Lord getteth glory from wicked men, by these examples of his severity towards his owne children which he setteth before them. For 1. In some of them (even in such as he hath appointed unto life) these examples he seeth will be most effectuall to bring them to a serious consideration of their owne dangerous estate, and so to helpe forward their repentance. 2. In some others (even in desperate and incorrigible sinners) he seeth these examples will be most effectuall to harden them, and make them worse then they were before. That the Lord herein hath respect to both these effects we shall find, Ezek. 5.15. So it shall bee a reproach and a taunt, and an instruction, and an astonishment unto the nations that are round about ther, when I shall execute judgements in thee, in anger, and in furie, and in furious rebukes. As if he should say, The nations when they see my fury toward thee, shall be diversly affected with it. 1. Some of them being astonished at it, will receive instruction, and be the better for it. 2. Some of them againe, will taunt, and reproach, and hate thee the more and thy religion for it.
Of the first effect that this hath in the better sort of wicked men, the Lord speaketh againe, Ezek. …8.19. All they that know thee among the people, shall bee astonished at thee, and thou shalt be a terrour. As if hee had said, When they shall see and consider, how the Lord dealeth with thee, this shall teach them what they must looke for themselves, this shall make them to tremble and quake. The examples of Gods severity upon his owne children, will have more force to awaken the conscience of such wicked men as belong to God, then all his judgements they see in the world upon lewd men can possibly have. Every mans conscience in whom the light of nature is not quite extinguished will bee apt to inferre upon the sight of these examples the very same conclusions which the holy Ghost doth, Prov. 11.31. Behold the righteous (I see) shall bee recompensed in the earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner, such as I am? Weepe for your selves, weepe not for mee (saith our Saviour, Luke 23.28) and marke the reason, ver. 31. For if this be done to the greene tree, what shall be done to the dry? And 1 Pet. 4 17. If judgement begin at the house of God, what shall the end bee of them, that obey not the Gospell of God? As if he had said, If God be so sharpe and severe toward such as these be (who are farre more righteous then we are) what vengeance may we looke for, what cause of feare and trembling, and weeping have we?
But yet there are some men so desperatly wicked, that the Lord seeth will grow worse by these examples of his severity, and to them also he hath respect herein, or rather to his owne glory, in their just confusion. He knoweth well how to gaine glory to his owne name, even from these desperate sinners. Hee hath made all things for himselfe (saith Solomon, Proverbs 16.4.) Yea even the wicked for the evill day. For the experience of all ages, hath proved this to bee most certaine, that the strange afflictions that they have seene good men subject unto, hath had marvellous force to harden the hearts of wicked men, in the liking of their owne wayes, and in the hatred of the wayes of God. This is evident by the complaint, the faithfull so oft make unto God of this, as of a thing that did greatly aggravate their afflictions, Psalme 42.10.79.10.115.2. Ioel 2.17. Mic. 7.10. that they could be in no kind of misery, but the wicked would be ready straight to blaspheme, and insult against religion, and say, Where is now their God? As if they should say, What is become of their religion now? What get they by their great profession, by their forwardnesse, and running after sermons? And certainly this is a chiefe cause why some good soules have fallen into strange afflictions, some in one kind, some in another (some live in continuall pensivenesse, and feares, some fall into strong fits of desperation; yea, and into frenzy also, some have beene so farre left of God in these fits, as they have sought even to make away themselves) even that God might make of these good soules, his deare children, stones of offence for some desperate sinners and enemies of the Gospel, that live about them, to stumble at, and harden their hearts by, in the hatred of religion, to their owne perdition. I will lay stumbling blocks before this people (saith the Lord, Ieremy 6.21.) and the fathers and the sons together, shall fall upon them, the neighbour and his friend shall perish. And thus you have seene the second reason of that severity God sheweth in this life towards his owne people, even the respect hee hath unto other men, whom hee is pleased to make them examples unto.
Reason 3.The third and last followeth, which is indeed the chiefe of all, even the respect the Lord hath to the quality and degree of his peoples sinne. No marvell though God doe in this life, shew more hatred and indignation against the sins of his own people, then of any other, for their sins are in sundry respects, greater & more hainous then the sins of other men. One dead flye (saith Solomon, Eccl. 10.1. For so some of the best interpreters read it, and so both the verbe of the singular number, and the Apodosis or application of the comparison sheweth it ought to be read) One dead fly doth cause the ointment of the Apothecary to send forth a stinking savour, so doth a little folly him that is in reputation, for wisedome and honour. As if he had said, One dead worke, one wicked act, will make a man that is of note for piety loathsome unto God and men; yea the greater note he was of for piety, the more odious and loathsome will sinne make him to be both unto God and men. As the greatest candle and that that gave the most light, will yeeld the filthiest savour if it goe out, and become a snuff…. I have written unto you, If any man that is called a brother be (saith the Apostle, 1 Cor. 5.11.) a fornicatour, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner, with such a one not to keepe company, no not so much as to eat with him; which hee expressely permitteth to doe, verse 10. with the fornicatours and other lewd men of the world, that were not brethren. And the Lord that commandeth his children to shew more detestation to the foule sinnes that Christians fall into, then to the sinnes of other men, doth himselfe doubtlesse loath them more, then hee doth the sinnes of other men. If you aske mee the reason of this, why the sinnes of the regenerate are more heinous then the sinnes of other men; I answer. The reasons of this are foure principally.
First, The regenerate sinne against greater meanes of knowledge and obedience, then other men doe, and therefore their sinnes are greater, more heinous and odious unto God then the sinnes of other men. True it is that all wicked men doe sin against the meanes, and that is that that doth aggravate the sinne of every man, and will make him inexcusable (as the Apostle speaketh, Rom. 1.20) that he sinneth against the meanes God hath given him to keepe him from sinne. But Gods people that live in his Church (in the valley of vision as the Prophet calleth it, Esa. 22.1.) under the ministery of the Gospell, enjoy farre greater and stronger meanes then all other men do. For that is the power of God unto salvation, as the Apostle calleth it, Rom. 1.16. And proportionable to the greatnesse and excellency of the meanes, that God vouchsafeth to any to keepe him from sinne, is the greatnesse and heinousnesse of his sinne, in the sight of God. All men shall find one day that even the having of a sound ministery of the Word whether they profit by it or profit not, even the having of such meanes, will greatly increase the heinousnesse of their sinnes. Whether they will heare, or whether they will forbeare (saith the Lord, Ezek. 2.5.) yet they shall know, that there hath beene a Prophet among them. As if he should say, They shall know, what it is to have had excellent meanes, and not to be bettered by them. So saith our Saviour of the Iewes that enjoyed his ministery, Iohn 15.22. If I had not come and spoken unto them they had not had sinne, (that is, their sinne had beene nothing in comparison of that that now it is) but now they have no cloke (no excuse) for their sinne. And for this cause he saith, Mat. 11.24. that it should be more tolerable for Sodom, in the day of judgement then for Capernaum. The sinnes of Capernaum were more heinous and odious unto God then the sinnes of Sodom, because they were committed against greater and stronger meanes then the other were.
Secondly, The regenerate sinne against greater knowledge, then other men doe, and therefore their sinnes are greater and more heinous then other mens are. True it is, that all wicked men doe sinne against their knowledge and conscience; for by the light of nature they know many things that they doe to be evill, Iohn 1.9. Rom. 2.15. And this sinning against their knowledge and conscience is that that greatly increaseth the sinne of every naturall man; Because knowing the judgement of God (that they that commit such things are worthy of death saith the Apostle, Rom. 1.32,) yet they not onelyonly doe the same, but have pleasure in them that doe them. This shall stop the mouth of all iniquity (as the Psalmist speaketh, Psal. 107.42.) at the day of Iudgement, when the bookes of conscience shall bee opened, and men shall be judged according to that that is written therein. Revel. 20.12. But all that live in the Church, sinne more against knowledge, sinne against a farre greater light then any other man doth. The light men have by nature, is but a dimme light; they that seeke God by that light, do but grope after him, as the Apostle speaketh Acts 17.27. The word is a farre clearer light, and they that are instructed by it, have a farre clearer knowledge, then by any other meanes a man can have. The commandement is a lamp (saith Solomon, Pro. 6.23.) and the law is light. And yet they that are inwardly inlightned by the spirit of God (as all the regenerate are) have a farre clearer light, and knowledge of God, then any man can have that enjoyeth the outward light of the word onelyonly; when in the hidden part the Lord hath made a man to know wisedome, as David speaketh here. For though the word be a most cleare light, yet every naturall man hath such a vaile over his heart, as he cannot cleerely discerne it: but when the heart is once turned to the Lord, and converted (as the Apostle teacheth, 2 Cor. 3.15, 16.) that evill is taken away. The regenerate mans knowledge is farre greater and clearer then any other mans can bee, and consequently his sin must needs be also greater then any other mans. For the greater measure and degree of knowledge that any man hath, the greater is his sin. To him that knoweth to do well, and doth it not (saith the Apostle, Iam. 4.17.) to him it is sin. What? and to no body els? yes, but not so much to any other, sin shall not be imputed and laid so heavy to the charge of any man, as to him that hath sinned against his owne knowledge and conscience. If you were blind (saith our Saviour, Iohn 9.41.) ye should have no sinne; that is, nothing so much sin, so hainous sin, as now ye have. The servant that knoweth his Lords will (saith our Saviour, Luke 12.47.) and prepared not himselfe, nor did according to his will, shall bee beaten with many stripes. And no marvell, for all sins against knowledge, are in some degree presumptuous sins, and are committed with an higher hand, and in more direct contempt of God, then other sins are; as appeareth by that opposition that is made betweene sins of ignorance, and presumptuous sins, both in Numb. 15.27.30. and Psal. 19.12, 13.
Thirdly. The regenerate, sin against greater mercy and kindnesse, they have received from God, then other men do, and therefore their sins are greater, and more hainous then the sins of other men. True it is, there is no wicked man but he hath received much mercy and kindnesse from God. The Lord is good to all (saith the Psalmist, Psalme 145.9.) and his tender mercies are above all his workes. And his sinning against this goodnesse and mercy of God, is that that greatly increaseth the sin of every wicked man, and will much aggravate his condemnation. This is that that treasureth up wrath unto them against the day of wrath, as the Apostle speaketh, Rom. 2.4, 5. But the mercies and kindnesses that God hath shewed to any wicked man, are nothing if they be compared with that, which he hath shewed to every regenerate soule. They are but common mercies, they are but as the crummes that fall from their masters table, as that poore woman speaketh, Matth 15.27. Remember mee ô Lord (saith David, Psalme 106 4) with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people. The Lord hath shewed another manner of favour and love to his owne people, he hath done more for the poorest wretch that is regenerate, he hath given him more then all the world besides. Hee hath given them his owne sonne. To us a sonne is given, Esa. 9.6. He hath given them a full and free pardon of all their sinnes. Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sinne, saith David, Psalme 85.2. Hee hath given them his holy spirit. Because yee are sonnes (saith the Apostle, Gal. 4.6) God hath sent forth the spirit of his son into your hearts. He will give them the kingdome. Feare not little flocke (saith our Saviour, Luke 12.32.) For it is your fathers good pleasure to give you the kingdome. Yea (which addeth much to all his former favours) he giveth them to know, that he hath done all this for them, Wee have received (saith the Apostle in the name of the faithfull, 1 Cor. 2.12.) the spirit which is of God, that wee might know the things that are freely given us of God. Hee hath given them the comfortable sense, of this his speciall love that he beareth to them above any other in the world. They have tasted that the Lord is gracious as the Apostle speaketh, 1 Pet. 2.3. Now proportionable to the goodnesse and bounty that the Lord hath shewed unto any, must the greatnesse and h…inousnes of his sin needs be. If a man be treacherous and unfaithfull to his dearest friend, to his master, to his owne father, this (we know) will make him odious unto all men. To whomsoever much is given (saith our Saviour, Luke 12.4….) of him shall much bee required; and to whom men have committed much, of him they will aske the more. And thus doth the Lord aggravate the sin of his people, Deut. 32.6. yea thus will the conscience of every child of God, when it shall be awakened aggravate his owne sin. Doe ye thus requite th… Lord, ô yee foolish people and unwise? Is not hee thy father, that hath bought thee? Hath he not made thee, and established thee?
Fourthly and lastly. The sins of the regenerate, do more hurt then the sins of other men; and therfore their sins are greater and more heinous then the sins of other men.
First. The evill example of one Christian of note, doth more encourage and harden wicked men in their sinnes, then twenty examples of lewd men can doe. If any man see thee that hast knowledge, sit at meate in the idols temple (saith the Apostle, 1 Cor. 8.10 and that which he saith of that one sin may bee said of others) shall not the conscience of him that is weake, be emboldened to eat of meates offered unto Idols? So the Lord saith, Ezekiel 16.54. that the Iewes were a comfort to them of Sodom and Samaria. As if hee should say, It is a comfort to lewd men, to see professours as bad as themselves. And this is that that greatly aggravateth their sin, & will make it lye heavier on their conscience, even when they have repented, that they have beene the meanes of the damnation of others. And thus God aggravateth the sin of the Iewes, Iere. 6.28. They are all corrupters.
Secondly. There redoundeth more dishonour to God from the sinnes of the regenerate, then from the sins of any other man. Yee shall keepe my commandements and doe them (saith the Lord, Levit 22.31, 32.) neither shall yee profuse my holy name. As if hee had sayd, If yee doe not, my Holy Name will bee profaned. All the sinnes of professours, specially of men of chiefe note for piety, will bee imputed by lewd men unto the Lord, and cast as dirt upon his Holy Name and religion. If but a woman that professeth religion be an id…e huswife, or unquiet with her husband, the word of God will be blasphenied saith the Apostle, Titus 2.5. Nay, if but a servant that professeth religion, faile any way in his duty to his master, the name of God and his doctrine will bee blasphemed, saith he, 1 Timothy 6.1. When Simeon and Levy had dealt so lewdly against the Shechemites, Iacob telleth them, Genes. 34 30. they had made him to stinke among the inhabitants of the land. Alas, hee had no hand in their sinne; hee did shew his utmost detestation to it, so soone as hee knew of it; True, but the world is wont for the sinne of one or two of Gods people to open their mouthes against all of their profession, yea, to loath and abhorre them all, and Gods holy religion it selfe for it. In which respect it may bee sayd of Gods owne people, as our Saviour speaketh of the Scribes and Pharisees, Matth. 23.13. that by their foule and scandalous sinnes, they doe even shut up the kingdome of heaven against men, they doe utterly alienate the hearts of men from entring into the way that should bring them to heaven. And this, this is that that above all other things, doth make their sinnes out of measure sinfull. The sinne of Elies sonnes was very great before the Lord (1 Sam. 2.17.) for men abhorred the offering of the Lord; they loathed the worship and religion of God for their sin. And this was that that the Prophet laid so heavily to Davids charge, even after he had repented, 2 Sam. 12.14. By this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme. O that is an heavie thing.