Lectures Upon Psalm 51, Part 7 · Lecture 108
Lecture CVIII. On Psalme 51.6. Ianu. 20. 1628.
Proofe.IT followeth now, that we proceed unto the proofe and confirmation of the Doctrine, and shew you, That the sins of a man that is truly regenerat, are in sundry respects much more hainous and dangerous then the same sins are, being committed by another man. Two sorts of witnesses there are to confirme this. 1. The conscience of the regenerate themselves. 2. The Lord who is greater then the conscience of any man.
For the first. David and Peter may serve in stead of a thousand. For as it is evident, they were truly regenerated before they fell, so is it as evident, that they judged their sins to be so much the more hainous and damnable, even for this cause, because they were regenerate, and in the state of grace, before they committed them.
How David judged of his sin, you may see in these words wherein he aggravateth his sinne by this argument. And in the hidden part, thou hadst made me to know wisedome. As if he had said, This, this is that that maketh my sinnes intollerably heavy to my conscience, that thou hadst given me saving knowledge, I was in the state of grace, when I yeelded to these tentations, when I fell into these sins. And see how neere hee was unto despaire, how much adoe hee had to get assurance of pardon, and to receive his comfort in God, how oft he repeateth his suit and petition for pardon, verse 1.2.7, 8, 9.12.14.
And how, Peter judged of his sin, so soone as the violence of the tentation was past, and God was pleased to open his eyes, and let him see what he had done; how deepe he sanke in sorrow; how neere he was unto despaire; how much a doe he had to recover his comfort and assurance of Gods favour, it is evident, not only by his weeping so bitterly for it, Matth. 26.75. but specially by that great care Christ had to raise him up againe to comfort him, more then for all the rest of the Apostles. He appointed an Angell to send word to Peter by name, of his resurrection, Marke 16.7. Tell his disciples and Peter. And he shewed himselfe first to him. 1 Cor. 15.5. He was seene of Cephas, then of the twelve; And by encouraging him so earnestly, and so pathetically, Iohn 21.15.17. not to give over his ministery, but to feed his lambs, to feed his sheepe for all that. But to these two, I will adde one example more; and that is of that poore Corinthian that fell into incest. For as we have no cause to doubt, but that he was a regenerate man before he fell into that sinne (for he was a member of that Church of whom the Apostle saith, 1 Cor. 1.2. that they were sanctified in Iesus Christ, they were called to bee Saints) so it is evident, that when he came to see what he had done, he judged his sinne to be so hainous and intolerable, that he was brought even to the brinke of desperation. Insomuch as the Apostle was faine to write unto the Church earnestly, 2 Cor, 2.7, 8. that they would comfort him and confirme their love toward him, for feare he were even swallowed up with over-much sorrow. See by these three examples how the regenerate themselves have judged of their falls.Object.
Now least any man should object against the strength of this proofe, and say, Alas, it was the weakenesse of these men to grieve as they did, and to be so troubled in their minds for their falls, they were distempered in their braines, either with melancholy, or Satans tentations (as experience sheweth us dayly, that many good soules are) which made them judge worse of their estate, then they had just cause to doe. If they had beene their owne men, and in their right minds, they would easily have discerned they have no reason to be so troubled, seeing they (being once regenerate) were not under the law, but under grace, and consequently their sinne (whatsoever it were, how hainous soever) could not have dominion over them, Rom. 6.14. They had not sinned, nor could possibly sinne, as other men did, with the full sway of their soule, the full consent of their will. For the seed of God remaineth still in them, as the Apostle speaketh, 1 Iohn 3.9. They should not be damned for any sinne, that they had committed, or could commit. For there is no condemnation to them that are once in Christ, Rom. 8.1. It is not possible they should dye in their sinnes, but they shall certainely be renewed by repentance. No sin they can commit, is able to separate them from the love of God, or cast them out of his favour, For whom Christ ever loved, he loveth to the end, Iohn 13.1.
To these men that shall thus object (as doubtlesse too many are apt to doe,Answ. too many are apt to thinke, that all Gods people whom they see humbled, and much perplexed in mind for their sinnes, are distempered in their braines, or at least are but silly weake creatures, voyd of all judgement) to these men I say, that those three persons, whom I have brought for witnesses to confirme this truth, were all in their right minds, they were not mad, they were not distempered in their braines, either through melancholy o… tentation (though I confesse, many of Gods people are so often times) they judged not otherwise of their falls then they had just cause to doe; they were no more troubled for their sinnes then they had just cause to be. And to prove this, I will produce my second witnesse, that I told you I would bring for proofe of this truth.
The Lord himselfe (who is greater then the conscience) doth thus judge of the foule sins that regenerate men fall into. For (notwithstanding all that hath bin sayd, or can possibly be said out of Gods word touching the unchangeablenesse of Gods love to all that are in Christ, or touching the perpetuity of their happy estate that are once truly regenerate, yet) the Lord hath both by his word and works, given two testimonies in this case, whereby he hath clearely declared how hee judgeth and esteemeth of the sins that his owne people fall into. And the two testimonies God hath given concerning this matter are these. 1. That he can no better brooke the sins of the regenerate, then of other men, but hateth sin as much in them, as in any other person. 2. That he hateth sin more in them, then in any other.
Observe the proofe of the first of these two testimonies in three points.
First. Of the sins of the regenerate, of Gods owne people it is said, that God will not pardon them. Hee is an holy God, hee is a jealous God (saith Ioshua to Gods owne people, Iosh. 24.19) hee will not forgive your transgressions, nor your sinnes. And even of Christ Iesus, the Angel of the Covenant, the Lord saith to his people, Exod. 23.21. Obey his voice, provoke him not, for he will not pardon your transgressions; and marke the reason God giveth for it, For my name is in him. As if he should say; Because he is God, therefore he will not pardon your transgressions; he were not God if he should doe it. What? (will you say) cannot the sins that a regenerate man falleth into be pardoned? Are all their falls impardonable sins? No verily; for I proved to you the last day, that no Elect child of God can possibly commit the unpardonable sin; that all their sins shall upon their repentance certainly be forgiven. The blood of Iesus Christ his sonne, cleanseth us from all sinne, as the Apostle saith, 1 Iohn 1.7. But in those fearefull sentences that I mentioned to you, two things are to be understood. 1. That God will not winke at: Christ himselfe (because he is God) cannot brooke nor beare with the sins of his people, he cannot count them innocent, nor thinke well of them, till they have repented. 2. That though ever since they first beleeved, and were converted, they have had a pardon upon record in heaven, that can never be revoked nor cancelled; yet if they fall againe into grosse sins, they shall hauehave no comfort at all of that pardon, but be as if they had no pardon, till by renewing their repentance and faith, they have sued out their pardon, and be able to shew, and plead it in the Court of their owne conscience.
Secondly. Of the regenerate of Gods owne people, it is said, that (though they be not eternally damned for their sins, yet) the Lord will take uengeance of them, and plague them for them in this life as grievouslly, and sharply, as any other men in all the world. The Lord our God knoweth well how to love the person of his child, and yet to hate his sin neverthelesse; how to continue his fatherly affection towards him, and yet to shew extreame detestation to his sin. If they breake my statutes, and keepe not my commandements (saith the Lord, Psalme 89.31—34.) then will I visite their transgression with the rod, and their iniquitie with stripes, neverthelesse, my loving kindnesse I will not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulnesse to faile; my covenant will I not breake, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips. And againe, Psalme 99.8. Thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou didst take vengeance of their inventions. Though the regenerate man hath a generall pardon, and all his sins be so forgiven him, as they shall never be imputed to his condemnation; yet if he give himselfe liberty to sin, he cannot hope to be exempted from any of Gods judgements, and plagues, that ever fell upon sinner in this life. He may be plagued as much as ever man was, in his estate, in his name, in his posterity, in his body, yea in his mind and conscience also. And who can tell in what kind, and in what measure God will plague him, how heavy and sharpe, or of how long continuance the judgement shall be, wherewith he will afflict him. The Lord we know hath great store, and variety of judgements to punish sinners with. He hath an armoury full of the weapons of his indignations, as the Prophet speaketh, Ieremy 50.25. O how terrible hath the Lord shewed himselfe to many of his deare servants this way. He is apt indeed (as we heard the last day) to passe by the frailties, and infirmities of his servants, such as they discerne and bewaile in themselves, but wilfull sins, scandalous sins, nay sins of negligence, and carelesnesse, such as themselves make no conscience of, he is not wont to winke at in them; he is wont to correct them sharply for such sins. Shall I instance in some few examples for this? And indeed how should I spend the time more profitably in so secure an age as this?
First. I will not stand upon the example of David, how sharply God scourged him for those sins which he bewaileth in this Psalme, with what changes and armies of sorrowes and plagues (as Iob speaketh, cap. 10.17.) he followed him ever after, all the dayes of his life. For you may say, his were most presumptuous, and notorious sins, such as few that were ever truly regenerate have fallen into. I will therefore come to the second example, wherein I will couple him and good Hezechiah together; What say you to that foolish pride they shewed, the one in numbring the people, the other in shewing all his treasures to the Embassadours of the King of Babell? O how severe was God in his judgments against them both even for this sin? Of David it is said, 1 Chron 21.14, that God slew of his subjects for that, seventy thousand men. And of Hezechiah it is said, … Chron 32.25, that for that sinne, there was wrath upon him, and upon Iudah, and Ierusalem. But you will say also that this was a presumptuous sin. O that we would learne yet from this example, how unable God is to brooke, or beare with presumptuous sinne, (though it be but in heart) in his deerest children. But let us come to a third example. What say you then to the sin of Aaron, and Moses, when they being bidden to speake onelyonly to the rocke, and promised that it should yeeld water enough for all the campe, did but doubt a little, and stagger at that promise, and instead of speaking onelyonly to the rocke, smote it twice (you shall see the story, Numb. 20.8—1….) and Moses in a passion spake unadvisedly with his lips, as the Psalmist speaketh, Psalme 106.33. Certainly this was but a frailtie in them, no presumptuous sin; and therefore you shall find the Prophet there, Psalme 136.32, 33. layeth that fault on the people, rather then on them; and so doth Moses himselfe also, Deut 1.37. And yet see how angry the Lord was with them even for this sin? Because of this, he would by no meanes be intreated to let them goe into the land of promise; though Moses earnestly besought him, he would not heare him. The Lord was wroth with mee (saith he, Deut. 3.26.) and would not heare me, but charged him to speake no more unto him of that matter. O but (you will say) though this was but a sin of frailtie, yet it was a scandalous sin. True, it was so indeed; And the Lord alledgeth that for the cause, why he was so provoked by it, because it was done openly to the scandall of the people, Numb. 20.12. Then learne by this example, how severe God will be in his judgements upon his people for scandalous sins. But what say you then to Moses his delaying of the circumcision of his sonne; to old Elyes bearing too much with his lewd sonnes; and the faithfull Corinthians, going to the Communion without care to prepare and examine themselves before? Certainly these were but sins of carelesnesse and negligence. And yet see how severe God was in his judgements against them even for these sins. The Lord met Moses in the Inne, and sought to kill him, saith the text, Exod. 4.24. The Lord did not only bring old Ely to a violent and strange death, he brake his necke, 1 Sam. 4 18. but he plagued his whole house and posteritie for ever for that sin, in a most fearefull manner, 1 Sam. 2.31—33 and cap. 3.11.14. The Lord sent a pestilence and mortality among the faithfull Corinthians, even for this sin. For this cause many are weake and sickly among you, and many sleepe, saith the Apostle, 1 Cor. 11.30. Behold how God hateth, and will punish his owne people, even for their negligences and carelesnesse, if they judge not themselves for it, and make conscience of it.
But yet there is a third degree, that sheweth much more how odious the sins of his owne people are unto the Lord. For of the regenerate, of Gods owne people, it is said, that they may so sin, as they may make their very persons odious and hatefull unto God, they may make their God their enemy. They rebelled and vexed his holy spirit (saith the Prophet, Esa. 6….10. speaking of the Church of God in the wildernesse) therefore hee was turned to bee their enemy. When God heard this (that is, when he understood this, that they fell into idolatry, for that was the sin that so provoked him then, as you may see, vers. 58.) hee was wroth (saith the Psalmist, Psalme 78.59.) and greatly abhorred Israel. Though the Lord can beare with many sins in his people; or though he beare not with them, yet can correct them only for them, and love them never the worse (as you know parents oft-times doe) yet may Gods children fall into such sins, as will even make them odious unto their father. These are things which defile a man, and will make him loathsome, saith our Saviour, Mat. 15.20. What are those things? That he telleth us verse 19. Murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witnesse, blasphemies.
Quest.How can that be? will you say. Whom the Lord once loveth in Christ, he loveth for ever. I have loved thee (saith the Lord to his people, Ier. 31.3.) with an everlasting love.
Answ.I answer. That is most true. Yet may his children so provoke him, that though he doe not quite disinherite them, or cease to be a father to them, yet will he shew them no countenance or fatherly affection at all; As David so loathed Absalom for murthering his brother, that though he continued a fatherly affection towards him still (yea, and after that too, when he had done far worse) yet he could not abide to see him, Let him turne to his owne house, and let him not see my face, saith he, 2 Sam. 14 …4. A Christian may by his sin cause his father so to loath him, as it may be he shall never have good countenance of him againe, he shall never see his face with comfort while he liveth. His adoption, the right and title he hath thereby to the word and Sacraments, to Christ and vntounto heaven, the comfort I say of all these, and of all the priviledges, the … he might make of them, he shall loose. As Vzzia when he fell into a leprosie, lost not his kingdome the right & title he had unto it therby; but he lost the use and execution of his regall authoritie, to the very day of his death, as we read. … Chron. 26.21. Of Asa we read, that though he dyed the child of God, as appeareth both by that which is said of him in his life time, 1 Kin. 15.14. that his heart was perfect with the Lord all his dayes; and also by the testimonie is given of him twice after his death, 2 Chron. 20.32. and 21.12. though he continued in the state of grace to his very death; yet by his sinnes hee lost the use and operation, the vigour, power, and comfort of his adoption, and of that grace that was in him, and recovered it not, even to his dying day; as may appeare by that report the holy Ghost maketh of his last dayes, 2 Chron. 16.10 12. A fearefull, yet most profitable example for all secure Christians to read and meditate of.
And thus you have heard the first testimony which the Lord hath given in this case, he hateth sin every whit as much in the regenerate man, as he doth in any other person in the world.