The Marrow of Divinity, Religious treatise · Chapter 39
CHAP. XXXIX. Questions, and Cases of Conscience about Confession.
Quest. IS confession a duty that God requires of Christians?
Answ. Yea, its a Gospel-duty that we should confesse with our mouths as well as believe with our hearts, Rom. 10.10.
Quest. What is this confession required?
Answ. Its an open profession of Christ, and his Gospel, his truths and wayes, and a pleading for the same.
Quest. What must we confesse concerning Christ?
Answ. First, his Natures; as his Divinity and Humanity: So did the woman of Canaan, Matth. 15.22. John the Baptist, Joh. 1.20, 27, 34. the Eunuch, Act. 8. 37. Peter, Joh. 6.69.
Secondly, his Offices: so did Nathaniel, Mat. 16.16. the woman of Samaria, Joh. 4.19, 29. and John the Baptist, John 1.29.
Thirdly, his beauty, excellency, and dignity: So did the Church, Cant. 5. 9, 10, &c. John the Baptist, Joh. 1.20, 27. and 3.28. to 33. so the Saints, Rev. 5.11, 12, 13.
Fourthly, especially such things concerning Christ as others deny, or doubt of: As they asserted Christs resurrection which was then denied, Act. 4.2. Rom. 10.9. Act. 24.15. and 23.6.
Quest. What else must we confesse in reference to Christ?
Answ. First, our faith in him, and his Gospel: So, Mark 9.24. Joh. 9.38. Act. 24.15. Isa. 45.23, 24. Our interest in God and Christ. So, Job 19.25, &c. Joh. 20.28. Cant. 2.16.
Secondly, our grace received from Christ, and of the work, and workings of it: So, 1 Cor. 15.10. 1 Tim. 1.13, 14. 1 King. 18.12. John 21.16. Psal. 43.4. Gal. 6.14. 2 Cor. 12.10.
Thirdly, our worshipping of God after a Gospel manner, purely, and spiritually without humane inventions, or superstitious vanities. So, Acts 24.13, 14.
Fourthly, our practice, or manner of life: what is the constant bent of our resolutions, and endeavours: So, Psal. 66.16. 1 John 1.1, 3. Thus relations of experiences are confessions of Christ before men: So also to beare witnesse aagainst sinne, though with our own danger: So did John the Baptist, Mark 6.18, 27.
Quest. When must we thus make confession?
Answ. When we are called thereunto either publickly, or privately.
Quest. How may we be called publickly to it?
Answ. Either by the Church, or by the Magistrate.
Quest. When are we called to it by a Church?
Answ. Either at the constitution of it; or at our admission into it.
Quest. How are we called to confession at the constitution of a Church?
Answ. As Christ makes the confession of Faith to be the foundation upon which his visible Church is built, Mat. 16.16. to 19. whence two things may be collected.
1. That a good confession of faith in Christ should be made, and laid as a foundation at the gathering, or constituting of a Church, which may be effectuall to keep the Members sound in the faith, and to ingage them to hold fast their principles.
2. That those are the fittest stones for the building of a Church, that can give the best account of their faith in Christ.
Quest. How are we called to confession at our admittance into a Church?
Answ. At our admission into a Church, to which we desire to joyne our selves, being required to give an account of our faith and holinesse, we should be free and ready to do it.
Quest. How may that be proved?
Answ. First, because, as to beleeve with the heart, makes a man a member of the invisible Church, so to confesse with the mouth, qualifies him to be a member of the visible Church of Christ.
Secondly, this gives the Church knowledge of us, and satisfaction in us, yea, moves them to glorifie God for us, and to receive us in the Lord unto the fellowship with them in all Christs Ordinances, without which they may be afraid of us, as the Church of Jerusalem was of Paul, Act. 9.26, 27.
Thirdly, this seems to have been the practice of the Primitive Church (as now it is of the reformed Churches) so Act. 2.41.
Fourthly, what is done at the planting of a Church, is proper to be done in the augmentation of a Church, whosoever would be a lively stone in this building should be a confessor of Christ, 1 Pet. 2.5.
Quest. How are we called to this publick confession by a Magistrate?
Answ. When we are brought before Rulers, and Governours for Christs sake, and examined about our religion, then we ought to bear witnesse to Christ, and his truth, as Christ, and his Apostles did, John 18.37. 1 Tim. 6.1. Luke 22.70. Mark 14.61, 62. So Act. 4.5, to 16. and 5.27, to 33. Act. 6.12.15. and 24.14. to 22. and 26.2, &c. and 24.25, &c.
Quest. When are we called to it privately?
Answ. First, when we are asked by a single person, who desires information, and lays not a snare for us, 1 Pet. 3.15. so did Christ, Joh. 4.15, 26. and 10.24, &c. and 7.35, &c.
Secondly, when we are engaged in reasonings and disputes with others about the matters of Christ, and his Gospel, Jude 3. we are set for the defence of the Gospel, Phil. 1.17. Act. 19.29. and 17.18, 24, &c. and 15.2. and 6.9, 10, &c. Hence, Phil. 1.27.
Thirdly, when we are in company where the name of Christ is blasphemed, or his truths, wayes, servants are evil spoken of: then we ought to stand up for Christ, and his truth, &c. and to speak as much for them as others do against them, yea, to outspeak them, and put them to silence.
Quest. Why ought we to make confession with the mouth?
Answ. First, in regard of God: and that,
1. Because its an homage, and service that God requires of us, Isa. 45.23. with Rom. 14.11.
2. God the Father did confesse, and give testimony by a voice from heaven to his Sonne Christ Jesus, Matth. ….17. and 17.5. So Christ saith, John 5.32, 37. and 8.18. and herein we should be followers of God, as dear children, Ephes. 5.1.
3. Hereby we give glory to God, Phil. 2.11. Joh. 7.19. Rom. 15.6.
Secondly, in respect of Christ, and that
1. Because its Christs priviledge to be confessed, or an honorary that was conferred on him by God for his deep humiliation, Phil. 2.9, 10. and not to confess him, is to rob him of that glory which is peculiar to him.
2. It was Christs practice, both in life and death. He confessed his Father, John 1.18. and 8.38. that God is a spirit, John 4.24. How he will be worshipped: John 15.15. and 3.32. He did bear witnesse to the truth, Joh. 18.37. Hence Rev. 1.5. and 3.14.
Thirdly, in regard of our selves: and that,
1. Because we are Gods witnesses, Isa. 43.10. To this end God gives us more knowledge and grace then he doth to others, that we might speak more of, and for God then others. Hence, Mat. 13.16. Its our honour to be witnesses of Christ, Joh. 1.7. and 21.24. 2 Cor 11.5. Act. 26.16. and 9.15.
2. If we confesse God, and Christ, and his truth, we shall be confessed by both.
1. By the Father, who will own and avouch us to be his people, portion, jewels, friends, &c. and that,
1. Before men: If we testifie for God, he will give testimony of us, as he did of Abraham, Abel, Moses, Daniel, Enoch, &c. Heb. 11.4, 5. Hence Gods servants have appealed to God to be their witnesse, Job 16.19. Psal. 139.23, 24. and 7.8. and 26.1, 2. If we plead for God, he will plead for us; as, Numb. 12.8. Job. 42.7. Lam. 3.58. Psal. 37.6.
2. Before Devils. So, Job 1.8. and 2.4.
2. By the Sonne: If we confesse Christ, he will confesse us, Mat. 10.32. Luke 12.8.
3. If we confesse God and Christ we shall be encouraged, defended, and honoured even here.
1. We shall be encouraged and strengthned by Christ too, and in our testimony, Act. 18.9. and 23.10, 11. 2 Tim. 4.…6, …7.
2. We shall be defended, and delivered from the assaults, and designes of our enemies, Acts 18.9, 10. and 26.16, 17. and 23.10, 11, 20, 21. 2 Tim. 4.17.
3. If we honour God by confession, he will honour us, and that
1. With favour, affection, and respect from men, 1 Pet. 4.14. Act. 4.33. Rev. 3.8, 9.
2. With victory over Satan, Rev. 12.10, 11.
3. Yea, God will honour us with mutual inhabitation, which implies intimate communion, 1 Joh. 4.15.
4. If we confesse Christ aright, we shallbe saved. Confession tends to salvation.
1. As a way appointed us to God, to walk in towards heaven.
2. As a character, property, and practice of such as shall be saved.
3. As a furtherance of our salvation, because its a means, or help to our perseverance in the faith, even to the end: and then, Mat. 24.13. Heb. 10.23.
Fourthly, In regard of others, who by our confession may receive instruction, confirmation, and encouragement to doe the like boldly, and without fear.
Quest. How must this confession be made?
Answ. First, freely, without compulsion▪ as water flowes out of the Fountain.
Secondly, Plainly, and fully without obscurity, without hiding, or mincing the truth. So Joh. 1.19, 20. Hence our confession of Christ should flow from faith as the fountain, and that
1. From our Faith in Christ. Confession with the mouth should proceed from Faith in the heart, 2 Cor. 4.13. Psal. 116.10.
Object. But, Rom. 14.22. Hast thou Faith, have it to thy self, before God, therefore we need not confess it before men?
Answ. Paul there speaks not of a justifying Faith, but of a Faith, or perswasion of Christian liberty in things indifferent: This Faith a man may keep to himself, or so shew or use it, as thereby not to offend his brother.
2. From out experience in some measure of Christ, and his grace, or of what we confess: This will provoke us to a confession before men, as Act. 4.18, &c. So 1 Joh. 1.1. Christ gave his Apostles experience, and Paul, Act. 26.16.
Thirdly, Boldly without fear, or shame, So Acts 23.6. with 24.21. and 20.23, 24. and 21.13. Phil. 1.20. Its our honour so to doe, Act. 5.41. and 4.8, &c. Psal. 119.46, 2 Sam. 6.20, &c.
Fourthly, Constantly, without giving over till we have finished our testimony: as the two witnesses, Rev. 11.7. and Paul, 2 Tim. 4.7. Act. 23.25. Hence, Rev. 3.3. This Christ takes kindly, Rev. 2.13. and 3.8, 10.
Fifthly, Innocently without giving offence, or occasion to any to speak evill of us, whilst we are speaking good of Gods name, or for his truths, and wayes, Act. 24.20 and 23.9. For which end we must doe it.
1. With meekness, from an humble spirit, without any shew of pride, ostentation, passion, or bitterness.
2. With fear of God, of offending him whilst we are confessing him, or doing, or saying any thing which may cause the way of truth to be evil spoken of: And with reverence of men, by giving all due respect to them before whom we speak.
Sixthly, Sincerely out of love and zeale.
1. Out of love to Christ, and his truth: For what we love we will own openly Cant. 5.9. Love is strong as death, &c.
2. Out of zeale for God, his glory, the credit of his cause, the honour of his truth, the propagation of his Gospel, the encouragement and comfort of his friends, and the conviction of his enemies.
Seventhly, Patiently, with a disposition, and resolution to suffer for our testimony if God call us to it: as others have suffered before us, Mat. 10.37, &c. Joh. 9.22. Rev. 1.9. and 11.3, 7.10. and 12.17. and 20.4.
Mr. Reyners Government of the tongue.
Quest. Whether is it lawful for a man being urged to go to Idol-service, and to hear Mass, so he keep his heart unto God?
Answ. It is not, as may be proved by these reasons.
First, St. Paul, 1 Cor. 8. and the 10. Chap. disputes this question, whether they might go into the Idol temples, and there eat of meat offered to them, so they did not partake with Idolaters in the worship of their Idols? This he concludes utterly unlawfull; for they could not partake of the Lords cup, and the cup of devils: so is it unlawful for a Protestant to go to the Popish Mass.
Secondly, God is the Creatour of both body and soul, and therefore is to be worshiped with both: and we rob him of his due when we reserve our hearts to him, and give our bodies to Idols, whereas, Rom. 12.1. we must give up our bodies a living sacrifice unto God.
Object. Against this some object the example of Naaman, 2 Kin. 5.18, 19▪ where they infer, that the Prophet gave Naaman leave to worship in an Idol-Temple?
Answ. First, Some answer that Naaman speaks only of civil, and Politick worship: For his Office was to kneel down that the King might lean on his shoulder: and Naaman makes open protestation, ver. 7. that he will Worship no God but the God of Israel.
Secondly, Others answer better, that Naaman acknowledgeth it a sin to go the house of Rimmon, and therefore craves pardon for it twice, verse 18. and withall, vows that thenceforth he would offer sacrifice to no God, save only to the Lord.
Thirdly, Naaman intreats the Prophet to pray for him, that he might be constant in the service of the true God: and that in case, through humane frailty, he should, against his purpose, be drawn to it, that the Lord in mercy would pardon his offence.
Object. But if I doe not go to mass, I shall give offence to the Papists?
Answ. We are to doe our duty, though men be never so much offended, Mat. 15.14. Again▪ we ought not to do evil, that good may come of it.
Quest. Whether may a man, especially a Minister, with a good conscience fly in persecution?
Answ. Sometimes it is lawfull, though not alwayes: For
First, Christ commands it, Matth. 10.15. neither was this command ever repealed.
Secondly, We have many examples for it in Scripture, of Jacob, Gen. 27. and 31. of Moses, Exod 2.15. Heb. 11.27. of the Prophets hidden by Obadiah, 1 Kin. 18.13. of Elijah, 1 Kin, 19.3. of Christ himself, Joh. 10.39. of Paul, Act. 9.25.29, 30.
Object. Persecution is good, and therefore it may not be eschewed?
Answ. First, Some things are simply good of themselves, as vertues, and all morall duties, and these may not be eschewed. Gthers are good only in some respects, as things indifferent, which are neither commanded, nor forbidden, and these may be eschewed except we know they are good for us. Now persecution being good only by accident, we may avoid it, because no man can say, whether it be good, or bad for him.
Object. Persecution is sent of God for the triall, and good of his Church?
Answ. First, Evill things sent of God, may be avoided, if he shew us a way, or means to escape them.
Secondly, There is a two fold will of God, his revealed will, and his secret will: By the former he hath appointed, that in case of present danger, when a a door is open, we may escape. As for his secret will, because its unknown, and therefore uncertain to us, we may not rashly presume thereof, but rather use the means offered, till God reveale the contrary.
Object. To flie in persecution is a kind of deniall of Christ, and against confession?
Answ. Christian confession is two-fold: first, Open. Secondly, implicite.
1. Open confession is when a man boldly confesseth his faith before the adversary even unto death: as the Martyrs did.
2. Implicite, which though it be inferiour to the former, yet its a true confession, and acceptable unto God: and this is when a man to keep his religion, is content to forsake his Country, friends, and goods.
Object. But Christ bids us not to fear them that can but kill the body, therefore we may not flie? Mat. 10.28.
Answ. First, This forbids not all feare, but such a fear as tends to Appostacy, causing men to renounce faith, and a good conscience.
Secondly, It speaks of such feare, whereby wee feare man more then God.
Thirdly, Its speaks of such a feare whereby we are urged to tempt God by doing something that is contrary to his will, and out of our calling. Now when we speak of flight in persecution, we understand not such a flight as tends to Apostacy, &c. but that alone whereby we use the means offered according to his appointment.
Quest. When may a man, Minister, or other fly?
Answ. First, When there is no hope of doing good by his abode in that place, where the persecution is: but not when there is hope: at such a time God forbad it Paul, Act. 18.10.
Secondly, Consider whether the persecution be personall, or publick. Personal is that which is directed against this, or that mans person. Publick, which is raised against the whole Church: If it be personall against the Pastor, he may fly, and it may be, his flight will bring peace to the Church.
Quest. But what if the people will not suffer him to fly?
Answ. They should be so far from hindring him, that they should rather further him: So Acts 19.30. But if the persecution be publick, then he is not to fly: For then the strong should support and confirme the weake.
Thirdly, If there be in the Pastor, moderation of minde: for as he must not be overcome with excessive feare, so neither must he be foole-hardy to run into apparent danget. To avoid both which, he must pray for wisdome, courage, and constancy, and use the consent, and advice of the Church, for his further direction herein.
Fourthly, The Pastor must only withdraw himself for a time, and not utterly forsake his charge, and calling, Mat. 10.23.
Fifthly, He may fly, if after due triall, and examination of himself, he finde not himselfe sufficiently armed with strength to beare the extrenity.
Sixthly, If he be expelled, or banished by the Magistrate though the cause be unjust.
Seventhly, If God offer a lawfull way, and means of escaping.
Eightly, If the danger be not only suspected, and seen afar off, but certain, and present.
Quest. When may not a Pastor, or other man fly?
Answ. First, when God puts into their heart the spirit of courage, and fortitude, whereby they resolve to stand out against all the fury of the adversary. So it was with Paul, Act. 20.22. and 21.13. One in Queen Maries dayes having this motion to stand out, and yet flying, for the very act, felt such a sting in his conscience, that he could never have peace till he died.
Secondly, When they are appehended, and under the custody of the Magistrate: then they may not fly, because in all their sufferings they must obey the Magistrate.
Quest. Whether then may a man imprisoned, break prison if he can.
Answ. No man being in durance may use any unlawfull, or violent means to escape: for we may not resist the Magistrate in our sufferings. Servants must submit to the unjust corrections of their Masters, 1 Pet. 2.19. the Apostles would not so escape when they might; till the Angel brought them forth, Act. 5.19.
Thirdly, When a man is bound by his calling, and Ministry, so as therein he may glorify God, and doe good to his Church: For the discharge of the duties of our callings must be preferred before our very lives.
Fourthly, When God by his Providence cuts off all lawfull meanes, and wayes of flying: then he doth (as it were) bid that man stay, and abide: we must not use unlawfull means, nor do evill that good may come of it.
Mr. Perkins Vol. 2. p. 86▪
See more of the lawfulnesse of flight in Persecution in the life of Athanasius in my first part of Lives.