The application of redemption

Oh saith one, this is contrary to common reason; we¹ are afraid to have our sins known, that is our trouble, we keep our sins close, because we would preserve our honour.

Oh saith one, this is contrary to common reason; we¹ are afraid to have our sins known, that is our trouble, we keep our sins close, because we would preserve our honor.

1. 1Object.

I say the only way for Secrecy, is to reveal our sins ¹to some faithful Minister, for if we confess our sins God will cover them; if you take shame to your selves God will honour you; but if you will not confess your sins, God will break open the door of your hearts, and let in the light of his truth and the convicting power of his spirit and make it known to men and Angels to the shame of your persons for ever. If Judas had taken notice of his sin and yielded to Christs accusation, and desired some conference with Christ privately, and said good Lord, I am that Judas that hell-hound, that have received mercy from thee in the outward means, and have been entertained among thy people, yet it is I that have taken the thirty pence, Lord pardon this sin and let this iniquity never be […] to my charge. I doubt not but though Judas his soul could not be saved (because that now we know Gods decree of him) yet God would have saved him from the public shame that was cast upon him for it; but he did not so but hid his malice in his heart, and professed great matters of love to Christ and killed him, & thus he thought to cover his […] wisely; but what become of that? the Lord forced him to come and throw down his thirty pieces, and to vomit out his sin to the everlasting shame of his person, I have sinned says he in betraying innocent blood. So you that keep your sins as sugar under your tongues, you will be loose and unclean and malicious and covetous still, well, you will have your thirty pieces still, and they are laid up safe as Achans wedge of gold […], remember this, God will one day open the closets of your hearts; and lay you upon your death-beds, and then happily you will prove mad and vomit up all, were it not better to confess your sins to some faithful Minister now? If you will not give the Lord his glory, he will distrain for it, and have it from your heart blood as Julian the Apostate said, when the arrow was shot into his heart he plucked it […] and cried saying, Thou Galilean, thou hast overcome