Confession by J. Clarke

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 21, 1859

Confession.

By J. Clarke

"He that covereth his sins shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy." Prov. xxviii, 13.

Confession is an awkward business for the carnal heart, therefore let no one set himself to this business, unless he is fully determined to make thorough work, and persevere until the carnal mind is thoroughly subdued and renovated.

But if one is bound for the celestial city, let him comply with all Scripture regulations, for thus, and thus only, will the attempt to escape from sin and Satan be successful.

Let all things be done decently and in order, says one. Again he says, those who strive must strive lawfully, else they will not win the crown. He who refuses to confess open sins, does reverse the order of God, and fails to strive lawfully, and though he may attempt reform, yet it will be in vain, while public sins remain unconfessed.

Oh humility, thou excellent grace, come into my heart, and there dwell until confession shall become to me easy and edifying; until by constant exercise of this privilege, I may learn to abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes; until I can say, Behold, I am vile. O Jesus, may I never become too proud to confess fully and freely whenever I offend in thought, word or deed; and as my sin may be against God or man, even so may my confession cover the whole ground.

Secret things belong to God, and common sense and reason and the word of God forbid the unnecessary exposure of those sins which are hidden from the public eye, and have no direct bearing upon the public interests. Such unnecessary confessions are often no doubt instigated by Satan. But when one offends manifestly against the brethren, or against any individual, or church, or society, it becomes one's duty to confess his fault; that is, if he truly repents, and if one truly repents of sin his confession will follow. It will be the spontaneous effusion of his heart, now warm with a sense of Jesus' pardoning grace.

But fearful is the state of that heart which can flatter itself with the idea that reform in life can be effected, and that Jesus will manifest himself to the soul that remains too proud to say, I have sinned against heaven and in thy sight. He may make many prayers and confessions to God, but unless God's order is observed all such prayers will be in vain. Go to the brother, or sister, or church, whose feelings thou hast lacerated, and freely confess; then go to God. Then thy brethren will pray and weep over thee, then shall thy light rise out of obscurity, then thy soul will melt in love and joy, and peace and confidence shall be restored, and thou shalt realize the blessedness of that man whose transgressions are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.

J. CLARKE.