Q99. Was this the practice of the godly in earlier times?
Yes. Nehemiah confessed his sins. David confessed his sins. Daniel confessed his sins. And those who were baptized by John in the Jordan confessed their sins.
Scripture Proofs — King James Version
Nehemiah 1:6
“Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father’s house have sinned.”
Psalm 32:5
“I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.”
Daniel 9:4
“And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments;”
Matthew 3:6
“And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.”