CHAPTER 15
Of Repentance unto Life.
I. Repentance unto life is an
evangelical grace,a
the doctrine whereof is to be preached by every minister of the gospel, as
well as that of faith in Christ.b
a Zech. 12:10; Acts
11:18.
b Luke 24:47; Mark
1:15; Acts 20:21.
II. By it a sinner, out of the
sight and sense, not only of the danger, but also of the filthiness and
odiousness of his sins, as contrary to the holy nature and
righteous law of God, and upon the apprehension of his mercy in
Christ to such as are penitent, so grieves for and hates his sins,
as to turn from them all unto God,c
purposing and endeavouring to walk with him in all the ways of his
commandments.d
c Ezek. 18:30,31;
Ezek. 36:31; Isa. 30:22; Ps. 51:4; Jer. 31:18,19; Joel 2:12,13; Amos 5:15; Ps.
119:128; 2 Cor. 7:11.
d Ps. 119:6,59,106;
Luke 1:6; 2 Kings 23:25.
III. Although repentance be not
to be rested in, as any satisfaction for sin, or any cause of the pardon
thereof,e which is
the act of God’s free grace in Christ;f yet is it of such necessity to all sinners, that none may
expect pardon without it.g
e Ezek. 36:31,32;
Ezek. 16:61-63.
f Hos. 14:2,4; Rom.
3:24; Eph. 1:7.
g Luke 13:3,5; Acts
17:30,31.
IV. As there is no sin so small
but it deserves damnation;h
so there is no sin so great, that it can bring damnation upon those who truly
repent.i
h Rom. 6:23; Rom.
5:12; Matt. 12:36.
i Isa. 55:7; Rom.
8:1; Isa. 1:16,18.
V. Men ought not to content
themselves with a general repentance, but it is every man’s duty to
endeavour to repent of his particular sins particularly.k
k Ps. 19:13; Luke
19:8; 1 Tim. 1:13,15.
VI. As every man is bound to
make private confession of his sins to God, praying for the pardon thereof;l
upon which, and the forsaking of them, he shall find mercy;m
so he that scandalizeth his brother, or the church of Christ, ought
to be willing, by a private or publick confession and sorrow for his sin, to
declare his repentance to those that are offended;n who are thereupon to be reconciled to him, and in love to
receive him.o
l Ps. 51:4,5,7,9,14;
Ps. 32:5,6.
m Prov. 28:13; 1
John 1:9.
n James 5:16; Luke
17:3,4; Josh. 7:19; Ps. 51 throughout.
o 2 Cor. 2:8.
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