15 of Repentance Unto Life and Salvation

Chapter 15 Of Repentance Unto Life and Salvation 1. Such of the elect as are converted at riper years, having sometime lived in the state of nature, and therein served divers lusts and pleasures, God in their effectual calling giveth them repentance unto life.

Titus 3:1 Titus 3:2 Titus 3:3 Titus 3:4 Titus 3:5 Titus 3:6 Titus 3:7

Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men. For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

2. Whereas there is none that doth good, and sinneth not

Ecclesiastes 7:20

For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

and the best of men may through the power and deceitfulness of their corruption dwelling in them, with the prevalency of temptation, fall in to greater sins and provocations, God hath in the covenant of grace, mercifully provided that believers so sinning and falling, be renewed through repentance unto salvation.

Luke 22:31 Luke 22:32

And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

3. This saving repentance is an evangelical grace,

Zechariah 12:10

Acts 11:18

And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

whereby a person, being by the Holy Spirit made sensible of the manifold evils of his sin, doth by faith in Christ, humble himself for it, with godly sorrow, detestation of it, and self-abhorrency;

Ezekiel 36:31

Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall loathe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations.

II Corinthians For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what 7:11 carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

praying for pardon and strength of grace, with a purpose and endeavour by supplies of the Spirit to walk before God unto all well-pleasing in all things.

Psalm 119:6 Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.

Psalm 119:126

It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law.

4. As repentance is to be continued through the whole course of our lives, upon the account of the body of death, and the motions thereof; so it is every man's duty to repent of his particular known sins, particularly.

Luke 19:8

And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.

I Timothy 1:12 I Timothy 1:13 I Timothy 1:14 I Timothy 1:15

And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

5. Such is the provision which God hath made through Christ in the covenant of grace, for the preservation of believers unto salvation, that although there is no sin so small, but it deserves damnation;

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

yet there is no sin so great that it shall bring damnation on them that repent;

Isaiah 1:16 Isaiah 1:17 Isaiah 1:18

Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Isaiah

Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

55:6 Isaiah 55:7

Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

which makes the constant preaching of repentance necessary.