Question 87

What repentance is here described?

Repentance unto life.

Why is it called Repentance unto life?

Because God hath promised us life upon our repentance.

What do we in repentance turn from?

From sin.

What do we turn unto?

Unto God.

Doth it turn the heart?

Yes.

And doth it turn the life?

Yes.

And doth true repentance chiefly lie in our turning frrom sin unto God both in heart and life?

Yes.

How doth the penitent turn from sin unto God?

With grief for, and hatred of it:

Is there never true repentance without real grief for sin?

No.

Is it not true repentance to forbear sin out of fear, except there be also an hatred of it?

No.

Whence doth this grief for, and hatred of sin arise in the sinner?

Out of the true sight of sin, and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ.

Can there be no true repentance without a true sight and discovery of sin?

No.

Will it be despair and not repentance, except with the sight of sin there be an apprehension (at least of a possibility) of mercy?

Yes.

In and through whom doth the Penitent sinner apprehend some hope of mercy?

In, and through Christ.

Doth he see any hope in himself, his own duties and deservings?

No.

What purposes doth true Repentance make the sinner to take up?

A purpose of new obedience.

Will true Repentance stand with a purpose to go on in sin?

No.

Doth it always bring forth a purpose of new Obedience?

Yes.

Doh it bring forth a wavering, and unsetled purpose only?

No.

What purpose then?

A full purpose.

And is it an idle and ineffectual purpose?

No.

What is this sincere purpose of obedience joyned with?

Endeavour after it.