Question 87

Is true Repentance Repentance unto Life?

Yes. God hath to the Gentiles granted Repentance unto Life,^a

Is it a Grace?

Yes. If God peradventure will give them Repentance,^b

Is it a Saving Grace?

Yes. Godly Sorrow worketh Repentance unto Salvation,^c

Is Repentance requir’d of every one of us?

Yes. God commandeth all Men everywhere to repent,^d

Is it necessary to our Pardon?

Yes. For Repentance and Remission of Sins are preached to all Nations,^e

Is it given to qualifie us for Pardon?

Yes. God hath exalted his Son Christ Jesus to give Repentance and Remission of Sins,^f

Can we be saved without it?

No. Except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish,^g

Is it necessary to Repentance that there be a Sense of Sin?

Yes. Cause Jerusalem to know her Abominations,^h

Must there be an Acknowledgment of Sin?

Yes. I acknowledge my Transgressions, and my Sin is ever before me,ⁱ

Must we acknowledge the Fact of Sin?

Yes. Thus and thus have I done,^j

And the Fault?

Yes. I have done this Evil in thy Sight,^k

And the Folly of it?

Yes. O God, thou knowest my Foolishness,^l

Must we acknowledge the Original of Sin?

Yes. Behold I was shapen in Iniquity,^m

Must we acknowledge our selves odious to God’s Holiness because of Sin?

Yes. Behold I am vile,ⁿ

And obnoxious to his Justice?

Yes. If thou, Lord, should’st mark Inquities, O Lord, who shall stand?^o

Must there be an Apprehension of the Mercy of God in Christ?

Yes. There is Forgiveness with thee, that thou may’st be feared,^p

Must that invite us to repent?

Yes. The Goodness of God leadeth thee to Repentance,^q

Is that Evangelical Repentance which flows from a Hope of that Mercy?

Yes. Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand,^r

Can there be true Repentance where there is a Despair of Mercy?

No. Thou saidst there is no Hope; no, I have loved Strangers, and after them will I go,^s

Have we reason to hope for that Mercy?

Yes. Turn to the Lord, and he will have Mercy,^t

Must there be Contrition for Sin?

Yes. When they heard this they were pricked to the Heart,^u

Must we mourn for Sin?

Yes. Every one mourning for his Iniquities,^v

Must we mourn greatly for Sin?

Yes. Peter went out and wept bitterly,^w

Must we mourn after a godly sort?

Yes. Ye sorrowed according to God,^x

Must we mourn for Sin with an Eye to Christ?

Yes. They shall look on him whom they have pierced, and mourn,^y

Must we hate Sin?

Yes. I hate every false Way,^z

Must we loath our selves because of Sin?

Yes. I abhor my self, and repent in Dust and Ashes,^aa

Must we be ashamed of our selves before God?

Yes. I am ashamed, and blush to lift up my Face to thee my God,^bb

And must we humble our selves greatly in his Presence?

Yes. As the Publican that stood afar off, and would not lift up so much as his Eyes to Heaven,^cc

Must we confess our Sins?

Yes. For he that covers his Sins shall not prosper,^dd

And must we aggravate them?

Yes. I have sinned against Heaven, and before thee,^ee

And must we judge our selves because of them?

Yes. If we would judge our selves, we should not be judged,^ff

And must we cry earnestly to God for Pardon in the Blood of Christ?

Yes. God be merciful to me a Sinner,^gg

Must we turn from Sin?

Yes. Repent, and turn your selves from all your Transgressions,^hh

From our own Sin?

Yes. Return ye now every one from his Evil Way,ⁱⁱ

And must we turn to God?

Yes. If thou wilt return, O Israel, return unto me,^jj

Are Backsliders invited to return?

Yes. Return ye Backsliding Children,^kk

And should they accept the Invitation?

Yes. Behold we come unto thee, for thou art the Lord our God,^ll

In Repentance must there be a Change of the Mind?

Yes. Make ye a new Heart,^mm

Must there be a Change of the Way?

Yes. Cease to do Evil, learn to do Well,ⁿⁿ

Must there be a full Resolution against all Sin?

Yes. Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with Idols?^oo

And a full Resolution of new Obedience?

Yes. The Lord our God will we serve, and his Voice will we obey,^pp

And must we be serious in our Endeavours accordingly?

Yes. Bring forth therefore Fruits meet for Repentance,^qq