Question 87

Why is Repentance called Repentance unto life?

Repentance is called Repentance unto life, because it is a saving grace, and a necessary means for the attaining life and salvation; and that it might be distinguished from the sorrow of the world which worketh death: Then hath God also unto the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.^a If the wicked will turn from all his sins, &c. he shall surely live.^b For Godly sorrow worketh Repentance unto Salvation, not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.^c

Cannot any repent of their sins by the power of nature?

None can repent of their sins by the power of nature, because the hearts of all men and women by nature are like a stone, insensible of sin, and inflexible unto Gods Will; therefore there is need of the Spirit of God to work this grace in the heart which he hath promised to do in the New Covenant: A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you, and I will take away the heart of stone out of your flesh, and will give you an heart of flesh; and I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my Statutes, and you shall keep my Judgments, and do them.^d

Wherein doth Repentance unto life consist?

Repentance unto life doth chiefly consist in two things. 1. In turning from sin, and forsaking of it: Repent and turn your selves from all your Transgressions, so Iniquity shall not be your ruine.^e He that covereth his sins, shall not prosper, but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them, shall find mercy.^f 2. In turning unto God, Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his Thoughts: And let him return to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him; and to our God for he will abundantly pardon him.^g

What is requisite unto the turning from sin in Repentance?

It is requisite unto the turning from sin in Repentance, that there be, 1. A true sight of sin. 2. An apprehension of the Mercy of God in Christ. 3. A grief for sin. 4. A hatred of sin.

Wherein doth the true sense of sin consist which is requisite in Repentance?

The true sense of sin, which is requisite in Repentance, doth consist in such an inward feeling of our miserable & lost estate, by reason of the Wrath and Curse of God, and that eternal Vengeance of hell, which for our sins we are exposed unto, as putteth us into great perplexity, and trouble of Spirit; so that our Consciences being hereby pricked and wounded, can find no quiet, and take no rest in this Condition. When they heard this, they were pricked in their Hearts, and said unto Peter, and to the rest of the Apostles, Men and Brethren, what shall we do?^h

What need is there of this sense of sin, unto true Repentance?

There is need of this sense of sin unto true Repentance, because without this sense of sin, sinners will not forsake sin, nor apply themselves unto the Lord Jesus for Pardoning and healing, They that be whole, need not a Physitian, but they that are sick, I am not come to call the Righteous, but Sinners to Repentance?ⁱ

What apprehensions of Gods mercies are requisite in this Repentance?

There is requisite in true Repentance, that we have apprehensions of Gods mercies as he is both slow to anger, and of great kindness; as he is most ready to forgive, and most ready to be pacified unto Repenting sinners. And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD GOD, merciful and gracious, long suffering, and abundant in goodness and Truth. Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving Iniquity and Transgression and sin.^j Or despisest thou the Riches of his goodness, and forbearance, and long suffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to Repentance?^k

Can we apprehend pardoning mercy in God only through Christ?

We can truly apprehend pardoning mercy in God only through Christ, because God is so infinitely just and Jealous, and a consuming fire unto sinners out of Christ, and he is reconciliable to sinners, only through his Son, who hath given Satisfaction unto his Justice for sin: All things are of God, who hath reconciled us unto himself, by Jesus Christ.^l

What need is there of the apprehensions of Gods mercy in Christ, in order to our Repentance?

There is need of the apprehensions of Gods mercy in Christ, in order to our Repentance, because without the apprehensions of this mercy of God, and willingness through his Son to be reconciled unto us, upon conviction of, and contrition for sin, we shall either cast off our trouble, and run more eagerly unto the Commission of sin then before; or if we cannot cast of our trouble, we shall sink under tormenting despair, and be in danger of making away our selves as Judas did: whereas the apprehension of Gods mercy in Christ, is an encouragement to us to forsake our sins and to turn to him, and a means to affect our hearts with kindly and Godly sorrow for Sin.

Wherein doth true grief for sin consist?

True grief for sin doth consist in our Mourning and Sorrowing for sin, not only as it is like to bring ruine upon our selves, but chiefly as it hath brought dishonour upon Gods Name; not only as it hath wounded our Consciences, but chiefly as it hath wounded our Saviour; not only as without Repentance it is like to damn our Souls, but also as it hath debased and defiled our Souls. I will declare my Iniquity, I will be sorry for my sin.^m I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only have I sinned and done this evil in thy sightⁿ They shall look upon me, whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn.^o We have sinned: we are all an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy Rags.^p

May we not truly grieve for sin, though we do not weep for it?

1. If we can readily weep for other things, and cannot weep for sin, the truth of our grief is very questionable. 2. There may be true and great grief for sins without tears in them that are of a dry Constitution, and are not prone to weep upon any account; and as there may be in some, many tears in the eye, where there is no grief in the heart, so in others there may be much grief in the heart, where there are no tears in the Eye.

Why is grief for sin needful in Repentance?

Grief for sin is needful in Repentance, because it further works the heart unto a willingness to leave sin; because God doth require it, and hath promised mercy unto such as mourn for sin, Be Afflicted, Mourn, and Weep: Let your Laughter be turned to Mourning, and your joy into Heaviness.^q I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus, Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a Bullock unaccustomed to the Yoke: Turn thou me, and I shall be turned, for thou art the Lord my God. Surely after that I was instructed, I smote upon my Thigh: I was ashamed yea, even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth. Is Ephraim my dear Son? is he a pleasant Child, my bowels are troubled for him, I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the Lord.^r

What is hatred of sin which is requisite unto true Repentance?

Hatred of sin which is also requisite unto true Repentance, is an inward deep loathing and abhorrency of sin, as the most odious thing in the World, which is accompanied with a loathing of our selves, as being rendered by sin most loathsome and abominable in the eyes of God. Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings which have not been good, and shall loath your selves in your own sight, for your iniquities and your abominations.^s

Why is hatred of sin needful unto true Repentance?

Hatred of sin is needful unto true Repentance, because no affection of the heart will more engage us against sin, than our hatred; and when grief for sin is much spent, hatred of sin will put Weapons into our hands to fight against it.

What is that turning from sin, which is part of true Repentance?

The turning from sin, which is part of true Repentance doth consist in two things. 1. In a turning from all gross sins, in regard of our course and conversation. 2. In a turning from all other sins, in regard of our hearts and affection.

Do such as truly repent of sin, never return again unto the practice of the same sins which they have repented of?

1. Such as have truly repented of sin, do never return unto the practice of it, so as to live in a course of sin as they did before; and where any after Repentance do return unto a course of sin, it is an evident sign that their Repentance was not of the right kind. 2. Some that have truly repented of their sins, although they may be overtaken and surprized by temptations so as to fall into the commission of the same sins which they have repented of, yet they don’t lye in them, but get up again, and with bitter grief bewail them, and return again unto the Lord.

Wherein doth turning to the Lord (the other part of true Repentance) consist?

Turning to the Lord doth consist, 1. In making application of our selves unto him, for the pardon of sin, and his mercy, Have mercy upon me O God, according to thy loving kindness; according to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.^t 2 In our making choice of him for our God and chief Good, Behold we come unto thee, for thou art the Lord our God.^u They shall call on my Name and I will hear them: I will say it is my People, and they shall say, the Lord is my God.^v 3. In our delivering up our selves unto his Obedience. I thought on my ways: and turned my feet unto thy Testimonies.^w

What is that Obedience which we must deliver our selves up unto, in our returning to the Lord?

The Obedience which we must deliver up our selves unto, in our returning to the Lord, is the new obedience of the Gospel.

Why is the Obedience of the Gospel called New obedience?

The Obedience of the Gospel is called New Obedience, because it is required in the New Covenant, because it must proceed from newness of Spirit, the new nature, or new Principle of Grace and Spiritual Life, which is put into the Soul by the Spirit of God, But now we are delivered from the Law, that being dead wherein we were held, that we should serve in newness of Spirit?^x

When do we deliver up our selves unto this New Obedience?

We deliver up our selves unto this New Obedience. 1. When we have full resolutions and purposes of it, I have sworn and I will perform it, I will keep thy righteous judgements,^y And exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.^z 2. When we are diligent in our endeavours after it, that we may constantly walk in the ways of new obedience without offence either to God or Man, And they were both Righteous before God, walking in all the Commandements, and Ordinances of the Lord blameless.^aa And herein do I exercise my self to have always a Conscience void of offence, toward God, and toward Man?^bb

Do all that truly repent, fully perform New Obedience?

None that truly repent do here in this life perform New Obedience fully, without any failure and defect; but they diligently endeavour to do it; and wherein they fall short it is their grief and trouble, For I am ready to halt, and my sorrow is continually before me.^cc