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Chapter 15:
Of Repentance
15:1 Repentance unto life is an evangelical
grace (Zec_12:10;
Act_11:18),
the doctrine whereof is to be preached by every minister of the Gospel, as
well as that of faith in Christ (Mar_1:15;
Luk_24:47;
Act_20:21).
15:2 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 ( Psa_51:4;
Psa_119:128;
Isa_30:22;
Jer_31:18,
Jer_31:19;
Eze_18:30,
Eze_18:31;
Eze_36:31;
Joe_2:12,
Joe_2:13;
Amo_5:15;
2Co_7:11),
purposing and endeavouring to walk with Him in all the ways of His
commandments(2Ki_23:25;
Psa_119:6,
Psa_119:59,
Psa_119:106;
Luk_1:6).
15:3 Although repentance be not to be rested in, as any
satisfaction for sin, or any cause of the pardon thereof ( Eze_16:61-63;
Eze_36:31,
Eze_36:32),
which is the act of God’s free grace in Christ (Hos_14:2,
Hos_14:4;
Rom_3:24;
Eph_1:7);
yet it is of such necessity to all sinners, that none may expect pardon
without it (Luk_13:3,
Luk_13:5;
Act_17:30,
Act_17:31).
15:4 As there is no sin so small, but it deserves damnation( Mat_12:36;
Rom_5:12;
Rom_6:23),
so there is no sin so great, that it can bring damnation upon those who
truly repent (Isa_1:16,
Isa_1:18;
Isa_55:7;
Rom_8:1).
15:5 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 ( Psa_19:13;
Luk_19:8;
1Ti_1:13,
1Ti_1:15).
15:6 As every man is bound to make a private confession of his sins
to God, praying for the pardon thereof ( Psa_32:5,
Psa_32:6;
Psa_51:4,
Psa_51:5,
Psa_51:7,
Psa_51:9,
Psa_51:14);
upon which, and the forsaking of them, he shall find mercy (Pro_28:13;
1Jo_1:9):
so, he that scandalizeth his brother, or the Church of Christ, ought to be
willing, by a private or public confession, and sorrow for his sin, to
declare his repentance to those that are offended(Jos_7:19;
Psa 51:1-19; Luk_17:3,
Luk_17:4;
Jam_5:16),
who are thereupon to be reconciled to him, and in love to receive him (2Co_2:8).
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