TheNecessityofRepentance

byThomasBoston

TableofContents

TheNecessityofRepentance

Observation1:Thosewhomeetwithmorestrokesthanothersarenottobeaccountedgreatersinnersthanothers

Observation2:Thatthestrokeswhichanymeetwith,arepledgesofruintoimpenitentsinners.

Observation.3.Thestrokesthatothersmeetwith,areloudcallstotoustorepent

DOCTRINE.Sinners,excepttheyrepent,shallperish.

OBJECTION.Repentanceisplacedbeforefaith

QUESTION.Howarewetoactfaithinordertorepentance?

Therearefourthingsoccasionshame,andmeethere.

Fivethingsthatstirupthisself-loathing

ThereturningofthesouluntoGodfromsin

Turningfromsinhastheseproperties.

Application

MotivestoRepentance

TheDangerofDelayingRepentance

TheCaseoftheThiefontheCrossNoArgumentforDelayingRepentance

TheNecessityofRepentance

LUKE13:5.

Itellyou,Nay:butexceptyerepent,yeshallalllikewiseperish.

WHENweconsidertheaboundingsinandhardnessofheartprevailingunderapreachedgospel,itmustneedsletussee,thatthedoctrineofrepentanceisbothnecessaryandseasonable,topluckthebrandsoutoftheburning;orifthatwillnotdo,toleavemenwithoutexcuse.Sinnersstaveoffrepentance,asiftheywereresolvedtopersistinsincomewhatwill,oratleastashaltingbetwixttwoopinions:Buthereisaperemptorydecisionofthecaseinthistext,"Itellyou,Nay:butexceptyerepent,yeshallalllikewiseperish."

Inthesewordswehavetwothings.

1.Anabuseofadispensationofprovidencecorrected:"Itellyou,Nay."SomehadtoldourLordthenewsofPilatetheRomangovernor'sfallingonsomeGalileans,withhissoldiers,andkillingthem,whiletheyweresacrificing.Itseemsthetellersofthisnews,orothersinthecompany,wereapttothink,thattheseweresinnersbeyondothers,becauseanunordinaryjudgmenthadfallenonthem.OurLordtellsthem,thatitwouldnotbearsuchaconclusion.Heputstheminmindofanotherremarkableprovidence,viz.thetowerofSiloaminJerusalemitsfallingonandkillingeighteenpersons:buthereheshewsthatthisdidnotbefalthem,becausetheyweregreatersinnersthanalltherestinJerusalem;naytherewereasgreatsinnersasthose,whichmissedthatstroke,andotherslikeittoo.

2.Therightuseofthedispensationinstructed:"Butexceptyerepent,yeshallalllikewiseperish."Therightuseistolearnrepentancefromtheruinofothers;ifothersgiveusanexampleattheirowncost,thatwetakeheedtoitandimproveittoourrepentanceandreformation.Thisistheimportoftheparticlebut.ThesewordsareaperemptorycertificationgiventosinnersbyourLord.Andthepropositioninitsownnatureincludesatwofoldcertification.

1st,Acertificationofruinuponimpenitence.Sinnersgoonintheircourse,yethopethatallmaybewell.No,saysourLord,deceivenot

yourselves;forifyedonotrepent,thereisnohopeofsavingyou.Thereishere,

(1.)Thematteronwhichthecertificationisgiven,"Exceptyerepent;"i.e.Ifyedonotrepent,ifyebenotdulyhumbledforyoursins,andsincerelyturnfromthem.Ifyehardenyourheartsunderyourguilt,keepstillyoursinfulcourses,andrefusetoletthemgo,theywillruinyou.

(2.)Thethingcertified,whichisperishinglikewise;notperishinginthatverymanner,butyeshallperishassurelyastheydid.ThejudgmentsofGodshallpursueyou,andyeshallperishforever.

(3.)Theextentofthecertification,"All—perish."Thisclearstheperishingtobemeantofeverlastingdeath.Q.d.Thoughsignaltemporaljudgmentsdopursueallthatareimpenitent,yeteternalpunishmentwill;noimpenitentsinnershallescapethat,howevertheymayescapetemporalstrokesofsignalvengeance.

(4.)Theperemptorinessofit.Thisappearsintwothings.1.Thatsolemnassertion,"Itellyou,"supposedtoberepeatedinthelastclause.TakeitoutofthemouthoftheLordhimself,thatyeshallperishexceptyerepent.Q.d.Thishasbeentoldyoubymany,butyewouldnotbelieve:butnowItellityououtofmyownmouth.AndtohearthisoutofthemouthoftheSaviour,maystrikeasinnerwithconcern,andlethimsee,thatChrist'sbloodwillneverbelaidoutonapersoncontinuingimpenitent,tosavehimfromdeath.2.IntherelationintimatetobebetweenthepunishmentofthosesosignallysmittenbythehandofGod,andthefuturepunishmentofallimpenitentsinners;theformerisapledgeofthelatter.Thisisintimatedbytheparticlelikewise.

2dly,Acertificationoflifeandrepentance.ThisisimpliedhereasGen.2:17.Godhasmadeassureconnectionbetwixtrepentanceandlife,asbetwixtimpenitenceanddeath.Beyoursinsneversogreat,ifyourepentofthem,andturnfromthem,theyshallneverbeyourruin.

BeforeIcometothemainpointIdesign,Ishalllaybeforeyousomeobservationsfromthewords.

Observation1:Thosewhomeetwithmorestrokesthanothersarenottobeaccounted

greatersinnersthanothers

Obs.1.Thatthosewhomeetwithmoresignalstrokesthanothers,arenottherefore,noraretobeaccountedgreatersinnersthanothers.TheLordsparessomeasgreatsinners,ashesignallypunisheth,Itellyou,nay.

ReasonsofthisdispensationofProvidence.

1.BecauseofGod'ssovereignpowerandabsolutedominion,whichhewillhavetheworldtounderstand:Matth,20:15."IsitnotlawfulformetodowhatIwillwithmineown?"ThusourLordaccountsforthedispensationoftheman'sbeingbornblind,John9:3.Allmenhavethatinthemandaboutthem,whichmaymakethemliabletotheheavieststrokesthatanyofthechildrenofmenmeetwith;Andthereforewhateveranysuffer,theLorddoesthemnowrong,sincehepunishesthemlessthantheiriniquitydeserves:butamongstmanywhomjusticemaystrike,sovereignitypicksoutsome,andcausesthemtosmart.Andwhomaysay,"whatdostthou?"

2.Becausewearenowunderthemixeddispensationofprovidence;nottheunmixed,reservedtoanotherworld,whenallmenshallbeputintotheirunalterablestate.Now,hereuntothisisveryagreeablethatGodsignallypunishsomeofasociety,whileothersasguiltydoescape,thatthewholemay,withDavid,Psal.101:1,"singofmercyandjudgmenttoo."Andthusthedispensationofdiverscoloursisheldupintheworld,asadisplayofthemanifoldwisdomofGod.

3.BecausethemercyofGodtosomeismagnifiedbyhisseverityonothers.Asblacksetbywhitemakesthewhiteappearthebetter;soGod'sseverityagainstsome,maybealooking-glasstoothers,whereintheymayseehowmuchtheystandobligedtofreegraceandmercy,Rom.11:22.Menareneverfairertoprizehealthinthemselves,thanwhentheyseeotherstossedonsickbeds;nortoprizetheexerciseofsenseandreason,andothermercies,thanwhentheyseewhatmiserableandpitifulsights

theyarethataredeprivedofthese.AndthisshouldmakefolkpatientandthankfulunderthestrokesoftheLord'shand,becauseifhetakeawayamercy,healthforinstance,orperhapsamemberorlimboftheirbody,beingtakenaway,itmaybemoreserviceableforhim,thanwhentheyhadit,insofarasitshallservetomagnifythemercyofGodtoothers,thatseeandnoticethehandoftheLord.SeeMatth.21:3.

4.Becauseinverysignalstrokesverysignalmerciesmaybewrappedup.SoitwasinJoseph'scase;therewasaverysingularblessingontheheadofhimthatwasseparatedfromhisbrethren.Job'stroubleswerebutadarkhourbeforeaverygloriousday.ThehaltJacobgotinhisthigh,wasmoreexcellent,asabadgeofhiswrestlingwiththeangel,thanEsau'sretinueoffourhundredmen.

5.Lastly,Becausethisdispensationisinsomesortnecessarytoconfirmusinthebeliefofthejudgmentofthegreatday.Godpunishessomeremarkably,thattheworldmayseethatthereisaGodthatjudgethontheearth;hedoesnotsopunishall,thatmenmaybeassuredthatthereisajudgmenttocome.Ifnonewerepunishedhere,theworldwouldimprovethatforAtheism;ifallwerepunished,itwouldbeimprovedtoSadducism.

USE1.Thenlearnthatunordinarystrokesmaybefallthosethatarenotunordinarysinners;andthereforebenotrashinyourjudgmentconcerningthestrokesthatothersmeetwith.Itistrue,whateverweorothersmeetwith,itisdeservedattheLord'shand;andwhenGodfollowsanunordinaryseensinwithanunordinaryjudgment,asinthecaseofKorah,Dathan,andAbiram,itisnobreachofcharitytojudgethatthatstrokecomesforthatsin.Butwhenpeople,inwhoseconversationyeseenosignalsin,meetwithsignalstrokes,bewareofharshjudging.ForinthewayoftheLord'sdispensation,somewillmeetwithasignalstrokeforsomesin,suchastheworldwouldthinklittleornothingof,iftheyknewit.

2.ThenadorethemercyofGodtoyou,andwonderathissparingyou,whenyeseeotherssmartunderthehandofGod,whichyedonotfeel.Acknowledge,thatwhateverothersmeetwith,thesamemighthavebeenyourlot,iftheLordhaddealtwithyouasyedeserve;asthechurchdid,

Lam.3:22,"ItisoftheLord'smerciesthatwearenotconsumed,becausehiscompassionsfailnot."

Obs.2.Thatthestrokeswhichanymeetwith,arepledgesofruintoimpenitentsinners.

Reasonsofthisare,

1.BecausetheyshowhowhatefultoGodsinis,inwhomsoeveritis:Is.42:24,"WhogaveJacobforaspoil,andIsraeltotherobbers?didnottheLord,heagainstwhomwehavesinned?fortheywouldnotwalkinhisways,neitherweretheyobedientuntohislaw."Godhasnodelightinthemiseryofhisowncreatures,Ezek.18:23.Hemustthereforehaveamightyhatredagainstsin,inthatheissoheavyoftentimesontheworkofhisownhandsforit.Notonlyhisenemiessmartforsin,buthisdearfriends;yea,hisdearSonsmartedforit,whenitlayonhimbutbyimputation.Andthereforehowcanimpenitentsinnersthinktoescape?Luke23:31,"Foriftheydothesethingsinagreentree,whatshallbedoneinthedry?"

2.BecausetheyshewhowjustGodis.HeistheJudgeofalltheearth,andcannotbutdoright,Gen.18:25.Now,thoughjusticemaydelaythepunishmentofonelongerthananother,yetitwillnotallowtopunishsome,andforevertospareothers,inthesamestate.Forthatwouldbemanifestpartiality,whichGodhateth,Ezek.18:20.Andthereforetheapostletellsus,2Thess.1:6.that"itisarighteousthingwithGodtorecompensetribulationtothemthattrouble"thesaints.

3.Becausewhateveranymeetwithinthewayofsin,isreallydesignedforwarningtoothers,asisclearfromthetext.See1Cor.10:11,12.Andtheythatwillnotbetaughtbytheexampleofothers,mayexpecttobemadeexamplestoteachothers,asLot'swifewas.Butthewisewillhavetheireyesintheirhead,whileimpenitentsinnerspassonandperish,asthosethatwillnottake,warning.Henceitcomestopass,thatthestrokeafaroffnotprevailing,isoftentimesbroughtnearerhome.

4.Lastly,Becauseallthosestrokeswhichsinnersmeetwithinthislife,

arethespittingsoftheshowerofwraththatabidestheimpenitentworld,afterwhichthefullshowermaycertainlybelookedfor.Asthejoysinbelievingarethepledgesofeternaljoy,flowingfromonefountainwithit;thefirst-fruitsofCanaan'sland,whichwillbefollowedwiththefullharvest:soalltheoutlettingsofGod'swrathonsinnershere,arethepledgesofeternalwrath,andfirst-fruitsofhell,whichwillbefollowedwiththeharvestofmisery,beingthesameinkind,Rev.20:14.

USE1.BenotunconcernedspectatorsofalltheeffectsofGod'sangerforsingoingabroadintheworld;foryourpartandmineisdeepinthem.Thereisnoneofthembutsaystous,asinthesamecondemnation,"Exceptyerepent,yeshallalllikewiseperish."Ohowunconcernedlydomanylookonthemiseriesofothers,howfararetheyfromtakingalessontothemselvestherefrom!Butahardheartandsearedconscience,whichcannotbeawakenedbythedispensationsofprovidencefarofffromthem,dobutinvitetheheavystroketofallonthemselves.

2.Consider,Oimpenitentsinners,howcanyeescape,whenyourruinisinsuredbysomanypledgesthereoffromtheLord'shand,whileyegooninsin?WhenasinnergoesoutofGod'sway,heleaveshissoulinpawnforhisreturnbyrepentance;buttheimpenitentsinnerneverreturnstoloosehispawn,andsolosesit.WhenGodletsoutanyofhiswrathinanymeasureonthechildrenofmen,thatisGod'spawnforhisbringingeternalwrathontheimpenitent;andwemaybesure,thathowevercarelesswebeofourpawns,Godwillnotlosehis.Thereforeconsideryourways,andrepent.

Obs.3.Thestrokesthatothersmeetwith,areloudcallstotoustorepent

Obs.3.Thestrokesthatothersmeetwith,areloudcallstotoustorepent.Thatisthelanguageofalltheafflictingprovidenceswhichweseegoingonintheworld.Toconfirmthis,consider,

1.Goddoesnotstrikeoneforsinwithavisiblestroke,butwithaneyetoall.ThereasonwhichGodgivesinhislawforpunishingsome

transgresssorsseverely,is,that"allIsraelmighthear,andfear,anddonosuchthing."IntheinfancyoftheJewishchurch,heconsumedNadabandAbihuwithfire,Lev.10:2comparedwithver.9.IntheinfancyoftheChristianchurch,AnaniasandSapphirawerestruckdeadforalie.Whyallthis,buttobeawarningtoallthatshouldcomeafter?

2.Therebywemayseehowdangerousathingsinistobeharboured;andifwewilllookinward,wemayeversee,thatthereissininusalsoagainsttheGodofIsrael.Ifwesawonestungbyaserpentwhichhehadtakenup,wouldnotwequicklythrowawayonewhichwehadtakenuptoo,lestweshouldfarenobetter?Howcanwethinktoprosperinthatway,whereweseeitgoessoveryillwithothers?

USE1.Wemayseethatnonegoonimpenitentlyinasinfulcourse,butoverthebellyofthousandsofcallsfromProvidencetorepent,besidesallthosetheyhavefromtheword.Lookabroadintotheworld,Osinner,andconsiderhowmanyhavefallenintoruin,andarestillfallingbytheiriniquity.Asmanyasthereareofthese,somanymouthsaretherecallingtheetorepent,andturnfromthysin."WhodideverhardenhimselfagainstGod,andprosper?"Anddostthouthink,thatthycaseshallbeanexceptiontothegeneralrule?No;somanywitnessesgivetheirtestimonytothee,that"exceptthourepent,thoushaltlikewiseperish."

2.Impenitencyunderthegospelcannothavetheleastshadowofexcuse.ThecallsofProvidencecommontothewholeworld,aresufficienttoleavetheveryheathenswithoutexcuse,Rom.1:20:howmuchmoreshallthecallsofthewordandProvidencetoomakeusinexcusable,ifwedonotrepent?Sinnersmakemanyshiftsforthemselves,topreservethelifeoftheirlusts,andtokeepthemselvesfromthisunpleasantexercise:buttheywillbebutfig-leafcoversbeforetheLord.

3.HowmuchmoredostrokesfromthehandoftheLordonourselvescallustorepent?Hos.2:6,7,"Thereforebehold,Iwillhedgeupthywaywiththorns,andmakeawall,thatsheshallnotfindherpaths.Andsheshallfollowafterherlovers,butsheshallnotovertakethem;andsheshallseekthem,butshallnotfindthem:thenshallshesay,Iwillgoandreturntomyfirsthusband,forthenwasitbetterwithmethannow."WhatAbsalom'sdesignwasinburningJoab'scorn-field,isthedesignof

afflictingprovidences.AndthereforeimpenitencyandhardnessofheartunderthestrokesoftheLord'shand,ishighlyaggravated,Jer.5:3.Everycrossthatwemeetwith,isachargefromheaventoturnfromoursinfulcourse,andfromtheparticularillsofourway.

Icomenowtotheprincipaldoctrineofthetext.

DOCTRINE.Sinners,excepttheyrepent,shallperish.

DOCTRINE.Sinners,excepttheyrepent,shallperish.Thisisanexceptwithoutanyexception.Bewhotheywill,iftheybesinners,theymustrepentorperish.Allaresinners,andbysindepartfromGod;andtheymustcomebackagaintohimbyrepentance,elsetheyareforeverruined.Betheysinnersofagreaterorlessersize,theymustbepenitentsinners,orithadbeenbetterforthemtheyhadneverbeenborn.

Indiscoursingthisdoctrine,Ishall,

I.Explainthenatureofrepentance.

II.Apply.

I.Ishallexplainthenatureofrepentance.Andherewemayconsider,

1.Whatitisinitsgeneralnature.

2.Howitiswroughtinthesoul.

3.Thesubjectoftruerepentance.

4.Thepartsofrepentance.

FIRST,Wemayconsiderwhatrepentanceisinitsgeneralnature.Itisasayinggrace:2Tim.2:25,"Inmeeknessinstructingthosethatopposethemselves;ifGodperadventurewillgivethemrepentancetotheacknowledgingofthetruth."ItisagracegivenusofGodfreely,enablinganddisposingasoultoalltheactsofturningfromsinuntoGod;anditis

saying,asinitsownnaturedistinguishingamanfromahypocrite,andhavingasureconnectionwitheternalsalvation.Tounfoldthismoreparticularly,consider,

1.Itisnotatransientaction,asPapistsandsomeignorantcreaturesimagine,asifasighforsin,anactofsorrowforit,aconfessionofitwitha"Godbemercifultomeasinner,"wererepentance.No,no;thesemaybeactsofrepentancewhiletheyproceedfromatrulypenitentheart.Butrepentanceitselfisnotapassingact,butanabidinggrace,Zech.12:10;acontinuingframeanddispositionofthesoul;aprinciplelyingdeepintheheart,disposingamantomournforandturnfromsinonalloccasions.

2.Itisnotapassingworkofthefirstdaysofone'sreligion,assomeprofessorstakeittobe;butagraceintheheart,settingonetoananswerableworkingallthedaysofhislife.Itisaspringofwatersofsorrowintheheartforsin,whichwillspringuptherewhilesinisthere,thoughsometimesthroughhardnessofheartitmaybestoppedforawhile.Theythatlookonrepentanceasthefirststageinthewaytoheaven,andlookingbacktothesorrowfulhourswhichtheyhadwhentheLordfirstbegantodealwiththem,reckonthattheyhavepassedthefirststage,areinadangerouscondition.Andwhosoendeavoursnottocarryontheirrepentance,Idoubtiftheyeveratallrepentedyet.AswhenMoseshadsmotetherockinthewilderness,andthewatersbegantogushout,thosewatersran(itisthought,1Cor.10:4.)andfollowedthemwhileinthewilderness:sotheheartfirstsmittenwithrepentanceforsinatthesoul'sfirstconversiontoGod,thewoundstillbleeds,andisneverbounduptobleednomore,tillthebandofglorybeputaboutitinheaven,Rev.21:4.

Henceinitialandprogressiverepentance,thoughtheformerbetherepentanceofasinner,thelatterofasaint,arenomoredifferentkindsofrepentance,thanthesoul'svirginlovetoChrist,andtheirlovetohimthroughthecourseoftheirspiritualmarriagewithhim;orthanfaithinitsfirst,andafteractings.Butasthemid-dayandeveningsunarethesamewiththemorningsun,soarethese;thoughtherisingmorningsunmaybemostnoticedbythetraveller,whohavingtravelledinthenight,wastherebybroughtfromdarknesstolight.

3.Itisnotacommongrace,butaspecialsavingone.Menmayhavearepentancefortheirsin,gnawingtheirconsciences,andtormentingtheirhearts,whichtheywillcarryoninhellthrougheternity:beingonlythefirstmovingsoftheworminthesoulthatneverdieth:asJudas'srepentanceseemstohavebeenSimonMagus'sandPharaoh's.Theymaybitterlyruetheirsin,asEsau,Gen.27:34whonevertrulyrepentofit,Heb.12:17;andthestonyheartmaybebrokeninathousandpieces,whileyeteverypieceremainsastone.Theymayhaveasuperficialsorrowforsin,andalightjoysucceedingit,whoseheartswereneverpiercedtothequick;andthereforethejoygoes,astheeffectsofascudofrainontheparchedground,Matth.13:20,21.Buttruerepentanceisarepentanceneverrepentedof,kindlyworkinginthesoul.

SECONDLY,Wemayconsiderhowrepentanceiswroughtinthesoul.Andheretwoquestionsmustbeanswered,andtwopointscleared,namely,

1.Whoworksrepentance,oristheauthorofit?AndthatisthesanctifyingSpiritofJesusChrist:Zech.12:13."AndIwillpouruponthehouseofDavid,andupontheinhabitantsofJerusalem,thespiritofgraceandofsupplications,andtheyshalllookuponmewhomtheyhavepierced,andtheyshallmournforhim,asonemournethforhisonlyson,andshallbeinbitternessforhim,asonethatisinbitternessforhisfirst-born."Sometimesnotoriousprodigalsbecometruepenitents;asapersecutingSaulturnedtobeapreachingPaul:sothattheworldisamazedwiththechange,andarereadytosayasinSaul'scase,1Sam.10:11."WhatisthisthatiscomeuntothesonofKish?IsSaulalsoamongtheprophets?Butthatquery,ver.12."Butwhoistheirfather?"givesarationalaccountofthematter.Allsortoftimbertodivinegraceisalikeeasytohew.AndforasmuchasthehouseofGodisordinarilybuiltoftheknottiestwood,publicansandharlotsenteringintothekingdomofGodbeforeScribesandPharisees,itmayplainlyappear,thatrepentanceisnottheworkofnature,butofgrace;notofmen'sownspirit,butChrist'sSpirit.

Thisisevidentfromtheword,Jer.13:21,"CantheEthiopianchangehisskin,ortheleopardhisspots?thenmayyealsodogood,thatareaccustomedtodoevil."ItistheLord'sownworkto"takeawaythestony

heart,andgiveanheartofflesh,"Ezek.36:26.ItistheofficeoftheexaltedMediatortogiverepentance,inwhosehanditistosendtheSpirit,Acts5:31.Ministersmaypreachrepentance,butcannotworkinitthemselves,andfarlessinothers.Theymaysowtheseed,butcannotmakeitgrow,1Cor.3:6,7.ItisbutaperadventureifGodgiverepentance,whentheyhavedonetheirutmost,2Tim.2:25.Butifatalltheirweaponsbemighty,itisthroughGod,2Cor.10:4.

2.BywhatmeansdoestheSpiritworkrepentance?Thatisbytheword,whetherreadorpreached.ThewordisthechannelwhereintheinfluencesoftheSpiritflow;andfromtheseithasitspiercing,melting,andheart-softeningvirtue,asthepoolofBethesdahaditshealingvirtuefromtheangel'stroublingthewater:Acts11:20,21."AndsomeofthemweremenofCyprus,andCyrene,whichwhentheywerecometoAntioch,spakeuntotheGrecians,preachingtheLordJesus.AndthehandoftheLordwaswiththem:andagreatnumberbelieved,andturneduntotheLord."Junius,whowasdeeplyplungedinAthiesm,wasbroughttorepentancebyreadingJohn1.inaNewTestamentwhichhisfatherhadpurposelylaiddowninhischamber,ifperhapshemighttakeitupandreadit.AugustinewasconvertedbyreadingRom.13:13,14."Letuswalkhonestlyasintheday;notinriotinganddrunkenness,notinchamberingandwantonness,notinstrifeandenvying.ButputyeontheLordJesusChrist,andmakenoprovisionfortheflesh,tofulfiltheluststhereof."Threethousandwefindwerewroughtonbyonesermon,Acts2.

Manyandvariousaretheoccasionsofrepentance,whichtheLordblessethforbringinghomethewordtothesoul,andthesoulbyituntoGod.Personalafflictionshavebeensointhecaseofmany,Hos.2:7.Thesightofstrokesonothershasbeenblessedtosome.ThefirstoccasionofLuther'sturningseriouswasafrightbytheviolentdeathofadearcompanionofhis.Nay,Godhasmadefallsintogrosssinsoccasionsofrepentanceuntomany,whereofthereareseveralinstances,asAchan,thethiefonthecross,&c.Flavelgivesanaccountofone,inthecaseofanattemptofself-murder.Augustineheardavoice,saying,"Takeup,andread."Nay,Godcanmakeadreaminthenightsuchanoccasion,Job33:15,16.Butthesearenotproperlythemeans,buttheoccasionswhichbringmentoconsideroftheword,whichisthetrueandpropermeans.

AndheretheSpiritoftheLordmakesuseofbothpartsoftheword.

1st,Thelaw,tobreakthehardheart:Jer.23:29,"Isnotmyword—likeahammerthatbreakeththerockinpieces?saiththeLord"ItgoesbeforelikeJohnBaptisttopreparethewayoftheLordintotheheart.AndtheSpiritoftheLordmakinguseofitinasoul,iscalled"theSpiritofbondage,"Rom.8:15.Andhereeachpartofthelawhasitsproperuse.

(1.)Thecommandsofit,toconvincethesoulofsin:Rom.7:7,Ihadnotknownsin,"saystheapostle,"butbythelaw:forIhadnotknownlust,exceptthelawhadsaid,Thoushaltnotcovet."Thecommandsofthelaw,heldforthtothesoulintheirspiritualityandvastextent,arethelooking-glasswhereinthesinnerismadetoseehisblackface,thesinsandsinfulnessofhisnature,heart,andlife,whichhemustrepentof.

(2.)Thethreateningsofit,toconvincethesoulofjudgment:Gal.3:10,"Asmanyasareoftheworksofthelaw,areunderthecurse:foritiswritten,Cursediseveryonethatcontinuethnotinallthingswhicharewritteninthebookofthelawtodothem."Thesecarriedhomeonthesoul,disturbitsrestinsin,andletthemanseethathehasbeensleepingwithinthesea-markofdivinevengeance,andsogivehimafrightfulwakening.Thesediscoverthedangerofsinfortimeandeternity,andtellhimthathemustturnoveranewleaf,elseheisruined.

2dly,Thegospel,tomeltthehardheartlikeafire,Jer.23:29,"Isnotmywordlikeasafire?saiththeLord;andsotobowandbenditfromsintowardsGod,"Zech.12:10,"AndIwillpouruponthehouseofDavid,andupontheinhabitantsofJerusalem,thespiritofgraceandofsupplications,andtheyshalllookuponmewhomtheyhavepierced,andtheyshallmournforhim,asonemournethforhisonlyson,andshallbeinbitternessforhim,asonethatisinbitternessforhisfirst-born."Thusthesoulthatwasdrivenbythelaw,iskindlyledanddrawnbythegospeltorepentance.Thelawservestomakeaterriblereelintheconscienceandaffections:butthegospelisChrist'skeytoopentheheart,andtoturnaboutthewillthathemaycomein,Gal.3:2.Thestormywind,andearthquake,maygobeforeinthelaw;butthestillsmallvoiceofthegospelisthatwhichtheLordisin.Thisisevident,ifyeconsider,

(1.)Thatrepentanceisthedoctrineofthegospel.Idoindeedthink,thatitcannotbedeniedbutthatthelawrequiresrepentanceasaduty,insofarasitbindstheapostatesinnertoreturntoGod:butinthemeantimeitgivesnohopeofmercytothepenitent,seeingitsconstantvoiceis,"Cursediseveryonethatcontinuethnotinallthingswhicharewritteninthebookofthelawtodothem."Butthegospelgivesthegladtidingsofplaceforrepentance,andshewshowtheapostatecreaturereturningwillbeaccepted.AndtherecanbenotruereturningtoGod,wherethereisnohopeofacceptance.

(2.)Repentanceisapromiseofthecovenantofgrace:Ezek.36:31,"Thenshallyerememberyourownevilways,andyourdoingsthatwerenotgood,andshallloathyourselvesinyourownsight,foryouriniquities,andforyourabominations."ItisnotonlythedutyofGod'select,buttheirprivilege,madeovertotheminJesusChrist,purchasedbyhisdeath,andbestowedonthembyvirtueofhisexaltation,Acts5:31.Andhence,asoneofthebenefitsofthatcovenant,itissealedinbaptism,Mark1:4.

Thesumofwhatissaidonthissecondhead,is,thatrepentanceisanevangelicalsoftnessofheart,andbentofspirittoturnawayfromsin,andtoturntoGod,wroughtinasoulbytheSpiritofChrist.TheSpiritofholinessbeinggiventoChristwithoutmeasure,heputsthesameSpiritinhiselectinthedayofhispower;whobyhisgracemeltstheheartforsin,andbendsitawayfromsintoholiness.

USE1.Repentanceisnotaman'stakinguphimself,inthepointofhisoutwardconversation.Itisonethingtoreformthelife,anothertoreformtheheart,bychangingthewill.Theformeriswithinthereachofmerenature,theotherisnottobeeffectedbutbyasupernaturalhand,Jer.31:18.Theformermaymakeoneapaintedsepulchre,thelattermakeshimanewcreature.

2.Legalrepentanceisnotruerepentance:andthereforethoughonehaveit,hemayperish;asPharaoh,Judas,&c.ItmakesafretfulrestlessconscienceundertheterrorofGod'swrathbutmeanwhileitleavesahardheart,gluedtosin.Thelawanditsterrorscomingintoasinfulsoul,mayraisethedustreadytochokethesinner,asinahousewhena

sweeping;butitwillneverbemadeclean,unlessthegospelhaveitsefficacyontheheart,asthewaterwhichlaysthatdust.Henceitcomestopass,thatsinnerssometimeshavesharpconvictions,butmeanwhiletheirlustsgrowasrampantaseverafter.

3.Seethefollyofdelayingrepentance,andnotstrikinginwiththemotionsoftheSpirit,whenonehasthem.Howdopeopleputoffrepentancefromtimetotime,asifitwerewhollyintheirpowertodoitatanytime!Buttheythatcannotcommandwindandtide,haveneedtofallinwiththemwhiletheyserve,leastiftheygo,theybelefthopeless.Odelaynot,lesttheSpiritoftheLordbeprovokedtodepart.

4.Lastly,Learnwhomyearetolooktoforrepentance.ItistheworkoftheLord'sSpirit;anduntohimyearetolookforhisgracetoloosethebandsofwickedness,tosoftenthehardheart,andtoturnyoutohimself,Jer.31:18.

Thirdly,Wemayconsiderthesubjectoftruerepentance,whatitis.Itisaconvincedbelievingsoul.Anunconvincedsinnercannotbeatruepenitent;forwhattheeyeseesnot,theheartruesnot.Neithercananunbelievingsinnerbeso;forwithoutfaiththeheartmayberentforsin,butnotfromit.

First,Thesoulwhereintruerepentanceiswrought,isaconvincedsoul:Job36:9,10,"Heshowoththemtheirwork,andtheirtransgressionsthattheyhaveexceeded.Heopenethalsotheireartodiscipline,andcommandeththattheyreturnfrominiquity."Acts2:37.38,"Nowwhentheyheardthis,theywereprickedintheirheart,andsaiduntoPeter,andtotherestoftheApostles,Menandbrethren,whatshallwedo?ThenPetersaiduntothem,Repent,andbebaptizedeveryoneofyouinthenameofJesusChrist,fortheremissionofsins,andyeshallreceivethegiftoftheHolyGhost."Thefirstparticularworkinthecreationwasmakinglight;andthelettinginanewlightbyconviction,isthefirstworkinthenewcreation.Godbeginshiswork,whereSatanendshis;whohavinggotthesoulasleepinthearmsofitslusts,shutsthewindows,anddrawsthecurtains,thatitmaysleepsound,tillitawakeninbell.ButtheSpiritoftheLordbyconvictionopensthem,andawakensthesinnerordinarily,ifnotalways,inafright.Hereconsider,

1.Howthisconvictioniswrought.Itisdonebytheerectingofacriminalcourtwithinthesinner'sownbreast,whichthemancannotabsenthimselffrom,morethanhecangooutofhimself.Hemuststayandanswer,unlessheprevailwiththejudgetoletfalltheprocess;as,alas!manydobysilencingtheirconsciencesonewayorothertotheirownruin.Andinthiscourt,

1st,TheSpiritoftheLord,awakeningthesleepyconscience,setsituponthebench,sothatthemanbecomeshisownjudge:John16:8,"Andwhenhe[theComforter]iscome,hewillreprovetheworldofsin,andofrighteousness,andofjudgment."Themansearchesandtrieshisownheartandlife,whichwasbeforeneglectedasthesluggard'sgarden.Butnoweverycornerthereofisransacked,andsecretthingssetinthelight.

2dly,Themanisconvictedasasinnerbythelaw.Hisnature,heart,andlifebroughttotheholylawandcomparedwithit,heisfoundevidentlytobeguiltyandatransgressor.Hencesaystheapostle,Rom.7:9,"Iwasalivewithoutthelawonce:butwhenthecommandmentcame,sinrevived,andIdied."Thelawasalooking-glassisheldbeforehiseyes,andheseeshisspots.Hisownconscienceisasathousandwitnessesagainsthim,andhecannotdenythecharge.Sohismouthisstopped,andhissinatlengthhasfoundhimout,Rom.3:19.

3dly,Themanissentencedandcondemnedbyhisownconscienceaccordingtothelaw,adjudginghimliabletodeath,eternaldeath,forhissins:Gal.3:10,"Cursediseveryonethatcontinuethnotinallthingswhicharewritteninthebookofthelawtodothem."Heisthereforeacondemnedmalefactorinhisowneyes,bythesentenceofthelawpronouncedagainsthim.Consider,

2.Theeffectsofthisconviction;whicharethese.

1st,Apainfulsenseofsin,anaffectingsightofit,Rom.7:9.forecited.Fornowthesoreislanced;andtheyseethosesins,andthatinsin,whichtheysawnotbefore;andtheireyesaffecttheirhearts.Aswhenthesunshinesintoahouse,themotesarediscovered,whichdidnotbeforeappear:soisithere.Andthesinwhichsatlightonthembefore,becomesaburdentooheavytothemtobear;fornowtheyarerousedoutoftheir

lethargy,andfeeltheirsores.Itisaburdenontheirspirits,whichsinksthem;ontheirbacks,thatbowsthemdown;ontheirheads,whichtheyarenotabletodischargethemselvesof.ThereforethesoulcomingtoChristisrepresentedasamanwithaburdenonhim:Psal.55:22,"CastthyburdenupontheLord,andheshallsustainthee."Hos.14:2,"Takewithyouwords,andturntotheLord,sayuntohim,Takeawayalliniquity;"(Heb.)Liftoffiniquityasaburden.

2dly,Terrorontheirhearts:Psal.9:20,"Puttheminfear,OLord;thatthenationsmayknowthemselvestobebutmen."Theconvincedjailor,amanwhoworeasword,fallsa-trembling,Acts16:29:fortheterrorofGodistoohighforthestoutestheart,thatknowsnotwhatitistofearthefaceofman.Thesoulthatwasfearlessbefore,becauseblindtoitsownhazard,nowthathiseyesareopened,ismagormissabib.ForwhatheartcanbestrongbeforeanangryGod,brandishingtheswordofafierylawovertheconscience,whichawakened,isthetenderestpartoftheman?

3dly,Legalsorrowforsin:Acts2:37,"Nowwhentheyheardthis,theywereprickedintheirheart."Therearestoundsofgriefthatgothroughtheirheartslikearrows,Psal.45:5;andtheseareverypiercing,Prov.18:14,"Thespiritofamanwillsustainhisinfirmity;butawoundedspiritwhocanbear?Themanseesnowthathehasbeenmurderinghisownsoul,andhegroansoutanelegyoverhisdeadself;whichisraisedthehigher,thathethoughthissoulwasalive,whenreallyitwasdead.Hecallshimselffoolandbeastfordoingashedid.Butwhatisverysad,thoughhisheartberentinpiecesforhissin,yetitisnotrentfromit.Whatgrieveshimthus,ispurelyselfish;hisseparationfromGod,withoutwhomheseeshecannotbehappy;andhisliablenesstohiswrathandcurse,whichheseeswillruinhimforevertolieunder.

4thly,Arackinganxietyhowtobedeliveredoutofthisstate:Acts2:37,"Nowwhentheyheardthis,theysaid,—Whatshallwedo?"Andheremanytimesfearandhopetaketheirseveralturnsinhisanxioussoul;sometimeshoping,sometimesdesponding,likeJonahinthewhale'sbelly,Jon.2:4,"ThenIsaid,Iamcastoutofthysight;yetIwilllookagaintowardthyholytemple."Convictionofsinwillmakewayforcareintothemostcarelesshead,andwillmakefolkbestowmanythoughtsontheneglectedsalvation,thatusednottobestowoneseriousthoughtupon

thebusiness.Andthiscarewillswallowupallothers,asthatofadrowningmantosavehislife.

USE1.Theunconvincedsinnerisanimpenitentsinner.Hearkenyeyoungones,andold,thathavelivedatease,andwithahaleheart,inrespectofyoursouls'state,allyourdays.Theymaysleepsoundindeed,whomthedevilisrockinginthecradleofanaturalimpenitentstate.Butyewillgetawakeningyet,eitherintimetobringyoutorepentance,orwhentimeisgone,andthereisnomoreplaceforrepentance,Jer.48:11,12,"Forexceptyerepent,yeshallperish."Ahpoorsinner,thouwastneveryetinthenextsteptorepentance.Thysorehasnotbeenlancedyet,thereforesurelythefilthymatterisneveryetcastoutbyrepentance.

2.Convictionsandlegalqualmsofconsciencearenotrepentance:fortheydobutqualifythesubjectforit,andthatinpartonly.TheseareverynecessarythingsIhavespokeofunderthishead;buttheyarebutliketheunripefruit,whichmustberipenedbytheworkofthegospelontheheart,andbroughttoaperfectionbythewarmsunofgospel-influences,erehethathasthemcanbeaccountedapenitentindeed.Orrather,theyareliketheblossomswhichgobefore,anddifferinkindfromthefruit,whichoftenfalloff,andnofruitfollowsatall.Folkmayhavehadthesemanydaysandyearssince,thatneverrepentedtothisday,Hos.6:4.Thefirst-fruitsoftheseconddeathmaybemistakenbymanyforthepangsofthenewbirth.Andthereforeyethathavehadthemconsiderwellwhatissuetheyhavehad;foritisnotenoughtohavebeeninthem,buttohavegotrightoutofthem.Wrongcuringofsomediseases,breedsothers,thatprovemortaltomany.

Therightissueoutofthemliesinthreethings.

1.Itliesinself-denial,orunselfingofthesoul,whenthesoulisshakenoutofitselfforjustificationandsanctificationtoo:Jer.31:18,"IhavesurelyheardEphraimbemoaninghimselfthus,Thouhastchastisedme,andIwaschastised,asabullockunaccustomedtotheyoke:turnthoume,andIshallbeturned;forthouarttheLordmyGod."Comparedwithver.19,"SurelyafterthatIwasturned,Irepented;andafterthatIwasinstructed.Ismoteuponmythigh:Iwasashamed,yea,evenconfounded,becauseIdidbearthereproachofmyyouth."Theyseetheheinousnessof

sin,andthecorruptionoftheirnaturetoo,soastheyconcludethemselvesutterlyunabletohelpthemselvesineitherofthesepoints,andsocomeofffromthemselves.

2.Itliesinfaith,orbelieving;incomingtoJesusChristforall,inpointofjustificationandsactiflcationtoo:Is.45:24."Surely,shallonesay,intheLordhaveIrighteousnessandstrength."Thesoulbeingturnedoffitsownbottom,comesandbuildsonhimforwhatitwants,andlookstohimforhisbloodandSpirit.Thus"thelawisaschool-mastertobringusuntoChrist,thatwemightbejustifiedbyfaith,"Gal.3:24.SeeJer.3:22,23.

3.Itliesinrepentance,orakindlymeltingoftheheartforsin,Jer.31:18.Zech.12:10asdoneagainstagraciousGod,whomtheheartisknittoinlove.Thesoulcomesfrombeforethethroneofjustice,whereitstoodweepingforitselfanditsownmisery,untothethroneofgrace,whereitstandsweepingforhavingoffendedsuchagraciousFather.

Theylandatthisthreefoldshore,whocomerightlyoutofthesedepths.Butmanyplungeupanddowninthemawhile,andlandagainjustinthesamesidetheywentinat.Somelandattheshore.

1.Offormality,oralegalwalk,2Tim.3:5."Havingaformofgodlinessbutdenyingthepowerthereof."Theychangetheirformerwaysbutretaintheiroldheart.Theygoindeedtoreligiousduties,buttheynevergooutofthemtoChrist.Theyactnotastheydid;butstilltheyhavetheoldprincipleofaction,actingfromself,andtoself;sothatthoughtheychangetheirwork,theystillworktotheoldmaster.Andthusmanycontinueinaprofessionofreligion,livingontheirduties,nevercomingtoChrist.Otherslandattheshore.

2.Oftheirformersecurity.Theyareneitherbetterinwardlynoroutwardly;buttheycomeoutoftheirqualmsofconscience,asoneoutofafever,returningjusttotheiroldwayofliving;aswasthecasewithFelix,Acts24:25.whosaidto"Paul,gothywayforthistime;whenIhaveaconvenientseason,Iwillcallforthee."Otherslandattheshore,

3.Ofprofanity;turningworsethanbefore:Mat.12:43,44,45,"Whentheuncleanspiritisgoneoutofaman,hewalkeththroughdryplaces,

seekingrest,andfindethnone.Thenhesaith,IwillreturnintomyhousefromwhenceIcameout;andwhenheiscome,hefindethitempty,swept,andgarnished.Thengoethhe,andtakethwithhimselfsevenotherspiritsmorewickedthanhimself,andtheyenterinanddwellthere:andthelaststateofthatmanisworsethanthefirst."Theirlustsdammedupforawhile,runwithmorevigourthaneverthereafter.

Secondly,Thesoulwhereinrepentenceiswrought,isabelievingsoul.Faithisthespringandsourseofrepentancesothatthoughthegraceoffaithandrepentancearegiventogetherandatonceinrespectoftime,yet,intheorderofnature,faithgoesbeforerepentance,andtheactingoffaithgoesbeforetheexerciseofrepentance.Andhethatwouldrepent,mustfirstbelieveinChristthathemayrepent.Iknowthatsometeachotherwise.ButthisisthedoctrineoftheScripturesandourCatechism.Toconfirmit,consider,

1.Thatfaithisabsolutelytheleadinggrace,andthefirstbreathingofaquickenedsoul:Heb.11:6,"WithoutfaithitisimpossibletopleaseGod;"thereforeitisimpossibletorepent,forthatisverypleasingtohim,Jer.31:20.SoJohn15:5,"Withoutme,"i.e.separatefromme,andthereisnounionwithhimbutbytheSpiritoffaith,"yecandonothing"acceptabletoGod,thereforeyecannotrepent.

2.Itisparticularlytheleadinggracetorepentance:Zech.12:10,"Theyshalllookuponmewhomtheyhavepierced,andtheyshallmournforhim,asonemournethforhisonlyson."Thusitisrepresentedinfact,Acts11:21,"Andagreatnumberbelieved,andturneduntotheLord."Ifrepentancebetheemptyingofthesoulbythedroppingofthetearsofgodlysorrow,itisfaiththatgeneratesthemintheheart.Itisfaiththatmeltsthehardheart,whichdroppethinrepentance.TheeyeoffaithfixesonGodinChrist,andthenthesoulturnstohimbyrepentance,Jer.3:22.

3.Thescriptureusuallyproposeththeobjectsoffaith,andpromisesofgrace,formotivestorepentance;therebydiscovering,thatitisbyabelievingapplicationofthese,thatasoulisbroughttorepentance:Jer.3:14,"Turn,Obackslidingchildren,saiththeLord,forIammarrieduntoyou."Ver.22,"Return,yebackslidingchildren,andIwillhealyourbackslidings:behold,wecomeuntothee,forthouarttheLordourGod."

Joel2:12,13,"Thereforealsonow,saiththeLord,Turnyeeventomewithallyourheart,andwithfasting,andwithweeping,andwithmourning.Andrendyourheartandnotyourgarments,andturnuntotheLordyourGod:forheisgraciousandmerciful,slowtoanger,andofgreatkindness,andrepentethhimoftheevil."Hos.6:1,"ComeandletusreturnuntotheLord:forhehathtorn,andhewillhealus;hehathsmitten,andhewillbindusup.Chap.14:1,"OIsrael,returnuntotheLordthyGod,forthouhastfallenbythineiniquity."NaytheverylawproclaimedonmountSinaiwithsomuchterror,isgraciouslyprefacedwithgospel-graceforfaithtoworkoninthefirstplace;"IamtheLordthyGod,"&c.AndthusthedoctrineoftheNewTestamentconcerningrepentanceisproposedtosinners,Matth.3:2,and4:17,"Repentye:forthekingdomofheavenisathand."

4.Lastly,Thenatureofrepentanceplainlyteacheththis.ItisacordialturningfromsintoGod:butisitpossibletoturntoGod,butthroughChrist?John14:6,"Iamtheway,andthetruth,andthelife:nomancomethuntotheFather,butbyme."AndisthereanywayofcomingtoChrist,butbyfaith?ThesoulthenthatwouldturnandgotoGodagainbyrepentance,mustneedstakeChristbyfaith,bytheway.Thepeopleindeedwept;butdidtheyputawaythestrangewives,orsettoit,tillShechaniahcried,Ezra10:2,"WehavetrespassedagainstourGod,andhavetakenstrangewives,ofthepeopleoftheland:yetnowthereishopeinIsraelconcerningthisthing?"Theymustnotbeonlyprisonersoffear,butofhopethatwillturn,Zech.9:12,"Turnyetothestronghold,yeprisonersofhope."Repentanceisakindlyhumiliationandmourningforsin;butthefaithlessheartmayroarunderlaw-horror,willneverkindlymournbutundergospel-influences.

OBJECTION.Repentanceisplacedbeforefaith

OBJECTION.Repentanceisplacedbeforefaith,Mark1:15;andsometimesrepentanceonlyismentionedtonaturalmenasthewaytosalvation,asinourtext,andActs2:38,and3:19.ANSWER,(1.)Repentancenodoubtisabsolutelynecessarytosalvation;andnoman

needspretendtofaith,thatdoesnotrepent,fortheyareinseparable.Butthatwillnomoreinfertheprecedencyofrepentancetofaith,thanthat,Heb.12:14,willinfertheprecedencyofholinesstoit.Now,thisisallourtextaimsat.(2.)Repentancebeingtheend,andfaiththemeanstothatend,nowondertheybesoplaced:fortheendisfirstinone'sintention,yetthemeansarefirstinpractice.SoMark1:15.Christcommandssinnerstorepent;buttheninordertorepenting,hecommandsthemtobelieve.SoActs2:38,believingisimpliedinthecommandtobebaptized.Andtherefore,speakingoftheresultofthiswork,ver.44,itissaid,"Andallthatbelieved,"&c.SoActs3:19,itisimpliedinbeingconverted;comparedwithHeb.3:12,"Takeheed,brethren,lesttherebeinanyofyouanevilheartofunbelief,indepartingfromthelivingGod,"Andthatthisisthetruereasonofthiswayofspeaking,namely,thatrepentanceistheend,andfaiththemeans,isclearfromActs20:21,"Testifying—repentancetowardGod,andfaithtowardourLordJesusChrist:"forthatScripturecanbearnoothermeaning,withoutdestroyingthatfundamentaltruth,thatChrististhewaytotheFather.Johnpreachedrepentance,Mark1:4,buthowdidhedirectthemtoit?Acts19:4,"Johnverilybaptizedwiththebaptismofrepentance,sayinguntothepeople,thattheyshouldbelieveonhimwhichshouldcomeafterhim,thatis,onChristJesus."

USE1.Thenitisnotgospel-doctrine,thatChristwillreceivenonebuttruepenitents,orthatnonebutsuchhaveawarranttoembraceChristbyfaith:Rev.21:17,"AndtheSpiritandthebridesay,Come.Andlethimthathearethsay,Come.Andlethimthatisathirst,come:andwhosoeverwill,lethimtakethewateroflifefreely."Theevilofthisdoctrineis,thatitsetssinnerstospinrepentanceoutoftheirownbowels,andtofetchitwiththemtoChrist,insteadofcomingtohimbyfaithtogetit.AndithinderssensiblesinnersfromcomingtoChrist,askeepingthembacktilltheybepersuadedthattheyhavetruerepentance.Isay,persuaded;forhowcanasinnercometoChristtillhebepersuadedhehasawarrantsotodo?IfChristwillreceivenonebutsuchashavetruerepentance,thennoneotherareinvitedtocome;forsurelythosethatareinvited,willbewelcomeupontheircoming:ifnoneotherbeinvited,thenimpenitentsinnersarenotboundtocometoChrist;fornoneareboundtocome,butthosethatareinvited;"forwherethereisnolaw,thereisno

transgression."However,nonearehereinChristbyfaith,butthereupontheybecometruepenitents;andnonebuttruepenitentswillseeheaven.

2.Thenforsensiblesinnerstothinkthattheydarenotandoughtnottobelieve,andembraceChrist,tilltheybemoredeeplyhumbled,anddomorethoroughlyrepentoftheirsins,andinaword,bemorefittoreceivehim,isbutagildeddeceit,andatrickofthefalseheart,tomakethesoulstaylongintheplaceofthebreakingforthofchildren,anddiethereatlength.TheScriptureholdethforthquiteotherdoctrine:Rev.3:20."Behold,Istandatthedoor,andknock;ifanymanhearmyvoice,andopenthedoor,Iwillcomeintohim,andwillsupwithhim,andhewithme."Is.55:1."Ho,everyonethatthirsteth,comeyetothewaters,andhethathathnomoney;comeye,buyandeat,yea,come,buywineandmilkwithoutmoney,andwithoutprice."Itisonethingwhatasinnerwilldo;another,whathemayandoughttodo.Itisverytrue,therearemanywhowillnevercometoChrist,iftheybenotmademoresensibleoftheirneedofhimthantheyare.Butallthathearthegospelmayandoughttocome,betheircasewhatitwill;andthosethatcomenot,willbecondemnedfortheirnotcoming,John3:19.Thereforeleteverysensiblesinnerunderthattemptationthink,thatheisinthecaseofadrowningman,whoifhestanddisputingwhetherhemaycatchholdoftheropereachedtohimtohalehimtoland,awavemaycomeandsweephimaway;andthereforewithoutdisputinghemusttakeholdofit.

3.Thisshewsthetruewaytodealwithahardheart,tosoftenit,andbringittoheartyrepentance.Itistobelieve.Yemustdolikethosefowls,thatfirstflyup,andthencomedownontheirprey;firstsoaraloftinthewayofbelieving,andthencomedownintruehumiliation:Zech.12:10.—"Theyshalllookuponmewhomtheyhavepierced,andtheyshallmournforhim."Onemayotherwisetoillonginvainwithahardheart.Unbeliefwilllockuptheheart,asthewaterswithahardfrost;forhardthoughtsofGodsetthesoulatadistancemoreandmorefromhim,whenthebelievingoftheproclaimedpardontouchestherebels'hearts,andmakesthemcomein.

4.Lastly,Themorefaiththemorerepentance;asthefullerthespringis,thestreamsrunwiththemorevigorouscurrent.Accordingtoyourfaithbeituntoyou,istheruleofthedispensationofgrace.Forfaithisthe

provisorforallothergraces,asbeingtheconduitpipebywhichgracecomesfromthefountainofgracetothesoul;sothatitfailing,allfails;anditmovingvigorously,therestdosotoo.

QUESTION.Howarewetoactfaithinordertorepentance?

ANSWER1.Firmlybelieve,thatwhateveryourguiltbe,GodisreconciledtoyouinChristJesus;thatthereishopeofyourcase,ifyecanattaintothewaylaidoutforbetteringit.YouhaveGod'swordforthis:Is.1:18."Comenow,andletusreasontogether,saiththeLord:thoughyoursinsbeasscarlet,theyshallbeaswhiteassnow;thoughtheyberedlikecrimson,theyshallbeaswool."Ezek.18:23."HaveIanypleasureatallthatthewickedshoulddie?saiththeLordGod:andnotthatheshouldreturnfromhiswaysandlive?"Thiswillquickenyourendeavoursafterthehappinessofyoursouls.Satanstrikesatthisfoundation,tokeepthesoulfromrepentance,manyways.Hewilltellyou,itcannotbethoughtthatGodcaneverlovethelikeofyou.ButtheLordsaiththecontrary:Hos.14:4."Iwillhealtheirbacksliding,Iwilllovethemfreely:formineangeristurnedawayfromhim."Again,Satanwilltellyou,thatyouwerenotelected,butmadefordestruction;thoughGodneversethimnoryouinthesecretsofhisdecrees:Deut.29:29."ThesecretthingsbelonguntotheLordourGod:butthosethingswhicharerevealedbelonguntous."Butwhydoeshetellyouallthis,buttomakeyoucareless?whichbeingdone,heknowsyoucannotrepent.

2.BelievethatJesusChristisbothableandwillingtosaveyoufromsinandfromwrath.Youhavegroundtobelievehisability:1John1:7."ThebloodofJesusChristhisSoncleansethusfromallsin."Heb.7:25."Heisabletosavethemtotheuttermost,thatcomeuntoGodbyhim,seeingheeverlivethtomakeintercessionforthem."Andyouhavealsogroundtobelievehiswillingness:Is.55:1.Rev.22:17.bothforecited.Thiswillsetyouastepfurtheron;andtrulythisbeingbelievedbyasensiblesinner,thebargainisalmostclosed.ThereforeSatanworksagainstthetossedsoul'sbelievingthis,totheendhemaynotcometoananchororrest,butmayplungeupanddowninthedepths,knowingnolandingplace.Hencethesehellishsuggestions,Whathaveyoutodowiththepromisesofgrace?theywillbemadeouttoothers,butnottoyou.ButseeActs2:39.comparedwithver.36.Hencealsothesuggestionofhavingsinnedthe

unpardonablesin.Butwhyisthatsinunpardonable?notthatthephysiciancannotorwillnotcureit,Heb.7:25.John6:37;butbecausethesinnerwillneverafterdesiretocometohim,butwillfullyandmaliciouslyrejectshim.Hencealsothatsuggestion,thatChristdiednotforhim.ButsurelySatanneversawtherollofthosewhomChristdiedfor,andknowsitnomorethanwe,Deut.29:29.forecited.Weoughtnottocallthatinquestion,butleavethatmattertotheLord.Itisplain,thatwearecommandedtobelieve,1John3:23.Letusdoso,andweshallhaveevidencesthatChristdiedforus.

3.Christhasgivenhisconsenttobeyoursinhisword;believeit;anddoyouconsenttobehis,acceptingofthecovenant,andofChristthereintobeyourheadandhusband.Takehiminallhisofficesasoffered;andsolemnlylaythewholeweightofyoursoul,forjustificationandsanctification,onhim.Layovertheburdenofyourguiltonhisblood,ofyourraginglustsonhisbloodandSpirit;confidentlytrustinginhimforsalvationfromsinandwrath.Youhavegoodgroundtodothis:Matt.22:4,"Allthingsareready:comeuntothemarriage."Is.26:3,4,"Thouwiltkeephiminperfectpeace,whosemindisstaidonthee;becausehetrustethinthee.TrustyeintheLordforever:forintheLordJehovahiseverlastingstrength."Chap.44:5,"Oneshallsay,IamtheLord's:andanothershallcallhimselfbythenameofJacob:andanothershallsubscribewithhishanduntotheLord,andsurnamehimselfbythenameofIsrael."Chap.45:24,"Surely,shallonesay,intheLordhaveIrighteousnessandstrength."Thisbeingdone,thebargainisclosedfortimeandeternity;Christisyours,andyearehis,andGodisyourGodinhim.Satanstrivesagainstthesoulhere;forheknows,thatifthisbedone,thepersonisnomorehis.Hencearethesesuggestions,Christisahardmasterthereisnolivingwith;thoughChristsaysthecontrary,Matt.11:28,29,30.Again,itisoversoonforthatseriouswork,Psal.95.Ifnoneofthesenorthelikewilldo,thenhewilltelltheperson,thatitispresumptionforhimtoofferatanysuchthing.Butthatisbutthedevil'sdoctrine,thatitispresumptiontodoit,sinceGodhascommandedit,1John3:23,"Thisishiscommandment,thatweshouldbelieveonthenameofhisSonJesusChrist."Anddowhatyewill,yecannotpleaseGodunlessyoudoit,John6:29,"ThisistheworkofGod,thatyebelieveonhimwhomhehathsent."Heb.11:6,"Withoutfaithitisimpossibleto

pleaseGod."Well,ifthesoulwillventure,heisreadytotellhim,hehadasgoodletitaloneastryitinvain,forChristwillneverreceivehim,norgivehisconsenttothebargain.ButSatanisaliar;forhehasgivenitalready:Matt.22:4,"Allthingsareready:comeuntothemarriage.Hos.2:19,"Iwillbetroththeeuntomeforever,yea,Iwillbetroththeeuntomeinrighteousness,andinjudgment,andinloving-kindness,andinmercies.Thesoulislikeatravellercometoadeepwater-side,overwhichliesabridgeappearingverythinandnarrow;itispouringonrainonthisside,itisfairweatheronthefarside;hewouldfainbeover;andwhileheismintingtotakethebridge,afalsefriendtellshim,thathewillnevergetover,thatthebridgewillbreakwithhim,orthathisfootwillslip,&c.Andthusthepoormanstands,sometimesputtingonhisfoot,sometimesdrawingitbackagain,tillthefloodrisingbehindhim,heseeshemustventureorperish.Soheventureswithatremblingheart,andgetssafeover,andseesthatitwasanenemythatmadehimsodistrustfulofthepassage.

4.Thisbeingdone,believethatChristisyours,Cant.2:16;thatGodisreconciledtoyouinhim;thatyoursinsarepardonedforChrist'ssake,andyouarenomoreundercondemnationforthem,Rom.8:1;thatyouarenowinastateofpeacewithGod,andsafeunderthecovertofblood.Thiswilleffectuallymeltyourheartsintosincererepentance.Andthestrongeryourconfidencebeinthispoint,thefirewillbethemorekeentomeltthesoul.Satanwillopposeyouinthisalso,thatraisingthedustofdoubtsandfears,yourhandsmaybefeeblethatshouldfightagainstyourlusts,thelegsweakandtremblingwherewithyeshouldturnfromsinuntoGod.Butthemoreheweakensthat,themoreheserveshisownpurposeagainstyou.

5.Standuponthisshore,andlooktoyoursins,andSaviour,Zech12:10.Whenasoulhas,byabelievingapplicationofthebloodofChrist,passedthegulfofcondemnationandseesitselfsafeontheotherside,itstandsfairestforaheartymeltingforsin,andafreeandcordialturningfromituntoGod,Luke7:37,38,comparedwithver.47.Itisslavishfearthatmaybegreaterbefore,butitisfilialrelentingthatwillbegreatestthen.Thewatersofsorrowmaymakegreaternoisebefore,buttheywillcomesweepingdownwithamorefullfloodthen,aswhenaheartythawcomes

afteralongfrost.

6.Lastly,Believingthepromiseofhisgrace,usethemeans.TherearemeansofGod'sappointmenttostirupasoultorepentance;namely,seriousmeditationsonthesinsofournature,heart,lip,andlife;theevilofitwithrespecttoGod,andtoourselves,&c.Rev.2:5,"Rememberfromwhencethouartfallen,andrepent."Psal.119:50,"Ithoughtonmyways,andturnedmyfeetuntothytestimonies."Therearepromisesofrepentance,Ezek.36:31,"Thenshallyerememberyourownevilways,andyourdoingsthatwerenotgood,andshallloatheyourselvesinyourownsight,foryouriniquities,andforyourabominations."Acts5:31,"HimhathGodexaltedwithhisrighthandtobeaPrinceandaSaviour,fortogiverepentancetoIsrael,andforgivenessofsins."Tobelievethepromisewithoutuseofthemeansispresumption;tousethemeanswithoutbelievingthepromise,isaselfishunsanctifiedwork.WhatGodhasjoined,eitheroftheseputsasunder,andsomustbefruitless.Godsaystousinthiscase,asuntoMoses,Exod.17:5,6."Goonbeforethepeople,andtakewiththeeoftheeldersofIsrael:andthyrodwherewiththousmotesttheriver,takeinthinehand,andgo.Behold,Iwillstandbeforethee,thereupontherockinHoreb;andthoushaltsmitetherock,andthereshallcomewateroutofit,thatthepeoplemaydrink."Themeansareastherook,thefaithofthepromisetherodofGod:thewaytogetthewaterwasbysmitingtherockwiththerod.

FOURTHLY,Letasconsiderthepartsofrepentance.Thesearetwo,namely,humiliationforsin,andturningfromsinuntoGod.Thesetwoputtogether,makeuptruerepentance.AccordinglytheScripturespeaksofrepentingofsin,2Cor.12:21."whichhavenotrepentedoftheuncleanness,"&c.;andlikewiserepentingfromsin,Heb.6:1,"Notlayingasidethefoundationofrepentancefromdeadworks,&c.SointheOldTestamentrepentanceisexpressedbytwowords;theonedenotingremorseandsorrow,Job42:6."WhereforeIabhormyself,andrepentindustandashes."Jer.8:6,"Nomanrepentedhimofhiswickedness,saying,WhathaveIdone?"theotherdenotingtheturningofthesoul,viz.fromsinuntoGod,Ezek.18:30."Repent,andturnyourselvesfromallyourtransgressions.

Buthoweverthesemaybedistinguished,theycannotbedividedintrue

repentance.Thetruehumiliationissuesalwaysinturning;andturningalwaysbeginsathumiliation.Henceveryoftenthewholeofrepentanceisexpressedbyreturning,andsometimesbyhumiliation,asLev.26:41,"Ifthentheiruncircumcisedheartsbehumbled,andtheythenacceptofthepunishmentoftheiriniquity."2Chron.33:12,"Andwhenhewasinaffliction,hebe-soughttheLordhisGod,andhumbledhimselfgreatlybeforetheGodofhisfathers."Wehavebothtogether,Joel2:12,13,"Thereforealsonow,saiththeLord,Turnyeeventomewithallyourheart,andwithfasting,andwithweeping,andwithmourning.Andrendyourheartandnotyourgarments,andturnuntotheLordyourGod:forheisgraciousandmerciful,slowtoanger,andofgreatkindness,andrepentethhimoftheevil."

1st,Tobeginwithhumiliation.Thisleadsthevaninthesinner'sreturntoGodbyrepentance.ThereisneverasoulcomesbacktoGod,butitcomesthelowwayofhumiliation.ThesinnergonefromGod,issetupagainsthim:butgraceputsdownthesinnerfromthatseat,andlayshimdownattheLord'sfootstool,wheretheLordtakeshimup:1Pet.5:6."HumbleyourselvesthereforeunderthemightyhandofGod,thathemayexaltyouinduetime."AsitwaswithBenhadad'sservants,1Kings20:31.32;soitiswiththeconvincedsinner:faithteachesthem,thattheKingofIsraelisamercifulKing;repentancegirdssackclothontheirloins,andropesontheirheads,andinthatposturebringsthemtohim.Now,inthishumiliationofthesoultherearethesefivethings.

First,Akindlysenseofsin,wherebythesoulseesandisdeeplyaffectedwithitssinsagainstaholy,graciousGod.Icallitso,todistinguishitfromthelegalconvictionsspokenofbefore,whichmakeaterriblereelintheconscienceandaffections;whereasthiskindlysoaksintotheheart.Theformerisatthebottominvoluntary,comesin,andiskeptonagainstthesinner'swill;becausethenaturalenmityoftheheartagainstGodisnotbroken;andmakesthemanlikeoneundergreatpain,whowouldgladlysleep,butstillthenewstoundsawakehim,andkeephimawake.Thelatterisvoluntary,itiswelcomein,andwelcometostay;becausetheheartisbroughtlow,andwouldfainbelowerbeforeaholyGod.Whenthelightappearsatachink,theywouldfaindrawthecurtains,andopenthewindows,thattheymaygetabettersightoftheirblackfaceandfoul

hands,Jer.3:18,19.Thissenseofsin,

1.Forthematterofit,is,

1st,Asenseoftheplagueoftheheart,orsinofthenature,1Kings8:38;Rom.7:7,8.Themanthatishumbled,seesthecorruptionofhisnature,himselftobeamassofcorruptionandconfusion.Hediscernsthebiasofhishearttothewrongside,theaversiontodogood,thepronenesstoevil,thatisinterwovenwithhisverynature.ThelightoftheLordshiningintohissoul,giveshimtheaffectingsightofthedistortionandpravitythatisinallthefacultiesofhissoul,theblindnessinhismind,rebellioninhiswill,andcarnalityinhisaffections.Thewantofthisisaflawintherepentanceofmany,ofwhomwemaysay,asLev.13:44,"Heisaleprousman,heisunclean:thepriestshallpronouncehimutterlyunclean,hisplagueisinhishead."Theyneverseethecorruptionoftheirnature,andsorepentnotofit.

2dly,Asenseofactualsins:Job36:9,"Thenhesheweththemtheirwork,andtheirtransgressionsthattheyhaveexceeded."Thesearethepoisonousstreamsflowingfromtheimpoisonedfountain:Mark7:21,22,"Forfromwithin,outoftheheartofmen,proceedevilthoughts,adulteries,fornications,murders,thefts,covetousness,wickedness,deceit,lasciviousness,anevileye,blasphemy,pride,foolishness."Sinnowliesatthedoor;forthosethingsthatwereburiedoutofsight,havearesurrection,andstandbeforehimasanexceedinggreatarmywhichhehasmusteredagainstHeaven.Sinscommittedmanyyearsbefore,willappearmorefreshandgreenthanthatdaytheywerecommitted.Whathejustifiedbeforeasnofaults,hewillbenowashamedof;andwhatwerereckonedtolerablefollies,willbeaccountedmonstrousimpieties.

3dly,Asenseoftheparticularidolofjealousy,whichthemanhasbeenmostapttobeledawaywith.Thesoulisnevertrulyhumbled,tilldeeplysensibleofitsweakside:Hos.14:3,"Ashurshallnotsaveus,wewillnotrideuponhorses,neitherwillwesayanymoretotheworkofourhands,Yeareourgods."Forthepenitentwillbeparticularlysetagainstthat,aswhatisparticularlyoffensivetoGod,Psal.18:22.Thisrighteyesmartsandpainshimsoexceedingly,thatnowhewouldgladlyhaveitpluckedout.AndasitdoesespeciallygrievetheLord'sSpirit,itspeciallygrieves

his,aswhathasbeenthegreatmake-batebetwixtGodandhim.

4thly,Asenseofthenumerousnessandmultitudeoftheirsins;Job13:23,"Howmanyaremineiniquitiesandsins?makemetoknowmytransgressionandmysin."Atruesenseofsinwillopenmen'seyestoseeinnumerableevilscompassingthemabout,countableonlybyhimwhotelleththestars,Psal.19:12.Hencethehumbledsoulissensibleofacloudofguiltthatithasbeenwraptupin;andwillseeitmustpleadguiltytoeverylineofthespirituallaw:seesitselfamassofiniquity;"fromthecrownoftheheadtothesoleofthefoot,thereisnosoundness,butwounds,andbruises,andputrifyingsores."Is.64:6,"Weareallasanuncleanthing,andallourrighteousnessesareasfilthyrags,"&c.

5thly,Asenseoftheheinousnessoftheirsins,theaggravatingcircumstanceswherewiththeyhavebeenattended:Luke15:18,"Iwillarise,andgotomyfather,andwillsayuntohim,Father,Ihavesinnedagainstheaven,andbeforethee."Eachsinpiercestheheartofthepenitent.Andsoitiswonderfultoseewhatadexterityarepentingsinnerhasinaggravatinghissins,inhisprayersandcomplaints.Time,place,person,andeachcircumstance,shootsasitwereadartthroughtheliver.

Lastly,Asenseoftheevilofsin.Menmayseesin,thatseenottheevilofit.Henceprofessingsin,insteadofconfessingit;turningtoit,insteadofturningfromit.Butifonesawtheserpent'ssting,hewouldnottakeitintohisbosom,Luke23:34.ButtheLord'slanguagetothesoulwhomheisdrawingtorepentance,isthat,Jer.2:19,"Thineownwickednessshallcorrectthee,andthybackslidingshallreprovethee:knowthereforeandsee,thatitisanevilthingandbitter,thatthouhastforsakentheLordthyGod,andthatmyfearisnotinthee,saiththeLordGodofhosts."Andthereisatwofoldevilinsin,whichthesoulisnowsensibleof.

(1.)Theevilofitwithrespecttothemselves.Theyaresensibleofthebitterfruitsofsin:Rom.6:21,"Whatfruithadyetheninthosethings,whereofyearenowashamed?fortheendofthosethingsisdeath."Theyseenow"thevineisthevineofSodom,thegrapesaregrapesofgall,theclustersbitter,andtheirteetharesetonedge."Theycryout,asthesonsoftheprophetsinanothercase,2Kings4:40,"OthoumanofGod,thereisdeathinthepot."Thisisthedangerofsin,thattheyaremadesensible

of.Theyseetheguiltofit,layingthesoulopentotemporal,spiritual,andeternalstrokes:Jer.14:7,"OLord,thoughouriniquitiestestifyagainstus,dothouitforthyname'ssake:forourbackslidingsaremany,wehavesinnedagainstthee."Hence"horrortakesholdonthem,becauseofGod'srighteousjudgments."Theyaremadetowonderthattheyarenotinhell,drinkingthecupofthewrathofGod.Theirheartstrembletolookbackontheruinthatwashangingovertheirheadsintheirnaturalstate;thatthepoisonouscupwhichtheydrankhasnotdespatchedthem.Hencetheyfeartomeddlewithsinagain,asonewoulddototakeaserpentintohisbosom.

(2.)TheevilofitwithrespecttoGodandChrist;andthatinathreefoldrespect.[1.]AscontrarytotheholylawofGod:1John3:4,"Whosoevercommittethsintransgressethalsothelaw:forsinisthetransgressionofthelaw."Bysinonebreaksoverthehedge,yea,breaksitdown,andsostepsintothedevil'sground;whatwonderthenaserpentdobitehim!NowthesinnerseestheequityofGod'slaw,andsoplainlyperceivestheeviloftransgression:Rom.7:12,"Thelawisholy;andthecommandmentholy,andjust,andgood."Andthebreakingoverthissogloriousahedge,gallsthepenitentheart,theingenuousspiritofanevangelicalpenitent.

[2.]AscontrarytotheholynatureofGod:Hab.1:13,"Thouartofpurereyesthantobeholdevil,andcanstnotlookoniniquity."Sinistheworstofevilsinitself,andintheeyesofthepenitent.Thereisnothingsocontrarytothechiefgood,andthereforeitisthechiefevil.Now,thetruepenitentlovesGod,hisholynatureandperfections;andthereforehissinisheavytohim,becausebyithehaswalkedcontrarytohim:Lam.5:16,"Woeuntousthatwehavesinned."

[3.]AstheprocuringcauseofthesufferingsofChrist:Zech.12:10,"Theyshalllookuponmewhomtheyhavepierced,andtheyshallmournforhim,"&c.MountCalvaryistheBochimtothetruepenitent;thesufferingsofChristarethecommentariesonsin,whichthetruepenitentreads;thegroansofadyingSaviourrendtheirhearts;andbythewoundsofaRedeemertheyseetheillofsin.

Thisistheloathsomenessofsin,Is.30:22;wherebyitisnotonlyhatedforwhatattendsit,butisabhorredforitself,asathingwhichonnoterms

thesoulcouldanylongerdigest.

2.Forthequalitiesofit.Itis,

1st,Aparticularanddistinctsenseofsin,notageneralandconfusedone.Nomanthathearsthegospel,havingcommonunderstanding,butheconfesseshimselfasinner;butmanyneverthelessareblindastoparticulars.Butthisputsoneinacapacitytolayhishandsonhissores,saying,asPsal.51:4,"Againstthee,theeonlyhaveIsinned,anddonethisevilinthysight."Itshewshimhisparticulartransgressionswhereinhehasexceeded,andtheparticularillsbywhichhehasexceededandoffendedinthese.Astheverminappearcrawling,whenthestoneisliftedup,whichbeforelayhid;sotheillsoftheheartandlifeappeartothepenitent:Rom.7:9,"Iwasalivewithoutthelawonce:butwhenthecommandmentcame,sinrevived,andIdied."

2dly,Itisreal,notimaginary.TheSpiritoftheLordrealizeththeevilofsintothesoul.Andsoitgoesbeyondamerelyrationalknowledgeofsin,asfarasthesenseofthebitternessofgallgotbytastingit,exceedsthatgotbythebarehearingofit:Jer.2:19,"Thineownwickednessshallcorrectthee,andthybackslidingsshallreprovethee:knowthereforeandsee,thatitisanevilthingandbitter,thatthouhastforsakentheLordthyGod,andthatmyfearisnotinthee,saiththeLordGodofhosts."Thereisaspiritualsensationofspiritualthings,arisingfromthenewnature,aswellasanaturalfeelingofwhatisgrievoustousanotherway:1Cor.2:14,15,"ThenaturalmanreceivethnotthethingsoftheSpiritofGod;fortheyarefoolishnessuntohim:neithercanheknowthem,becausetheyarespirituallydiscerned.Buthethatisspiritualjudgethallthings."

3dly,Itisoperative,notdeadandidle.Theeyeofthepenitentaffectshisheart;andtheheartbeingtouched,setsallthepowersofthesoulonwork.Itisthespiritualphysic,thatceasethnottoworktillthewholesoulbepurged;asinthecaseofPeter'shearers,Acts2:37,"whowereprickedintheirheart,andsaiduntoPeter,andtotherestoftheapostles,Menandbrethren,whatshallwedo?"Thereisasenseofsinwhichventsitselfinnothingbutinsighingandgoingbackward,orindryandfruitlesscomplaints.Itislikethedisturbancewhichthesluggardmeetswithonhisbed,whichneverthoroughlyawakenshim.Butthissenseofsinis

thoroughwork.

Lastly,Itisanabidingsenseofsin,notatransientoneinafit,andsoaway,Lam.3:49,50,"Mineeyetricklethdown,andceasethnot,withoutanyintermission;tilltheLordlookdown,andbeholdfromheaven."Thehumbledsoulcarriesitaboutwithhim,aslongashecarriesthebodyofsinanddeathaboutwithhim,sayingwiththeapostle,Rom.7:24,"OwretchedmanthatIam!whoshalldelivermefromthebodyofthisdeath?"Foritisnotaslighttouch,whichgoesasitcomes,veryeasily.TheremovalofthestrokecarriesoffPharaoh'ssenseofsin;butherethewoundisdeeperandsomoreabiding.

USE1.Aninsensiblesinnerisanunhumbledimpenitentsinner;aswasthecaseofthechurchofLaodicea,whosaid,"shewasrich,andincreasedwithgoods,andhadneedofnothing;andknewnotthatshewaswretched,andmiserable,andpoor,andblind,andnaked,Rev.3:17.Theythatneverdiggeddeep,arenotbuiltontherock.Theythathavenevergotabroadsightofthemselvesinthesinfulnessoftheirheartsandlives,haveneveryetgotabelievingsightofChrist.Considerthis,yethathavestilllivedatease,strangerstoanythoroughexerciseaboutyoursoul'scase;thoughthedoorisshut,thethiefisinthehouse.

1.Thisshewshowitcomesthattheprideofpeople'sheartsstillremains,thoughundercryingguiltofsin.Thoughtheyknowtheirsin,theyhavenoduesenseofit.Iftheyhad,itwouldbesuchaburdenontheirbacksaswouldsoonmakethemstoop,asPeter'shearersdid,Acts2:37.Insensiblesinnersmaysithighintheseatofthescornful,whiletheyseenotwhataGodtheyhavetodowith:butwhentheSpiritoftheLordopenstheireyes,andtouchestheirhearts,toletthemseeandfeeltheevilofsin,theywilllielowinthedust.Theywill,withtheafflictedman,"puttheirmouthinthedust,ifsobetheremaybehope,"Lam.3:29.

3.Seehereadifferencebetwixtthesaint'shumiliation,andthatofthehypocrite's.AnAhabmayhumblehimselffromasenseofthedangerofsin;butatruepenitentishumbledfromthesenseoftheloathsomnessofsin,1Kings21:27,29.Job42:5,6.Aslavemaybowhimselfforfearofthewhip;butthedispositionofasonistobeaffectedwiththeoffencedonetoakindfather.ManywillseemverylowundertherodofGod,andthe

apprehensionsofhiswrath,whoarenevertouchedwithhislove.Theywillbecastdownunderthesenseoftheeviltheirsindoestothemselves,whilethedishonourdonetoGodbyitliesfarfromtheirhearts.

4.Lastly,LetmeexhortyoutogetandentertainadeepsenseofsinonyourSpirits.Seeyoursins,andbedulyaffectedwiththem,andbehumbledforthem.Ohowsadisit,thatamongstourmanythoughts,singetssofewofthem!

Formotivestopressthisexhortation,consider,

1st,ThattheLordisanewcallingthelandbyhisprovidencetobesensibleoftheirsins,andtobehumbledforthem.TheLordtookitnotlongagoasabrandoutoftheburning;butheisthreateningtocastitintothefireagain,byaforeigninvasion.*Forthoughweweredelivered,yetthecontroversyremainsstill.Wehavenotbeenthankfulforourdeliverance;Atheism,profanity,formality,contemptofthegospel,andaspiritofapostacyanddecliningfromtheLord,andhisworkandway,wofullyabound.Howcanwemisstofallatlength!

2dly,Considerthepresentdispensationofprovidencetowardsthiscongregation,threateningtoleaveourhousedesolate.Itfillsthemouthsofmanywithwhatislittleworth;wouldtoGoditmightfillyourheartsandminewithaseriousinquiryintothecausesofitbeforetheLord.Itspeaksaloud,Othatweweretakingupthelanguageofthethreateningrod.Themelancholystateofthiscongregation,inthetimeofthelastdesolation,needsnotbeforgot.Itwouldbecomeusallverywellonthisoccasion,toconsiderwhatajealousGodwehavetodowith,andwhatentertainmenthasbeengiventothepreachedgospel;tolayourhandseveryoneonourownmouths,andconsiderwellwhatwehavecontributedtothebringingofthemattertothispass.Bytakingwithoursin,andhumblingourselvesbefortheLord,waymightbemadefortheacceptanceofprayerthroughJesusChrist;andthemthathumblethemselvesGodwillexalt.

3dly,Consider,thathoweverlightlyyoursinsmaysitonyourspirits,theyareaburdentotheholySpiritofGod:Amos2:13."Behold,"saystheLord,"Iampressedunderyou,asacartispressedthatisfullofsheaves."

AndwemaybesuretheLordwilleasehimselfofthatburdensoonerorlater.Andifitbenotbyourrepentanceandhumiliation,itwillbebyhisaccomplishinghiswrathonus:Is.1:24."Ah,Iwilleasemeofmineadversaries,andavengemeofmineenemies."ThereforeconsideryourwaysinordertoareturningtotheLord.Thelighterthatsinsitsonus,itisthemoregrievingtotheSpiritoftheLord.

Lastly,Consider,thatwithoutsenseofsinthereisnohumiliation;thatwithouthumiliationtherecanbenorepentance;andthatwithoutrepentancetherecanbenoescapefromthewrathofGod."Forexceptyerepent,yeshallperish."Insensiblenessofsin,andtheevilofit,locksuptheheartinobdurationandimpenitency;andthatwillshutupthesoulunderwrath.ButGodlovesthesensiblehumbledson:Jer.31:20."IsEphraimmydearson?isheapleasantchild?forsinceIspakeagainsthim,Idoearnestlyrememberhimstill:thereforemybowelsaretroubledforhim;Iwillsurelyhavemercyuponhim,saiththeLord."

Secondly,Intruehumiliationthereisakindlysorrowforsin:Zech.12:10,"IwillpouruponthehouseofDavid,andupontheinhabitantsofJerusalem,thespiritofgraceandofsupplications;andtheyshalllookuponmewhomtheyhavepierced,andtheyshallmournforhimasonemournethforhisonlyson,andshallbeinbitternessforhim,asonethatisinbitternessforhisfirst-born."Thesoulisnotonlyfilledwithremorse,buttruegrief,foroffendingaholy,graciousGod.HegrievedtheSpiritincommittingsin,hisspiritisgrievedinrepentingofit.Thehardheartisbroken,theadamantineheartdissolvedintotearsofgodlysorrow,therookisstruckbytherodofthegospel,andthewatersgushout.ThewaytoZionliesthroughthevalleyofBaca:Jer.50:4,5,"Inthosedays,andinthattime,saiththeLord,thechildrenofIsraelshallcome,theyandthechildrenofJudahtogether,goingandweeping:theyshallgo,andseektheLordtheirGod.TheyshallaskthewaytoZionwiththeirfacesthitherward,saying,Come,andletusjoinourselvestotheLord,inaperpetualcovenantthatshallnotbeforgotten."AnditisthemournersforsinwhomtheLordcomfortswiththeconsolationsofhisSpirit.Thisisthatbrokennessandcontritionofheart,whichGodcallsfor,andtakessomuchpleasurein.Thisistherendingoftheheart,whichGodrequires,Joel2:12,13.Thisisgodlysorrow,whichhaththeseproperties.

1.Itisasorrowforsinassin;notonlyfortheguiltofit,buttheloathsomenessofit;notonlyfortheillitdoestoourselves,butthedishonourandwrongitdoestoaholygraciousGod,Psal.51:4;Zech.12:10.Thepenitentinhissorrow,goesfartherthanawakenedreprobates,whoseeingtheirsoulsruinedanddead,doputontheirmournings.Hegrievesattheheart,becauseoftheoffencedonetoGod,thedefacingofhisimage,transgressingaholyandmostjustlaw,furnishingaspearandnailstopierceaSaviour.

2.Itisaninwardrealsorrow.Notthehangingdownoftheheadlikeabulrush,Is.58:5.Notamadesorrowinadisfiguredcountenance,whichliesallinoutwardappearance.Butitisasorrowsoakingintothesoul,andpiercingtheveryheart,Is.61:3.Andthereforeitfollowsthemaninsecret,wherenoeyesees;makinghimmournbeforetheLord,whentheworldknowsnothingofit.Foritarisethfromaninwardprinciple.

3.Itisalivelysorrow.Thesorrowoftheworldworkethdeath.Itstupifiesaman,andtakesheartandhandfordutyfromhim.Butthespiritualpangsofgodlysorrowforsinquickenamantohisduty:2Cor.7:11,"Forbehold,thisself-samethingthatyesorrowedafteragodlysort,whatcarefulnessitwroughtinyou,yea,whatclearingofyourselves,yea,whatindignation,yea,whatfear,yea,whatvehementdesire,yea,whatzeal,yea,whatrevenge!"Itmakesthemanactiveinsalvation-work.Andthereasonis,theonespringsfromslavishfear,whichchillsthesoul,makingitcoldandstiff,andunfitforaction;theotherfromlove,whichwarmstheheart,anddisposethitforaction:Luke7:47,"Hersinswhicharemany,areforgiven:forshelovedmuch."

4.Itisanabidingsorrow.Itisnotaflashofanaffection,whichisdeceitful,buta"spiritofheaviness,"Is.61:3.Thesorrowsofmanyarelikeasummer-shower,thatwetsthesurfaceoftheground,butispresentlydriedup,ereitdoanygood.Butgodlysorrowislikethat,Eccl.7:3,"Sorrowisbetterthanlaughter:forbythesadnessofthecountenancetheheartismadebetter."Thesoul,likeMary,mournstillitfindtheLord,Lam.3:49,50.forecited.Itmayindeedremitofitsdegrees;butwhilesinabides,thespringofmourningabidestoo.

5.Itisanuniversalsorrow.Thetruepenitentheartilygrievesforhisown

sin,Psal.38:18,andforthesinofothers,Psal.119:136.Itislikethelettingoutofwaters:itmaybeginatonesin,butitdoesnotstopthere,butgoesthroughallknownsin,Psal.1:5.andunknowntoo,Psal.19:12,"Whocanunderstandhiserrors?cleansethoumefromsecretfaults."Theynevertrulymournforonesin,thatdonotmournforall:forthatwhichmovessorrowintherepentingheartforonesin,istobefoundinallsins,namely,itscontrarietytothelawandnatureofGod,theloathsomenessaswellasdangerofit.Andhence,whenoncethefloodgateofgodlysorrowisopened,itoverflowsall;andthesweetestmorselbecomesbitter.

6.Itisdeepsorrow.Peterrepentingweptbitterly.Hethatwouldhaveagoodcrop,ploughswell;andhethatwouldbuildsurely,goesdeepwiththefoundation.Itwasthewantofdepthofearththatwastheruinofthestony-groundhearers,Matt.13:5.Anddeepdiggingwasthesafetyofthehousefoundedonarock,Luke6:48.Thissorrowisarendingoftheheart,Joel2:13;arendingofitastheploughrendstheearth,Jer.4:3;aprickingandpiercingofitaswithdaggers,swords,andspears,Acts2:37,comparedwithJohn19:34;acuttingitaswithaknife,Jer.4:4.

Itisaquestion,Whetherpenitentialsorrowexceedsallothersorrowsforthecomfortsofthislife,ornot?Ifwemeasurebythemovingoftheheartandaffections,itisevident,thatatleastalwaysitdothnotexceedothersorrows.Butifwemeasurebythesettleddispositionoftheheart,itisasevidentthatitdoesexceedthemall.Asthedeepestwatersordinarilymakeleastnoise,somenwillbemoremovedinalesserjoyandgriefthaninagreater;fortheyarebutthelightestjoysthatmovelaughter,andoft-timesthegreatestsorrowsareabovetears.Itsettlesmorefirmly,andcontinuesmorethananyothersorrowwhatsoeverintheworld.

7.Lastly,Itisaheartpurifyingsorrow.Itworksrepentanceorforsakingofsin:2Cor.7:10."Godlysorrowworkethrepentancetosalvation,nottoberepentedof."Truemourningandturningareinseparablecompanions;thoughthereisamourningforsin,thatisnotdeepenoughtoturnuptheloveofsinbytheroot.Truesorrowintheheartisaspring,whichasitrunnethwillworkoutsin,astothelove,habitualpractice,anddominionofit,asaspringworksoutthemudthrownintoit.

USE.1.Thereisnorepentingwithahaleheart,andwithoutrepentancenosalvation.Peoplemusteitherbebrokenfortheirsinsinawayofmourning,orGodwillbreakthemfortheminawayofjudgment.Therearemanystoutheartsinourday,thatwillboldlyoutfacechallengesfromthewordandtheirownconsciences,withouteitherbreakingorbowing.Butletsuchremember,thatthereisadaycomingwhenGodwillmakethestoutesthearttotremble,andtheheartofadamanttoflyinathousandpieces,Psal.2:9."Thoushaltbreakthemwitharodofiron,thoushaltdashtheminpieceslikeapotter'svessel."

2.Howfarmusttheybefromhumiliation,thatsindeliberately,gloryintheirshame,andrejoiceinungodlycoursesandpractices!Ithinkprovidencesandordinancesarehardeningtomanyinourday;theyarenotbetteredbythem,andthereforetheyarehardenedandmadeworseunderthem.Ourpennyweddingsandsetdrinkings,leavingsuchastenchbehindthem,andattendedwithbeforeunheardofprofanity,arespeakingevidencesofthis.AretheseChristianmethodstohelppoorpeople?WillGodacceptthegift,wheresuchafatsacrificeisofferedtothedevil?Isthatcharityforwhichdrinkingmustopenmen'sheartsandhandstogive?Ifsomemethodsbenotfallenontopreventthesethings,theywillbringwrathonthecongregation.*Iappealtotheconsciencesofallsoberpersons,ifitlookednotjudgment-like,thatinthatverytimewhenabroadadesignwasmanagingtolaythecongregationdesolate,*athomemanyweremetforasetdrinking,carriedontoamonstrousheightofprofanity,inthedayandinthenight.Itbecomesusalltomournforthis,lestweinvolveourselvesintheguilt.AndparticularlyIwarnallsuchaswereanywaypartakersofthatscandalousriot,torepent,lestwrathbreakoutuponthem.Foritisafearfulthingtostandexposedtothelashofthesethreatenings,Hab.2:15,"Woeuntohimthatgivethhisneighbourdrink:thatputtestthybottletohim,andmakesthimdrunkenalso,thatthoumayestlookontheirnakedness."Is.22:12,13,14,"AndinthatdaydidtheLordofhostscalltoweeping,andtomourning,andtobaldness,andtogirdingwithsackcloth:andbehold,joyandgladness,slayingoxen,andkillingsheep,eatingflesh,anddrinkingwine;letuseatanddrink,forto-morrowweshalldie.AnditwasrevealedinmineearsbytheLordofhosts,surelythisiniquityshallnotbepurgedfromyou,tillyedie,saiththeLordGodofhosts."

3.Thesorrowofmanyfortheirsins,willtendtonogoodaccountbeforetheLord.Fewhaveanyremarkablesorrowfortheirsinsatall;butamongstthosewhoseheartsarereallygrievedandpainedfortheirsin,howfewaretherethathaveanyrightsorrow?Thedangerofit,thedisadvantagebyit,theshameofitbeforetheworld,painsthemalittle;butthedishonourdonetoGodbyittouchesthemnoteffectually.Andsotheirsorrowwillbebutthebeginningofhell,notofrepentance.

4.Lastly,Beexhortedtomournforsin.Labourtogetyourheartsaffectedwiththismournfulobject,andbenotstrangerstothisexercise.Thesinsandthreatenedjudgmentsofthisdaycallforit;anditisthewaytoattainparticularsafetyincommoncalamity:Ezek.9:4,"AndtheLordsaiduntohim,Gothroughthemidstofthecity,throughthemidstofJerusalem,andsetamarkupontheforeheadsofthementhatsigh,andthatcryforalltheabominationsthatbedoneinthemidstthereof."Ifweweremoreinthedutyofmourning,wewouldsharemoreofthegospel-comforts,Matt.5:4,"Blessedaretheythatmourn:fortheyshallbecomforted."AndthemoreoftheSpiritonehas,themorewillhebetakenupthatway.

Thirdly,IntruehumiliationthereisaholyshameupontheaccountofsinbeforetheLord:Rom.6:21,"Whatfruithadyeinthosethings,whereofyearenowashamed?fortheendofthosethingsisdeath."Theremembranceofsinfillsthepenitentwithshameandblushing:hencesaysEzra,chap.9:6,"OmyGod,Iamashamedandblushtoliftupmyfacetothee,myGod:forouriniquitiesareincreasedoverourhead,andourtrespassisgrownupuntotheheavens."Shamewasneverknownintheworld,tillsinentered;yetsometimessincomestosuchaheightwithsinners,thatitquitebanishesshame:butthecaseofsuchisverydesperate,Jer.3:9."Thouhadstawhore'sforehead,thourefusedsttobeashamed."Shamethenistheremainsofvirtueinasinner,towhichwhosoarelost,allarelosttoallgood,Is.3:9."Theshewoftheircountenancedothwitnessagainstthem,andtheydeclaretheirsinasSodom,theyhideitnot."Now,thegraceofGodawakensthisshame,andsanctifiesitinthepenitentsoul,sothathehangsdownhisheadbeforetheLord,asashamedofhiswayandheart.

Therearefourthingsoccasionshame,and

meethere.

1.Nakednesscausethshame.HencesaidAdamtotheLord,Gen.3:10,"Iheardthyvoiceinthegarden:andIwasafraid,becauseIwasnaked;andIhidmyself."Sinstripsthesinnersoftheirbeautifulgarments,takesawaythegloryoftherationalcreature,andleavesthemwithoutacoveringbeforetheeyesofaholyGod.Thepenitentseesthis,andisashamed;andsothepublican,cannotliftuphiseyestoheaven,butsmitesonhisbreast,asifhewouldwoundthebreastthatsinbredin,whichhasbroughthimtothisshamfulcase.

2.Pollutionanddefilement,forthatmakesoneloathsometoothers,Job9:31,"Thoushaltplungemeintheditch,andmineownclothesshallabhorme."Sindefilesthesoul,takesawayandmarsallitsbeauty,anddeformsitinthesightofGod.Andthepenitentseesthis,andisashamed,Is.64:6,"Weareallasanuncleanthing,andallourrighteousnessesareasfilthyrags,andwealldofadeasaleaf,andouriniquities,likethewind,havetakenusaway."Neverwasamanthathadbeenplungedoverheadandearsinamire,moreashamedtocomebeforeothersinthatcase,thanthepenitentisashamedtoshewhisfacebeforeGod.

3.Disappointmentofraisedexpectations,Jer.2:36,37.Thesinnerinhisimpenitentstate,lookedforhishappinessandsatisfactioninsinfulcourses.Butwhenhisheartistouched,heisashamed;forhefinds,thatinsteadofbreadexpected,hehasgotastone;insteadoffish,aserpent.Hefinds,thathehasbeencourtinghisowndeathandruin;andthatfromthewallheleanedontherehascomeforthaserpentandbithim.Andhenceisthatreflection,Rom.6:21,"Whatfruithadyeinthosethings,whereofyearenowashamed?fortheendofthosethingsisdeath.

4.Discoveringofone'sreproach,Jer.2:26,"Sinisareproachtoanypeople."Intheimpenitentstatethesoul'sreproachishidtoit;butwhengracetouchestheheart,andtheLordbringsthesinner'swaystomind,layshissinsinbroad-bandbeforehim,howcanhemisstobeashamed?Inaspecialmanner,aconvictionofbaseingratitudefillsonewithshame,astobeconvictedofdesignsagainsthimwhohadsavedourlife.AndthusthegoodnessofGoddulyconsidered,fillsthepenitentwithshame

andblushing,whilehethinkswhatanungratefulwretchhehasbeen:Jer.3:25,"Weliedowninourshame,andourconfusioncoverethus:forwehavesinnedagainsttheLordourGod,weandourfathersfromouryouthevenuntothisday,andhavenotobeyedthevoiceoftheLordourGod.

USE.1.Shamelessnessinsinisabadgeofimpenitency,andthereforeaforerunnerofdestruction,Jer.6:15.Phil.3:10.Aforeheadofbrassisasigntheheartisofstone.Impudenceinsinarguesafilthyheart,anobstinatedisposition,andasearedconscience.AndsuchareastagebeyondothersfromthekingdomofGod.Whathopescantheyhaveofthegloryofheaven,thatgloryintheirshame?

2.Weseethenthatsinwillbringshamesoonerorlater,hereorhereafter.Asforthemthatliveanddiewithoutrepentance,theirshameissure,andtheywillbecoveredwithit,beforethegreatcongregationofheavenandearthatthelastday,andtheyshallneverrecovertheircountenance:Dan.12:2,"Manyofthemthatsleepinthedustoftheearthshallawake,sometoshameandeverlastingcontempt."Andifpeopleberecoveredbyrepentance,theywillbefilledwithshamebeforetheLord,evenholyshame.Butwhatevershamemenhave,itisnoholyshamethatkeepsthemfromglorifyingGodbytakingshametothemselveswhencalledthereto;fornograceofGodkeepsfolkbackfromduty,Josh.7:19.Commondiscretionteaches,thatoneashamedofaninjurydonetothehonourofanother,cannotlookhiminthefacebutwithshame,tillhehasdonewhathecantorepairthathonour.

3.Lastly,Thepenitentsoulisaningenuoussoul,andheartilyatoddswithsin.ForsuchanonewillbeashamedbeforeGod,ofwhattheworldcannottaxhimwith.ManymaybesorryforsinbeforeGod,becauseoftheterribleconsequencesofitwhichtheyapprehend,whoyetarenotashamedbeforehim,becausetheyseenottheevilthatisinitself.Butitarguesachild-likedisposition,tobeheartilyashamedofsecretsinsbeforetheLord.

Fourthly,Intruehumiliationthereisself-loathingandabhorrence:Ezek.36:31,"Thenshallyerememberyourownevilways,andyourdoingsthatwerenotgood,andshallloatheyourselvesinyourownsight,foryouriniquities,andforyourabominations."Thepenitentnotonlyloatheshis

sin,buthimselfforhissin.HecriesoutwithJob,chap.40:4,"BeholdIamvile,whatshallIanswerthee?Iwilllayminehanduponmymouth."Repentancesetsamanatvariancewithhimself.HeseeshisuglyfaceintheglassofGod'slaw,Christ'ssufferings,andtheLord'sgoodness,andheloatheshimself.Thisself-loathingmanifestsitself,

1.Inthelowandmeanthoughtsthepenitentjustlyentertainsofhimself.Truepenitentsseesuchvilenessinthemselves,asmakesthemgiveaverymeanaccountofthemselves.Abrahamownedhimselftobedustandashes;Jacob,lessthanallthemerciesofGod;David,aworm,andnotaman;Asaph,asabeastbeforetheLord;Agur,morebrutishthanany;thecenturion,unworthythatChristshouldcomeunderhisroof:Paul,onebornoutofduetime,theleastoftheapostles,nay,lessthantheleastofallsaints,nay,thechiefofsinners;andtheprodigalson,Luke15:19,reckonedhimselfnomoreworthytobecalledason,buttobemadeahiredservant.

2.Inthepenitent'sbeingheartilyoutwithhimselfupontheaccountofhissin:Job42:6,"WhereforeIabhormyself,andrepentindustandashes."Asonecannotwithanypleasuretouchhimself,thathasfilththrownonhim,buthisveryheartstandsathimself;soitisinspiritualself-loathing.Helooksonhimselfasanuglyspectacle.Henotonlyhasnothingtosayindefenceofhimself,butwithindignationherejectsalltheshiftsandexcusesforit,whichhewassatisfiedwithbefore:Luke18:13."Thepublicanstandingafaroff,wouldnotliftupsomuchashiseyesuntoheaven,butsmoteuponhisbreast,saying,Godbemercifultomeasinner."

3.Inholyrevenge,2Cor.7:11.Hethatwasgoingoninsinbefore,isnowdividedagainsthimself;sothatthedevil'skingdomofsininhimmustneedsgotoruin.Heactsthepartofanaccuser,advocate,andjudge,againsthimself;yeainsomesortlasheshimselfforhissinfulheartandlife.Hencewefindthehumbledsinner,

1st,Smitingonhisbreast,Luke18:13,asitweretherebydeclaring,thathedeservestobestruckattheheart,anddieforhistransgression;thatwithinhimisthecauseofallhissinandsorrows,hemaythankhimselfforall;thesourceandspringofallisthecorruptheart.

2dly,Smitingonhisthigh,Jer.31:19,asifhewouldtherebydeclare,thathewouldbewillingtotakevengeanceonthefeetthatcarriedhimoutofthewayofGod;thatheisfilledwithindignationagainsthimself,forhisunaccountablepractices,saying,WhathaveIdone?whatawretchedsinnerhaveIbeen?

Therearethesefivethingsthatstirupthisself-loathingespecially,inthepenitentsoul.

(1.)Theremarkableblots,andsignalmiscarriagesinhisway,thatdeeplywoundanddefiletheconscience:likePeter'sdenyinghisMaster,whichmadehimweepbitterly,whenhecametohimself.Theseinapeculiarmannercoverthesoulwithconfusion,andfillitwithself-abhorrence.Andhencesometimesrepentancebeginsatsomesuchthing,fromwhenceitspreadstothewholebodyofsin:Acts2:36,37,"LetallthehouseofIsraelknowassuredly,thatGodhathmadethatsameJesuswhomyehavecrucified,bothLordandChrist.Nowwhentheyheardthis,theywereprickedintheirheart,andsaid,Menandbrethren,whatshallwedo?"

(2.)Thefulnessofsinseeninthesoul:Is.64:6,"Weareallasanuncleanthing,andallourrighteousnessesareasfilthyrags."Thepenitentbeingmadesensibleofhissoul'scase,seestheleprosyspreadoverthewholeman,hismindundermuchdarkness,hiswillrebelliousagainstthewillofGod,hisaffectionsdisordered,hiswholenaturecorrupted,theseedofeverysininit;sothatheconcludes,thathisheartisfullofiniquity,andthattheluststhatarehatchedthere,theirnamemaybeLegion.Hislifeisaloathsomespectacleoftheoutbreakingsandworkingsofthatcorruption.Sothatheseesthat"fromthesoleofthefoottothecrownoftheheadthereisnosoundness;andthereforeheloatheshimself."

(3.)Thepollutioncleavingtohisduties:Is.64:6.forecited.Whileheseeshowtherunningsoreofhisnaturalcorruptiondropsonallhisholythings,anddefilesthem,howcanhechoosebutloathhimself?Heseeshisbestworksarelikeamoth-eatengarment,fullofholes;neveraprayer,norconfessionmade,butthereareprovocationsagainsttheLord

inthem.Hismourningsforsinmustbemournedover,becauseofthewofuldefectsthereof;whilehegoestomendonehole,stillheissuretostrikeoutanother.ThusthepenitentisinhisowneyeslikeJob,whohadnotwholefingerstodresshissoreswith;soheabhorshimself.

(4.)Theaggravationsofsin,Luke15:18.Asightofthesemakessinlooklikeanopenedstinkingsore,whereineachofthemcontributestomakeitmoreandmoreloathsome.Whenthepenitentconsiderswithwhatbentofaffectionhehassinned,thelight,themanymercies,vows,andresolutions,&c.hehassinnedagainst,hecannotbutloathhimselfasawretchedself-destroyer,asanungratefulmiscreant,andasabeastbeforetheLord.

(5.)Instabilityinanythingthatisgood:Hos.6:4,"Yourgoodnessisasamorningcloud,andastheearlydueitgoethaway."Waveringhearts,andwaveringhands,areveryhumblingtoasoultrulytouched.Agoodframeisararehour,andstaysbutashortwhile.Howoftenareresolutionsfairlytakenup,andbegintobudinendeavoursforpractice,thatyetarequicklyletfallagain?Howoftendomenrelapseintothesamesinstheyhavesometimeshadmadeverybittertothem?Thereisnothingmoreaptthanthistostirupself-abhorrence.

USE1.Self-conceitisaneed-nailtoastateofimpenitency:Rev.3:17,"Thou[thechurchofLaodicea]sayest,Iamrich,andincreasedwithgoods,andhaveneedofnothing;andknowestnotthatthouartwretched,andmiserable,andpoor,andblind,andnaked."Norepentancecanbewherethereisnohumiliation,andtherecanbenohumiliationwhilepeoplearepuffedupwithaconceitofthemselves.Publicansandharlotswillenterintothekingdomofheaven,beforesuchself-conceitedprofessors.WhenevertheSpiritoftheLordtakesadealingwithsuchpersons,anddiscoverstothemthesignalmiscarriagesintheirlife,thefulnessofsin,&c.thatswellingconceitofsweetselfwillfallaway,aseverthesnowmeltsinasunshineday.Theythatlookonthemselvesasamongthechiefofsaints,willseethemselvesthechiefofsinners.

2.Lookintoyourselves,ifyewouldloatheyourselvesandrepent.HencesaidIsaiah,chap.6:5,"Woisme,forIamundone,becauseIamamanofuncleanlips."Thingsmaybegoingallwronginthehouse,andthemaster

notknowit,whileheisastrangerathome.Manyapoorsoulispiningawayinitsiniquity,andrunningwithloathsomespiritualsores,threateningitsruin,whileinthemean-timetheyaremightilyinlovewiththemselves,andfondoftheirowncondition,likeamiserablemanthatishappyinadream.Butheavywilltheawakeningofsuchbe.

3.Lastly,Sinmustneedsbeaveryloathsomethingintheeyesofapenitent,sinceitmakeshimloathhimself.Alas!manytimeswelovethatinourselves,whichweloathinothers.Butwhenoneloatheshimselfforhissinagainstaholy,graciousGod,itisanargumentthatthatsoulisheartilyoutwithsin.

Fifthly,andLastly,Intruehumiliationthereisapenitentconfessionofsin.Henceisthatexhortation,Jer.3:13,"Onlyacknowledgethineiniquity,thatthouhasttransgressedagainsttheLordthyGod,"&c.Thisisthewaythatpenitentsinnershavealwayssoughtpardonandeasetotheirconsciencesin:Psal.32:5,"Iacknowledgedmysinuntothee,andmineiniquityhaveInothid:Isaid,IwillconfessmytransgressionsuntotheLord;andthouforgavesttheiniquityofmysin."Confessionofsinisthevomitofsin,wherebythesweetmorseliscastupagain;anditistheventofrealsorrow,shame,andself-abhorrence.Andwhentheheartisloosedtoit,themanbecomeslikethefishthatisboiledinthewaterwhichitswimmedin.

Thisconfessionistobeaccordingtothenatureoftheoffence.Ifthesinbeasecretone,aconfessiontoGodinsecretissufficient.Ifitbeaprivateoffence,theconfessionistobesotoo:Jam.5:16,"Confessyourfaultsonetoanother."Ifitbeapublicoffence,givingpublicscandal,theconfessionistobepublicalso:1Tim.5:20,"Themthatsinrebukebeforeall,thatothersalsomayfear."SopenitentDavidlefthisconfessiononrecord,forthechurch'sedification.AndsodidtheapostlePaul,1Tim.1:13.Andthereasonisevident,sincebysinGod'shonourisimpaired,andwecanrepairitnootherway,butbyconfessingitwithsorrow,shame,&c.theconfessionmustbeaccordingtothenatureoftheoffence,elsethewrongdonetothehonourofGodisnotrepairedbyit.AndintheprivateandpublicconfessionGodisourparty,andnotmenonly,aswellasinthesecretone.

Now,confessionisanecessarypartofhumiliation.Ifthehardheartbeloosedtobetrulyhumbliedforsin,itfollowsofcourse,thatthetonguewillbeloosedtoconfessit.Henceconfessionisputforthewholeofhumiliation,yeaofrepentance,Hos.5:15,"Iwillgoandreturntomyplace,tilltheyacknowledgetheiroffence."1John1:9."Ifweconfessoursins,heisfaithful,andjusttoforgiveoursins,andtocleanseusfromallunrighteousness."Confessionofsinhathtwoparts.

1.Self-accusing.Godhasgivenalaw,thesinnerhasbrokeit;thepenitentconfessethhistransgressionwithshameandsorrow,tothehonourofthelawgiver.Hecannothideit,hedaresnotdenyit;hissoulishumbled,andthereforeheconfessethit:Psal.51:3."Iacknowledgemytransgressions:andmysiniseverbeforeme."Heapprovesofthelawasholy,just,andgood,anddisapprovesofthetransgression.Thusthemorselthatwassweetinthemouth,turningbitterinthebellyisvomitedup.

2.Self-condemning.Hencesaidthereturningprodigal,Luke15:18,19."Father,Ihavesinnedagainstheaven,andbeforethee,andamnomoreworthytobecalledthyson."Thepenitentlookstothelaw,andthedemeritofhissin,readshisowndoom,andpassethsentenceonhimself.Heownsthatalltheevilhesmartsunderforthepresent,isjustandrighteouswithGod;Dan.9:14."ThereforehaththeLordwatchedupontheevil,andbroughtituponus:fortheLordourGodisrighteousinallhisworkswhichhedoth:forweobeyednothisvoice."Ifhisbrokenbonespainhim,hewillownthatitisjust.Ifhissinfindhim,sothathereaditinhispunishment,hewillacknowledgethatitisajustcontrivance;andthathedeservestosinkundereternalwrathforit,sayingwiththeafflictedchurch,"ItisoftheLord'smerciesthatwearenotconsumed,becausehiscompassionsfailnot,"Lam.3:22.Hewillsay,thatGodmayjustlytakethefilthygarmentsofhissin,coyerthemwithbrimstone,wraphimupinthem,andcasthimintothepit,Psal.51:4.

Now,thisconfessionshouldbesincere,full,veryparticular,free,andaccompaniedwithforsaking.*

USE.1.Hidingandcoveringsin,andrefusingtoconfessitinthewaythatGodcallsforaconfession,isasignofanheartnothumbledforit:Prov.28:13."Hethatcoverethhissinsshallnotprosper:butwhosoconfesseth

andforsakeththem,shallhavemercy."Manyinourday,fallingintopublicscandalsbytheirworksofdarkness,putonaforeheadofbrass,andrefusetoconfessthemforthegloryofGod,cheatingthemselveswiththat,thattheywillconfesstheirsinstoGodbutnottomen.Butlittledotheyconsider,thatbythatmeanstheyputabarintheirownwaytopardon,whilebyresolutelyingtheycoveronesinwithanother,andbyrefusingtohonourGodathiscall.NordotheyconsidertheweightofthatwordstandinginthewayoftheirpeacewithGod,whiletheyrefusetoremovethescandal,thatsotheymaybereconciledtothechurch:Matth.18:17,18."Ifheshallneglecttohearthem,tellituntothechurch:butifheneglecttohearthechurch,lethimbeuntotheeasanheathenman,andapublican.VerilyIsayuntoyou,Whatsoeveryeshallbindonearth,shallbeboundinheaven:andwhatsoeveryeshalllooseonearth,shallbeloosedinheaven."Itistrue,itisbutaword;yeabutitisGod'sword,thatwillbemoreterribletoanawakenedconsciencethananypunishmentmencaninflict.

2.Theythatshuntoseetheirsins,thattheymayconfessthem,cannotrepentofthem:Jer.9:6.7."Thinehabitationisinthemidstofdeceit,throughdeceittheyrefusetoknowme,saiththeLord.ThereforethussaiththeLordofhosts,beholdIwillmeltthem,andtrythem;forhowshallIdoforthedaughterofmypeople?"Itistrue,therearesinswhichwecannotsoseeinourselvesastoconfessthemparticularly;butinthatcasethesouldoesnotrefuseconviction,asPsal.19:12."Whocanunderstandhiserrors?cleansethoumefromsecretfaults."Butwhenonekeepsthesweetmorselunderhistongue,andhasnowilltoseetheevilofit,lestheshouldbeobligedtoconfessitbeforetheLord,thisisquiteanothercase,andspeaksadeceitoftheheart,holdingfastsin,andrefusingtoletitgo.

3.LastlyLabourtobesincere,full,free,&c.inconfessingyoursins.WeareindebttothejusticeofGod,wecannotpayourdebt;letusconfessourdebt,topreventapursuit,andthatwemaybecapabletoprayforforgivenessofit,whichotherwisewecannotbe.O,ifwehadaduesenseandsorrowforoursins,thiswould,likeanoverflowingflood,beardownbeforethemallthosethingswhichnowhamperusinconfessingoursins.

Thusfarofhumiliation,thefirstpartofrepentance.

ThereturningofthesouluntoGodfromsin

2dly,Icomenowtothesecondthing,viz.thereturningofthesouluntoGodfromsin.Thisisthecompletingofrepentance.Whateversenseofsin,shame,sorrow,&c.foritonehave,ifitendnotinreturningtoGod,itisnaught.ItisunderthisnotionthatrepentanceissooftencalledforintheOldTestament,Return,Turnye.Anditmaybewellputforthewholeofrepentance:for,

First,Theimpenitentsinnerisoutofhimself,outofhiswits;butbyrepentancehereturnsandcomestohimself.Henceweread,thattheprodigal,Luke15:17.cametohimself.Thereisneverasoulthatisbroughttorepentance,butthereisasgreatachangeuponhim,asonamadmanthatisreturnedtohissoundmind.Hehasquiteothernotionsofthingsthanhehadbefore;helooksuponhissinfulcoursesastheeffectsofspiritualfrenzy.Thisisthefirstpartofrepentance,namely,humiliation.

Secondly,Theimpenitentsinnerisoutofhisplace,likeawanderingbird:Prov.27:8,"Asabirdthatwanderethfromhernest:soisamanthatwanderethfromhisplace."Andsothesoulisoutofitsrest,andoutofitsduty.Adamshookhimselfandallhisraceoutoftheirrest,andoutofthattheywanderupanddowninthedevil'scommon.Repentanceisthesinner'sreturningtohisplaceagain,totakeuphisplaceagaininGod'shouseamonghisservants.Thisisthesecondpartofrepentance.Andwheneverthesoulcomestoitself,itwillcometoGodagain.ThegraceofGodfindsthesinner,astheangelfoundHagar,Gen.16:8,9;andasPaulfoundOnesimus,Philemonver.10,11,12.Now,inthisreturning,accordingtothetwoterms,

I.Thereisaturningfromsin:Ezek.14:6,"Repent,andturnfromyouridols,andturnawayyourfacesfromallyourabominations."2Tim.2:19,"LeteveryonethatnameththenameofChrist,departfrominiquity."Psal.34:14,"Departfromevil."Thesinnerchangeshiscourse,andgivesupwithhisformerlusts.Theimpenitentsinnerisamisledtraveller,whofindinghimselfwrong,willgonofartheron,butleavethewrongway,and

seektherightone.Torepentofsin,andyetcontinueinthepracticeofit,isacontradiction.No;thetruepenitentceasesfromsin,hegivesoverhisworkintheserviceofsinandlusts,Is.1:16.Heforsakeshisformerways,chap.55:7.Andthoughsinremainsinhim,yetitreignsnotasbefore.Ifthequestionbe,Howthepenitentturnsfromsin,sinceheisdailyoffending,andsinabidesinhim,whileheishere?Ianswer,

1.Truepenitentsturnfromitintheirheartandaffection.Thereisabondintheimpenitentstate,wherebythesinner'sheartisknittohislusts,aseverthesuckingchild'sheartistothebreast,whichhecanbynomeanswant.Repentancelooseththatbond:Rom.7:24,"OwretchedmanthatIam!whoshalldelivermefromthebodyofthisdeath?"Sothoughsincleavestothesoul,yetthesoulcleavesnottoitasformerly.Ithangsonhim,itistrue,butonlyasthechainsonthecaptive,whicharehisburden;asthegrave-clothesonLazarusraised,whichheisworkingtoputoff.Thusrepentancemakesachangeoftheheart.And,

1st,Hisesteemofsinisturnedtodespite.Hisjudgmentissetagainstit:Is.2:20,"Inthatdayamanshallcasthisidolsofsilver,andhisidolsofgold,whichtheymade,eachoneforhimselftoworship,tothemolesandtothebats."Whatheapprovedbefore,nowhecondemns;forthescalesareturned,andwhatwashighestbeforeisnowlowest.Graceandholinessgettheascendantofsinandwickednessinhisesteem.Thosehecountedmosthappysometimes,becausetheytookthegreatestlibertyinsinfulcourses,henowaccountsmostmiserable,asslavestosin,andintheroadtodestruction;andthereforetakesupJoshua'sresolution,chap.24:15,"Asformeandmyhouse,wewillservetheLord."

2dly,Hisloveofsinisturnedtohatredofit:Ezek.14:6.forecited.Psal.119:113,"Ihatevainthoughts."Ver.104,"Ihateeveryfalseway."Itwasgoodinhiseyesbefore,betterthanthefavourofGod,andcommunionwithhim.Heknewnothinggoodordesirablebuttheworldandlusts,andwhatmightsatisfythecorruptcravingsofthesoul.Butrepentanceturnshissoulagainstit,andhehatesitasanevilthing,astheworstofevils,worsethansufferingandafflictions.Werehelefttohischoicewithoutfearofpunishment,hewouldneverchooseit;forhehatesitforitself,itscontrarietytoGod'snatureandwill.

3dly,Hislikingofsinisturnedtoloathingofit.Hencerepentanceiscalledacastingawayofsin,Ezek.18:31.asonewoulddosomefilthythingthathecannotenduretohavenearhim.Forthepenitentlooksnotonlyonsinasanillthing,butasaloathsomethingwhichhisheartstandsat,Is.30:22.Andthisisthegroundofthatself-loathingwhichthepenitentisfilledwith.

Lastly,Hiscleavingtosinisturnedintoalongingtoberidofit,Rom.7:24.Themanlongstobefreefromit,asevertheprisonerfortheopeningofhisprison-doors,thecaptiveforhisbeingsetatliberty,andthedroppingoffofhischains.Itisaburdenonhisback,whichhegroansunder;asicknesstohissoul,thathewouldfainhavethecureof.AndthereforeChristwithallhissalvationislovelyinhiseyes;hissanctifyingSpirit,aswellashisjustifyingblood.

2.Theyturnfromitintheirlifeandconversation.Hethatstoodinthewayofsinnersbefore,nowleavesit,whenoncethegracetoucheththeheart,Is.55:7.Thepenitentnotonlyhasapureheart,butcleanhands.Repentancewillmakeavisiblechangeonone'slife:foritsetsmentomortifythemembersofthebodyofdeath,Rom.8:13;torefusecompliancewithlustsandtemptations,Tit.2:12;tostarvethelustsoftheflesh,Rom.13:14;andtonailthebodyofsinwithallitsmemberstothecrossofChrist,Gal.5:24.And,

1st,Theyturnfromthegrosspollutionsoftheoutwardman,Psal.24:3,4.Anelectsoulbeforeconversionmaybeahabitualprofaneperson,aswellasothers:butifhemaybesoafterconversion,whereisthedifferencebetwixtChrist'ssheepandthedevil'sgoats?Itistrue,theymaymakegrossslips,asDavidandPeterdid:buttheydonotlieinthem,theyrecoveragainbyrepentance.Butaprofanelifeisthemarkofanimpenitentstate,Gal.5:21.Anditisawonderhowmencanpretendtorepentance,whiletheyliveinthehabitualpracticeofdrunkenness,swearing,sabbath-breaking,lying,dishonesty,andothergrosspollutionsoftheoutwardman,whereonewouldthinktheprofanedevilisnotsomuchasgoneout,farlesscastout.

2dly,Theybecometenderwithrespecttothesinsofcommoninfirmity,labouringtomakeconscienceoftheirwordsandactions,Acts.24:16.

Whatothersaccountlightof,theywillstandatadistancefrom,ashavingfeltthesmartofsin;andthatnotonlybeforetheworld,buteveninsecretwherenoeyeseesbutGod's.Theywillstandalooffromtemptations,andevenfromtheappearanceofevil:andwhereintheyareovertakenthroughthefrailtyoftheflesh,theywillmournforitbeforetheLord.

3.Inrespectbothofheartandlife.Theyturnagainstsintoopposeandresistit,intheinnerandoutwardman,astakingnowthecontrarysidetothedevil,theworld,andtheflesh.Thespiritualcombatisbeguninthetruepenitent,Gal.5:17.Thewarwithsinisproclaimedandbegun,whichneverendstilldeath.Theyrevoltfrom,castofftheyoke,andstandupagainsttheiroldmasters,2Tim.2:19.

1st,Theyresistthemotionsofsinintheirhearts,andendeavourafterheartpurity,aswellaslifepurity:Psal.119:113."Ihatevainthoughts:butthylawdoIlove."ThePharisaicalprofessormaycleansetheoutsideoftheplatter,whileheislittletroubledaboutitsbeingwithinfullofravening.Butthehardestworkagracioussoulhasagainstsin,iswiththeheart,withwhattheworldneitherseesnorcanseeinhim.Andtheguidingoftheheartisthehardestpieceofmanagementinhisreligion.

2dly,Theyresisttheoutbreakingsofsininthelife:Psal.18:23."Iwasalsouprightbeforehim:andIkeptmyselffrommineiniquity."Theyseetheyareinaworldwheresnaresarethicklaid;theyseetheirownweakness,andhowreadytheyaretobeentrapped,andthereforelabourtobeontheirguard,lesttheybecarriedawaywiththestream.Hencetheyareafraidoftemptations,andthereforelabourtoshuttheireyesfrombeholdingvanity;sometimesfearingtofallonedaybythehandoftemptation,andthereforelongingtobebeyondthereachofsin.

4.AndLastly,Becausetheirturningfromsinisneverperfecttilldeath,thereforesolongtheyareayturning,andrenewingtheirrepentance,John13:10,Theyarenottruepenitentswholookonitastheworkofsomedaysorweeks,atthesoul'sfirstconversiontoGod.Atruepenitentwillayberepenting,aslongasheissinning.Heseesthatheisoftenfallingintothemire,andthereforemustbeoftenwashing;dailycontractingnewdebt,thereforemustbedailycryingforforgiveness.Andthemoreheinoushisaftermiscarriagesbe,thelongerheliessecure,his

repentancewillbethemorebitterwhenherisethupagain.

Now,thisturningfromsinhastheseproperties.

1.Itisvoluntary,asspringingfromaninwardprinciplesetupintheheartagainstsin:Job42:6."Iabhormyself,andrepentindustandashes."Thepenitentdoesnotonlycastawaysinasalivecoaloutofhisbosom,thatwouldburnhim,butassomeloathsomething,thatwoulddefilehim.Someturnfromtheirsinsagainsttheirwill;theypartwiththeirsinasPhaltieldidwithhisunlawfulwifeMichal,2Sam.3:15.Theydwellinthetentsofsin,tilltherigging-treebreak,andthereisnoabidinglongerthereforthem;theypartwiththeirsins,asthecovetousmanwithhisrichesatdeath,when,nillhewillhe,hemustletitgo.Buttruerepentanceisaturningfromsinoutofchoice:andforcedreformationneitherissincerenorwilllast,Psal.78:34.

2.Itissincere,asbeingaturningfromsinassin,aturningfromitbecauseitisaturningawayfromGod,aturningfromitforitscontrarietytoGod'sholynatureandlaw,Luke15:18.Themanleaveshissin,notfortheinferiormotivesonlyofdangertohimselfbyit,butfromthehighermotives,namely,becauseitisoffensivetoGod,dishonourshisSon,grieveshisSpirit,transgresseshislaw,anddefaceshisimage.Ifyourturningfromsinproceednotfromthesemotives,Godwillneverregarditasacceptableinhissight.ItisdoneforselfnotforGod;andGodwillneverbetherewardofthatworkwhereofheisnottheend.

Question.Whatshouldonedowithrespecttothosesinshehasturnedfrom,fromtheselowermotivesofself,orthosesinsthathavelefthim,beforeheleftthem?Answer.Donotturnbacktothem;butdowiththemastheyusetodowiththosethatdiebytheirownhands,burythemdisgracefully,andthrowstonesontheirgrave.Lookonthemandloathethem,risehigherinyourmotivestoforsakethemthanbefore.Yeleftthemforyourownsake,putthemfurtherawayforthesakeofGod'shonour.Setthembeforeyoureyesagain,andseehowprovokingtheyhavebeentoaholyGod,howdishonouringtohisSon,&c.repentand

mournoverthemontheseaccounts.Andthenyourturningfromthemwillbesincere.

3.Thisturningfromsinisuniversal:Psal.119:104,"Ihateeveryfalseway."Ezek.18:31,"Castawayfromyouallyourtransgressions."Whoeverturnssincerelyfromonesin,turnsfromallknownsinwhatsoever;becausethereasonthatmovesthetruepenitent,istobefoundinallaswellasanyone.Partialreformationisnotsincere;forGodrequiresthewholeheart,andwillnotbeservedbyhalves.Everysinisadeadlywoundtothesoul;andthereforethoughmanybecured,ifbutoneremainuncured,themanisadeadmanbythatone:Matth.5:29."Ifthyrighteyeoffendthee,pluckitout,andcastitfromthee:foritisprofitablefortheethatoneofthymembersshouldperish,andnotthatthywholebodyshouldbecastintohell."Adropofpoisonwillmakeawholecupofgoodwinedeadly,andonesinretainedwillrenderallotherreformationnaught;asAbimelechthesonofJerubbaal'sconcubinewasthedeathofallhisseventysonsbyhiswivesexceptone.

4.Itisspeedy,withoutdelays:Psal.119:60,"Imadehaste,anddelayednottokeepthycommandments."Aslongasamanisundeterminedtoturnfromhissin,ordelaystodoit,hisrepentanceisnotsincere.Itisanevidencethatthelanceofhumiliationhasnotgonedeepenough,whenthefilthymatterdoesnotpresentlyspringforth.Amanwhoseheartistrulytouchedwithapenitentsenseofsin,willdelayaslongtheflingingaburningcoaloutofhisbosom,asthecastingawayofhissin.No:whenitgoestothequick,itmustoffpresently;thoughitwereanoffendingrighthand,itmustbecutoffpresently;thoughitwereanoffendingrighteye,itmustbepresentlypluckedout.

5.Lastly,Thisturningfromsinisthorough;itmakescompleteworkevangelically,thoughnotlegally.ItwasaflawinJudah'srepentance,thatsheturnednotuntotheLordwithherwholeheart,butfeignedly.Jer.3:10;andinEphraim'sthathemixedhimselfamongthepeople,andwasacakenotturned,Hos.7:8.Menturnthoroughlyfromsininthesefourrespects.

1st,Thetruepenitentsticksatnoknownsin,butturnsfromallwithoutexception,eventhosesinsthataredearestandnearesttothem,and

whichtheyhavebeenmosteasilybesetwith,Heb.12:1,"Ikeptmyselffrommineiniquity,"Psal.18:23.Thisturningfromsinisneverthorough,tillitreachthesinthatisthesinofone'sconstitution,thesinthatisthesinwhichmostattendshiscalling,stations,andrelationswhereinhestands;thesinthathehasmostfrequentandstrongesttemptationsunto.Thatisthepredominantevilwhichtheheartmustbeloosedfrom,therighthandandrighteyesin,theonethinglacking,whichmarsallotherthings,Mark7:21.Unlesstherebeaturningfrom,awarringwiththis,itisallwrong;thoughindeedtheymaysometimesloseaswellaswininthebattle.

2dly,Heturnsfromthatwhichistheensnaringhookinanyofhissins,thehandlewherebyitcaughtholdofhim,Psal.131:2.PharaohwouldhavebeencontenttoletIsraelgo,sobetheywouldhavelefttheirlittleones,whichhewassurewouldhavebroughtthembackagain.AndSatanwillletpeopleturnfromsinforatime,whiletheyretainareigninglovetothebewitchingthingthatisinasinfulcourse.Forwhileitisso,thetreeisindeedcut,buttherootisleftintheground,andwillgrowagain.

3dly,Heturnsfromtheoccasionsofsin,Ezek.14:6.WhereforeDavidprays,"Turnawaymineeyesfrombeholdingvanity;"andSolomongivesadviceincaseofdrunkenness,Prov.23:31,"Looknotthouuponthewinewhenitisred,whenitgivethhiscolourinthecup,whenitmovethitselfaright.Itisvaintopretendtorepentandturnfromsin,whilemendonotwatchagainsttheoccasionsofit,andwrestleagainstthem,asagainstthesinitself.Theythatinasiegemindreallytodefendthetown,theywilldefendtheoutworksaslongastheycan;wilfullytolettheenemyinthere,speakstreachery.Muchliesinthispointforreformation:Prov.4:14,15,"Enternotintothepathofthewicked,andgonotinthewayofevilmen.Avoidit,passnotbyit,turnfromit,andpassaway."

Lastly,Heturnsfromtheenjoymentofthefruitsofhissin.Topretendtoturnfromsin,andyettofeedsweetlyonthefruitsofit,isanabsolutelyvainpretence.Whensinitselfistrulyquit,theprofitofitisgivenupwith.Thistheprophetteacheth,Is.33:15,"Hethatwalkethrighteously,andspeakethuprightly,hethatdespiseththegainofoppressions,thatshakethhishandsfromholdingofbribes,thatstoppethhisearsfromhearingofblood,andshuttethhiseyesfromseeingevil,"&c.Thisisso

evident,thatevenJudasinhisrepentance,suchasitwas,couldnolongerbrooktherewardofhisiniquity,Matt.27:3.Aphilosopherhadboughtapairofshoes,buthadnotpaidthepriceofthem;thetradesmandied;thephilosopherthoughtthemoneywasgained;buthisconsciencecausedhimbringbackthemoney,andthrowitintotheshop."Takeit,"sayshe,"thouartalivetome,whiledeadtoalltheworldbesides."Hencetwothingsbelongtothispartofrepentance.

(1.)Restitution,orrestoringthethingagain,whichhasbeensinfullyandwrongouslytakenawayfromothers.Hethatcandoit,andwillnot,cannotrepentofthatsin;forhewilfullyfeedsonthefruitofhissin;andthatisacontinuinginitinconsistentwithturningfromit.Andsincethereisnopardonofthatsinwhichamandoesnotrepentof,itisamaximindivinity,Nonremittiturnisirestituitur,namely,toapersonthatisable,butunwillingtodoit.HenceZaccheusproveshimselfatruepenitentbyrestitution,Luke19:8.Andonemayaswellthinkathiefmayrepentinthetimeheisfeedingonwhathehasstolenfromhisneighbour,asthatonemayrepentofwhatinothercaseshehasunjustlytakenfromhisneighbour,andcan,butwillnotrestore.Whenloverspart,theygivebacktheirtokens;andsowhenasinnerpartswithhissin,herestoresallthathehadunjustlytakenfromothers.

(2.)Reparationasfarasmaybe,inthosecaseswhereinproperrestitutioncannotbemade:asinthecaseofunjustwoundingourneighbour'shonour,reputation,peace,quiet,andcontentment,&c.Henceisthatexhortation,Jam.5:16,"Confessyourfaultsonetoanother,andprayoneforanother,thatyemaybehealed."Onemayaswellpretendtorepentandgooninsin,aswilfullytorefusethisandrepentofthesin.Thelikereparationisnecessaryinthosescandaloussins,wherebythehonourofGodisimpairedbeforetheworld,religionwounded,andexposedtothecontemptandscornofprofanemen,andtheheartsofthegodlysaddened.Torepentofsuchsins,andyetwilfullytorefusethewaywherebythehonourofGod,andthecreditofreligion,mightinsomemeasureberepaired,isimpossible.Onemayaswellpretendtorepentofhiswoundingaman,whilehestandslookingonhimbleedingtodeath,andwillnot,thoughitisinhispower,binduphiswounds.

USE.1.Hencewemayseewhatistheproperwaytofollowoutthedesign

ofourcongregationalfast;namely,toturnfromoursinswhichhaveprovokedtheLordtowrathagainstus.Forhumiliationwithoutreformationcandolittleservice.Leteachofuslayourhandstoourheart,andconsiderwhathasbeenthecoalthatwehavecastintoraisethisflame,andheartilyturnfromthesethings.Ifso,wewouldreadilywearwiththankfulnesstheblessingsobtainedbyprayers.

2.Allthetrouble,grief,andsorrowthatmenhavefortheirsinislittleworth,ifitissuenotinturningfromsin.Formentobesighing,butstillgoingbackward,isnotrepentance,butofthatsortwhichmaybecarriedoninhell,througheternity.Ifturningbenotjoinedtomourningforsin,itisunsanctifiedsorrow,thatwillneitherbeacceptabletoGod,norprofitabletooursouls.

3.Turningfromsinoutwardly,whiletheheartremainsgluedtoit,isnotrepentanceeither.Itisaneasythingtoreformoutwardly;butthegreatbusinessliesingettingtheheartweanedfromtheworldandlusts.Ifwewouldbesatisfiedastothetruthofourrepentance,wemustlikewiseexaminethemotivesprevailingwithustoturnfromsin;forthemeanandlowmotivesthatrisenohigherthanourselves,ourownadvantage,ease,safety,&c.willneverdenominateustruepenitents.

4.Repentanceisnottheworkofadayorayear,buttheworkofourwholelives.Forsoturningfromsinis.Sinfollowsus,whilewefleefromit;oftendoesitovertakeus,andsowemustrenewourflight.ThewholelifeofaChristianisawar;inthatwararemanybattles,sometimestheChristiangainstheday,andsometimesheloses.Ifhelose,hemustrenewthebattle;ifhewin,hemustpursuethevictory,andlayhisaccountwithanewengagement.Thegreatcomfortis,thatthoughhemayloseabattle,yetheshallbevictoriousinthewar:"TheGodofpeaceshallbruiseSatanunderhisfeetshortly,"Rom.16:20.

5.Lastly,Seeherethenecessityofturningfromsin."Exceptyerepent,"saysthetext,"yeshallalllikewiseperish."Now,ifyedonotturnfromsin,yedonotrepent;thereforeifyeturnnotfromitbyrepentance,yeshallperish.Oursinsoroutsoulsmustgo.Turn,orburninthefireofGod'swrath,isthechoice.Letusthenreturnspeedilyandthoroughlyfromallouriniquities,soshalltheynotbeourruin.

II.InrepentancethereisareturninguntoGod:Hos.6:1,"Come,andletusreturnuntotheLord."Thisisthetermtowhichthesinnercomesback.SinisadepartingformGod,repentanceisacomingbacktohimagain.Itisacomingback,likethatofarunawayservanttohismaster,returningtohisplaceanddutyinthefamily.SincarriedawaymankindfromGodtwoways.

1.SincarriedmenawayfromGodasaportionwhereintorest.Heisall-sufficienttohimselfandtohiscreatures,andnonebutheisso.SincarriedmanawayfromGodtothecreaturesforhappinessandsatisfaction:hencesaysJehovah,Jer.2:13,"Mypeoplehavecommittedtwoevils:theyhaveforsakenmethefountainoflivingwaters,andhewedthemoutcisterns,brokencisterns,thatcanholdnowater."*Thereheseeksaresttohisheart.ByfaithmanreturnstoGodasaportion,uniteswithhimagainthroughChrist,andtakesuphiseverlastingrestinhim.Thushereturnsasthedovetotheark,Is.60:3,"Whoarethesethatflyasacloud,andasthedovestotheirwindows?"

2.SincarriedmanawayfromGodasaLordandMaster,towhomheowesobedience.InthisrespectmanreturnstoGodbyrepentance,returningtohisduty,Psal.119:59,"Ithoughtonmyways,andturnedmyfeetuntothytestimonies;"asHagarwasbytheangelsentbacktoSarah,Gen.16:9.MenturningfromGod,turntheirbacksonhislaws,andmaketheirownluststheirlaws;buttherepentingsinnerturnsbacktothelawsofGod,Psal.119:59,forecited.HehasslipthisneckoutoftheyokeofthecommandsofChrist,buthecomesandtakesitonagain,nevertothrowitoffmore,Matth.11:29.Hehasgoneofftheroad,thestraitway;buthecomesback,andbidsaneternalfarewelltothebroadway.Andthereishere,

1st,AreturnofthesoultoGodhimself,1Kings18:37,consistingintheheart'sturningtothelovingandlikingoftheLordasaLordandMaster.SinnersdepartingfromGod,notonlymisliketheirservice,buttheMasterandhishouse:Luke19:14,"Hiscitizenshatedhim,andsentamessageafterhim,saying,Wewillnothavethismantoreignoverus."Theyarefilledwithprejudicesagainsthim,thereisanaturalaversioninthehearttohim,theycannotawaywithsubjectiontohim.Hence"theysayuntoGod,Departfromus;forwedesirenottheknowledgeofthy

ways,"Job21:14.Butinrepentancethataversioniscured,andthesoulinclinesandmovestowardshiminheartandaffections.Thisconsistsinthreethings.

(1.)ThesoulisbroughttoesteemtheLordworthytobeservedandpleasedinallthings.ThenameofGodistothepenitentaworthyname,Jam.2:7.ThesoulseesthetranscendentgloryandexcellencyofGod,worthyofalladorationandobedience;andsoslightsanddisdainsallothermasters,asunworthyoftheserviceofanimmortalsoul.

(2.)ThesoulchoosethhimasitsonlyLordandMaster,saying,asinIs.26:13,"OLordourGod,otherlordsbesidestheehavehaddominionoverus:butbytheeonlywillwemakementionofthyname."ThiswasJoshua'schoice,chap.24:15,"Asformeandmyhouse,wewillservetheLord."Theenlightenedmindbeholdshisglory,thegloryandexcellencyofhimself,hisimage,laws,ordinances,andservice;andtherenewedwillconsentsandcleavestohim.Ithastriedmanymasters,"servingdiverslusts,"Tit.3:3;butcouldneverhavesatisfactionintheserviceofanyofthem,andthereforesays,asHos.2:7,"Iwillgoandreturntomyfirsthusband,forthenwasitbetterwithmethannow."

(3.)ThesoullooksupontheserviceofGodasitsgreathappiness.Hencesaidtheprodigal,whenhecametohimself,"Howmanyhiredservantsofmyfather'shavebreadenoughandtospare,andIperishwithhunger?Luke15:17.Andthereforethesaintsarefounddeclaringthemhappywhoaremostemployedinhisservice,asthequeenofShebasaidofSolomon'sservants:Psal.65:4,"Blessedisthemanwhomthouchoosest,andcausesttoapproachuntothee,thathemaydwellinthycourts."And84:4,"Blessedaretheythatdwellinthyhouse:theywillbestillpraisingthee."Andtillthesoulcometothis,toaccounttheLord'sservicetheonlytruefreedomandhappiness,thoughtheymaytakeuphisservice,theywillnotabidewithit,becausetheydonotliketheirMaster.

2dly,ThereisinthisreturningareturnofthesoultoitsdutytoGod.HencesaidSaul,"Lord,whatwiltthouhavemetodo?"Acts9:6.WhoeverreturnstoGod,comeshomeasaservanttoentertowork:foridlersaboutGod'shousemaybenominalservants,butrealonestheycannotbe.God'sservantshavehigherrelationswhichtheystandinto

him;butallofthemhavedutyannexedtothem.AretheymarriedtoChrist?theymustbringforthfruit,Rom.7:4.Aretheyfriends?theymustdowhatsoeverhecommandsthem,John15:14.SeeMal.1:6.Now,thepenitentreturnstohisdutyinthesetworespects.

(1.)Thepenitentreturnstohisdutyinhisheart.Heis(1.)reconciledtothewholelawofGod,andthewholeyokeofChrist,sofarasitisknowntohimtobehislawandyoke,Psal.119:6."Ihaverespectuntoallthycommandments."HehasaloveandlikingofthedutiesofpietytowardsGod,andrighteousnesstowardsmen.Thoughthereremaininhimacontradictingprinciple,yethecansay,asRom.7:22,"IdelightinthelawofGod,aftertheinwardman."Theheart-enmityagainstthelawandthepowerofgodlinessisremoved,andnothingissodesirabletohimastobeholyasGodisholy.(2.)Hehasafullandfixedpurposeofnewobedience:Psal.119:57,"OLord,Ihavesaid,thatIwouldkeepthywords."Ver.112,"Ihaveinclinedmineeartoperformthystatutesalway,evenuntotheend."Hereturnswithapurposenevertobewhathehasbeen;topursueholiness,toenterupon,andkeepthewayofduty,whateverbethehardshipsanddifficultieshemaymeetwithinit.Andthispurposeisforto-day,notforto-morrowonly;nottodelayaminute,butpresentlytofallinwitheveryknownduty,asknowingthereisnotimefordelaying.

(2.)Thepenitentreturnstohisdutyinbothheartandlife.Heisbroughttosincereendeavoursafternewobedience:2Cor.7:11,"Behold,thisself-samething,thatyesorrowedafteragodlysort,whatcarefulnessitwroughtinyou,yea,whatclearingofyourselves,yea,whatindignation,yea,whatfear,yea,whatvehementdesire,yea,whatzeal,yea,whatrevenge!inallthingsyehaveapprovedyourselvestobeclearinthismatter."Purposeswithoutendeavoursarebutfairblossomswithoutfruit,whichwillneverproveapenitent.Ifthelamemanbecured,thoughnotperfectlycured,hewillriseandwalkashecan.Itistrue,whileherewecandonothingperfectlywell;butthetruepenitentwillendeavourtodoall,andaimatnolessthanperfection.HencesaidPaul,"Ipresstowardthemark,fortheprizeofthehighcallingofGodinChristJesus,"Phil.3:14.Sothepenitentreturningtohisduty,

[1.]Returnstothepracticeofeveryknownduty.HencesaidDavid,"Ihaverespectuntoallthycommandments,"Psal.119:6.Helaboursto

knowwhatisduty,andiswillingtoknowit;andwhenknown,endeavourstoperformit.Heputshandtoexternalandinternalobedience;toserveGodinheartandlifetoo;toperformhisdutytoGodandtohisneighbour;personalandrelative,secret,private,andpublic.

[2.]Returnstospiritualityineveryduty:Phil.3:3,"Forwearethecircumcision,whichworshipGodintheSpirit,andrejoiceinChristJesus,andhavenoconfidenceintheflesh."*Thetruepenitentwillnotsistinthecarcaseofduties,butwillendeavourtogetintothoseunseenthingswhereliesthelifeandsoulofduties;namely,tohavehisheartimbuedwithlovetoGodastheprincipleofhisobedience,touchedwithregardtothehonourofGodashisend,raisedaboveselfishendsanddesigns,andperformingallinfaith,leaningontheLordforstrength.

Now,thisreturningtotheLordis,

1.Asincerereturning,notfeignedandhypocritical,withthewholeheart,Jer.3:10.Hypocritesaresaidtohaveaheartandaheart,adividedheart,oneforGod,andanotherfortheirlusts.ButtheLordsaysinthiscase,Ifyetakeme,letthesegoaway.Fornomancanservetwomasters.Itisareturningtohimtoabidewithhimforever,asOnesimustoPhilemon,ver.15.Thepenitent,liketheservantunderthelaw,hisearisnailedtoGod'sdoor-posts,toservehimforever.Toreturnforatimeisnaught.

2.Avoluntaryreturn.Thepenitentcomesbackwithheartandgood-will,Psal.110:3,"Thypeopleshallbewillinginthedayofthypower;"asonethatisgoingbacktoagoodandhonourablemaster,andwillservehimwithgladness:Psal.100:2,"ServetheLordwithgladness."TheythatareonlydrivenbacktoGod,byheavyrodsorsharpconvictions,willcomeawayagain;yetpeoplemaybedrivenatfirsttoGod,whoseeinghisgloryandexcellency,andthedesirablenessofhisserviceafterwards,dovoluntarilyandheartilyyieldthemselvestohim.

3.Aspeedyreturn:Psal.119:60,"Imadehaste,anddelayednottokeepthycommandments."Theythataresincerewillnotdelayforamoment;theywillmakenotrucewithsin.Themomentwhereintruerepentancetouchestheheart,istheprecisetermofgoinghometoGod;fortheyknowthatiftheydelayamomentlonger,thatmomentmaybethefatal

momenttothem.

4.Athoroughreturn.Thesoulsticksatnoknownduty,butembracesall,beiteversohard,andunpleasanttofleshandblood.HencesaidtheLordofDavid,Acts13:22,"IhavefoundDavidthesonofJesse;amanaftermineownheart,whichshallfulfilallmywill."ThepenitentputsablankinGod'shand,saying,"Lord,whatwiltthouhavemetodo?Speak,Lord,"sayshe,"thyservantheareth."HeisforthewillofGod,withoutdisputing.ForGodisanabsolutemaster,andisthereforetobeobeyedwithoutreserve.

USEofthispoint.Itletsussee,thatnegativereformationisnotsufficientforrepentance.Onemustnotonlyturnfromsin,butturnuntoGod.Wemustnotonlyputawayevil,buttakeintousthecontrarygood:Is.1:16,"Washye,makeyouclean,putawaytheevilofyourdoingsfrombeforemineeyes,ceasetodoevil,learntodowell,"&c.Wemustnotonlygiveupwithsuchandsuchlusts,butbeenduedwiththecontrarygraces.Somepeoplereformfromtheevilsoftheirlife,buttheydonotgoforwardtothepositivewaysofholiness.Theysatisfythemselves,withtheproudPharisee,thattheyarenotunjust,noextortioners,&c.;but,alas!theydonotconsider,thatwhenthehousewhichthedevilgoesoutofisempty,hereturnswithsevenspiritsmorewickedthanhimself,andsothelaststateofsuchapersonisworsethanthefirst,Matt.12:44,45.

THEAPPLICATION

Icomenowtotheapplicationofthewhole.AndhereIwouldsoundthealarmintheearsofimpenitentsinners,torepent,andturnfromtheirsinsuntoGod.Osinners,repent,repent;yearegoneawaytoyourlustsandidols,turnfromthem;yehaveturnedyourbackonGod,turntohimagain.Inprosecutingthiscalltorepentance,Ishall,

1.Endeavourtoconvinceyouoftheneedyouhavetorepent.

2.Laybeforeyouatrainofmotivestorepentance.

3.Shewyouthegreathindrancesofrepentance.And,

4.Givedirectionsinordertoyourobtainingrepentance.

I.Ishallendeavourtoconvinceyouoftheneedyouhavetorepent,tomakewayforthemotivestoit.Therearethreesortsofpersonsthatwillreadilystaveoffallourcallstorepentance.

1.Onesays,Irepentofmysinsdaily.Wellwereitwiththee,ifitwereso.Surelythereisneedforit.Butnonearesoreadytopretendtothis,asthosethatneveryetknewwhatitistorepent.Ifruingtheillthouhastdone,asighforit,andashort-windedwishformercy,berepentance,itiseasywork.Butitisnotso.Thoucanstnotrepentwithahaleheart:thatheartofthinemustberentforsin,andrentfromit;thoumustturnfromsinuntoGodinallknowndutiesofobedience.Ifyepretendthentorepentance,bringforthfruitsmeetforit.Buttosuchpretendedpenitentswemaysay,asSamueltoSaul,1Sam.15:14,"Whatmeaneththenthisbleatingofthesheep,andthelowingoftheoxen?"

2.Anothersays,Ihaverepentedalready.ButOconsider,repentanceisnottheworkofaday,butofthywholelifetime,sincethouartneverfreeofsin,Jer.8:6.Newprovocationsrequirenewrepentance;nay,oldsinsarenottobeforgotten.HencesaidMoses,Deut.9:7,"Remember,andforgetnothowthouprovokedsttheLordthyGodtowrathinthewilderness."AndhencepraysthePsalmist,Psal.25:7,"Remembernotthesinsofmyyouth,normytransgressions."Andifthourepentofthemthoroughly,thouwiltbeashamed,andthewoundwillbleedafreshattheremembranceofthem.Hencesaidtheapostle,Rom.6:21,"Whatfruithadyeinthosethings,whereofyearenowashamed?"

3.Anotherseesnoneedofrepentanceforhim;forsuchpersonsareofthatblindedgenerationthatarepureintheirowneyes,andyetisnotwashedfromtheirfilthiness,Prov.30:12.Theydenytheirsininsteadofmourningoverandconfessingit,sayingasver.20."Ihavedonenowickedness."Theypossiblykeepfreefromthegrosspollutionsoftheoutwardman;andforthepositivedutiesofreligion,theyeitherseenoneedofthem,oriftheydoperformthemtoo,theyareblindtothecorruptionoftheirnature,andtoheartsins,andthespiritualityofthelawofGod.ButyeneedrepentanceasmuchastheproudPharisee,Luke18andastheApostlePaul,Rom.7:9.comparedwithTit.3.ButO

consider,

1st,Aretherenotmanyofusthatnevergotasoundawakeningalltheirdays?Theyhadlivedunderthesoundofthegospel,butitneverbroketheirresteffectuallyinasinfulcourse.Iwillreadthemysteryofyourcase,Luke11:21."Whenastrongmanarmedkeepethhispalace,hisgoodsareinpeace."Repentthen,elseyeareundone.

2dly,Aretherenotmanywhoseawakeninghasproducedapartialchangeonthem,butithasendedinafearfulapostacyfromthewayofGod?2Pet.2:22."Itishappeneduntothemaccordingtothetrueproverb,Thedogisturnedtohisownvomitagain;and,thebowthatwaswashed,toherwallowinginthemire."Theirfairblossomtheyoncehad,hasgoneupasdust.Repent,oryourbackslidingwillbeyourruin.

3dly,Aretherenotmanysleepingvirginsatthisday,whoareinacourseofdepartingfromGod?Thelife,vigour,andtendernesstheysometimeshad,isgone;anddeathhassettleddownontheireyelids,andtheyareturnedtobeofthecolouroftheearth.Tothesewemustsay,asRev.2:5."Rememberthereforefromwhencethouartfallen,andrepent,anddothefirstworks."

4thly,Aretherenotmanylivinginknownsin?Theyknowtheparticularswhereintheyarewrong,andyetontheygo,asanoxtotheslaughter.Theircorruptionsaretoostrongforconscience.Yemustrepent,oryewillperish.Profanecourseswillmakeamiserableend,andonesinretainedwillruinthesoul.

5thly,LookandseewhetherthoucanstperceivethefootstepsofChrist'sflock,orofthedevil'sdrove,onthewaywhichthouartgoing,Cant.1:8.IsyourcasethecasewhereinthefaircompanywalkedwithdisplayedbannerstoCannan,orthatwhereinmanyhavesleptandslippedawaytothepit?

6thly,Canstthoudenybutthattherearemanyfoulstepsthouhastmadeandartmaking?Othenrepent.Gonofartheron;onestepmoremayputyoubeyondreturning,Luke14:24.LittleknowsthesinnerhowsoonGodmaytakethefootfromhim,eitherbyclappingawitheringcurseonhim,

asonthefig-tree,Hos.4:17.orbytakinghimred-handinhissin,andsendinghimtothepit,Prov.29:1."Hethatbeingoftenreproved,hardenethhisneck,shallsuddenlybedestroyed,andthatwithoutremedy."

MotivestoRepentance

II.Iwilllaybeforeyouatrainofmotivestorepentance

MOTIVE1.Considertheobligationsthatlieonyoutorepent.Sitdownandconsiderhowmanifoldtiesareonyoutoit.

1.ThecommandofGodobligethyoutoit:Acts17:30."Godcommandedallmeneverywheretorepent."Andwillyenothaveregardtothesovereignauthorityofhimthatmadeyou?Thecommandtorepentanceisoneofthetwogreatcommandsofthegospel,Acts20:21."TestifyingbothtotheJews,andalsototheGreeks,repentancetowardGod,andfaithtowardourLordJesusChrist."Thisisthecommandwhichtheprophetsofolddidsoofteninculcate,Ezek.18:30."Repent,andturnyourselvesfromallyourtransgressions;soiniquityshallnotbeyourruin."ThisourLordJesusandtheBaptistpreached,andhisdisciples,saying,"Repent,forthekingdomofheavenisathand."ThistheApostlespreached,Acts2:38."Repent,andbebaptizedeveryoneofyouinthenameofJesusChrist,fortheremissionofsins."Andthisallalongisthejointsoundofthepreachersofthegospel.Soitisanoldandnewcommandtoo.Nocommandismoreperemptorilylaidon,asinthetext.AsyeregardthenGod'sauthority,repent.

2.Yourbaptismobligethyou:Mark1:4."Johndidbaptizeinthewilderness,andpreachthebaptismofrepentance,fortheremissionofsins."ItisasolemntielaiduponyoutoreturntoandserveGodtheFather,Son,andHolyGhost;todieuntosin,toliveuntorighteousness.YehavethentakenontheLord'sbadge;howdreadfulmustitbetocontinuerunawaysfromyourGreatMaster?Repent,then,andreturn,asyewouldnotbetreatedasrunawaysfromyourcolours,asrebelsthatcastoffyourallegiancesworntotheKingofheaven.

3.Yourmerciesobligeyouinpointofgratitude;Rom.2:4,"Despisestthoutherichesofhisgoodness,andforbearance,andlong-suffering;notknowingthatthegoodnessofGodleadeththeetorepentance?"yourcommonmercies,andspecialones,preventing,restraining,&c.Everymercyisforfeitedbysin;yetyearestillinGod'sdebt,andeverydayanewloadoffavoursislaidon,andthesearestrongtiestorepentance.

4.Lastly,Yourprofessionobligethyou.YeprofessyourselvesChristians.IfyewillnamethenameofChrist,thendepartfrominiquity,2Tim.2:19.WhydoyecallGodFather,ifyewillneedsdotheworksofthedevil,(John8:44.)whichChristcametodestroy?DoyeprofessChristyourRedeemer,theHolyGhostyourSanctifier?whythendoyecontinueinbondagetoyoursin,inunholycourses?DoyebelieveeverysindeservethGod'swrath?whatmadnessisitthentobetreasuringupwrathagaintthedayofwrath?Quityourprofessionthen,orquityoursinfulcourses.

MOTIVE2.Seriouslyconsiderwhatsinis,thatyearesofondof,prefertoChrist,andfortheenjoymentofitforfeitthefavourofGod.Whatdoyouseeinit,thatdoessopowerfullycharmyou?Ifyouaretakenwiththeprofitofit,yewouldconsiderthatnoadvantagewillquitthecostofthesoul'sruinbroughtaboutbyit:Matt.16:26,"Forwhatisamanprofited,ifheshallgainthewholeworld,andlosehisownsoul?orwhatshallamangiveinexchangeforhissoul?"Job27:8,"Forwhatisthehopeofthehypocrite,thoughhehathgained,whenGodtakethawayhissoul?"Ifyouaretakenwiththepleasureofit;thatisdearbought,beingpurchasedattherateofeternalflames,whichsinwillbringmentowithoutrepentance.Thepleasuresofsinarebutmomentary,Heb.11:25.AndthereisfarmoreinGod'sservice,eveninthisworld:Psal.4:6,7,"Therebemanythatsay,Whowillshewusanygood?Lord,liftthouupthelightofthycountenanceuponus.Thouhastputgladnessinmyheart,morethaninthetimethattheircornandtheirwineincreased."Consider,Iprayyou,

1.Hasnoteverybaitahookwithit?Prov.23:31,32.Istherenotatrap,gin,andsnareinthemallforyou?Howoftenhaveyeseentherehasbeendeathinthepot,whenyehavesitdowntofeedyourcorruptions?Yehavesnatchedatthebait,buthaveyenotinthemeantimefeltyourselveswoundedwiththehook?yehavesmelledtherose,buthavenotthe

pricklesmeanwhileannoyedyou?Andhowcanitbeotherwise?for"hethatdiggethapit,shallfallintoit;andwhosobreakethanhedge,aserpentshallbitehim,"Eccl.10:8.

2.Isthereanysolidrestinasinfulcourse?No,surely:Is.57:21,"Thereisnopeace,saithmyGod,tothewicked."Donotyourconscienceswitness,thatthestingofguiltintheconscienceislikeadeadflyintheointment,causingalltobeunsavoury?Istherenotalwaysawormattherootofeverysinfulgourdyousitdownundertheshadowof?Donottheverymaybeesofconsciencesuckthesapoutofyourlustsmanytimes?Willanymansay,thateverhefoundresttohissoulinacourseofdepartingfromGod?No,no;tenthousandworldswillnotsatisfyanimmortalsoul.

3.Donotyefindsintobeaninsatiabletyrant,likethegraveandthebarrenwomb,neversaying,Itisenough?Is.57:20."Thewickedarelikethetroubledsea,whenitcannotrest,whosewaterscastupmireanddirt."Obuttheyhaveahardtask,thathavelivingragingluststofeed!James4:2,3,"Yelust,andhavenot:yekill,anddesiretohave,andcannotobtain:yefightandwar,yetyehavenot,becauseyeasknot.Yeask,andreceivenot,becauseyeaskamiss,thatyemayconsumeituponyourlusts."Psal.78:18,19,"AndtheytemptedGodintheirheart,byaskingmeetfortheirlust.Yea,theyspakeagainstGod:theysaid,canGodfurnishatableinthewilderness?"Themoretheyareindulged,themoretheygrowrampant:themoretheirthirstiscaredfor,thegreaterthirstiscreated.Hencemeninasinfulcoursegofromeviltoworse.

4.Isnotasinfulcourseamostfoolishcourse?NomanisunfaithfultoGod,butheisunfaithfultohimself,andhisowninterestandhappiness.TheLordofferstoreasonthematterwithyou,andtomakeyourconsciencesjudge;Isa.1:18,"Comenow,andletusreasontogether,saiththeLord:thoughyoursinsbeasscarlet,theyshallbeaswhiteassnow;thoughtheyberedlikecrimson,theyshallbeaswool."Itstandsbetwixtyou,andtemporalandeternalhappiness.Itisapoisonouscup,bringingdeathalongwithit.Andhowfoolishisitformentohugaserpentintheirbosom,whencalledtothrowitout;todrinkacupofpoison,whencalledtothrowitaway;totakecoalsintheirbosom,whenitistoldtheywillburnthem;tocourttheirowndeathandruin?

5.IsnotsintheseparationwallbetwixtGodandyou?Is.59:2,"YouriniquitieshaveseparatedbetweenyouandyourGod,andyoursinshavehidhisfacefromyou,thathewillnothear."Doesitnotmaryourcomfortfromtheword,yourconfidenceintheLord,andyouraccesstoGodinduties?doesitnotmakeasitwereagulfbetwixtHeavenandyou,thatwhatevercommunionothershavewithHeaven,yourunrepented-ofsinsletsyouhavenone?Shallthisbeyourchoice?Sure,then,yeneednotwonder,ifyewillnotcomebacktoGod,hebidyouatlastdepartfromhim,"intoeverlastingfire,preparedforthedevilandhisangels."

6.Lastly,Considerwhatwillbetheendthereof.Sorelyitwillbebitternessintheend:Jer.2:19,"Thineownwickednessshallcorrectthee,andthybackslidingshallreprovethee:knowthereforeandsee,thatitisanevilthingandbitter,thatthouhastforsakentheLordthyGod,andthatmyfearisnotinthee,saiththeLordGodofhosts."Howeverpleasantthecupseemtobeatthebrim,thedregsofitwillbebitter:Prov.9:17,18,"Stolenwatersaresweet,andbreadeateninsecretispleasant.Butheknowethnotthatthedeadarethere;andthatherguestsareinthedepthsofhell."Howevertakingtheentertainmentbe,thereckoningwiltbedreadful.

MOTIVE3.Consideryemustdie:Heb.9:27,"Itisappointeduntomenoncetodie."Deathiscertain,andthereforerepentanceisnecessary.Oifmenwouldrealizedeathtothemselves,sinnerswouldsoonfinditnecessarytoturnanewleaf.OnehearingGen.5.readinthechurch,wassoimpressedwiththethoughtsofdeath,thathepresentlybetookhimselftoanewcourseoflife,thathemightdiewell.Wemustallmeetwithdeath,liedowninthegrave;letusviewitaforehand,andseehowitcallsustorepent.Looktothydyinghour,andtothygrave,Oimpenitentsinner,andconsiderthesefewthings.

1.Wouldstthoubecontenttodieasthoulivest?Thoulivestinthysin,withoutGod;wouldstthoudesiretodieso?ManyindeedentertainBalaam'swish,forthedeathoftherighteous,whiletheycarenotfortheirlife,Num.23:10,"Letmediethedeathoftherighteous,andletmylastendbelikehis."Butrememberhedidnotgetit,chap.31:8,"BalaamalsothesonofBeortheyslewwiththesword."Andwhiledeathissouncertain,itisthehangingofaneternalweightonahair,tolooktoget

mattersmendedthen,thatarenotmendednow.

2.Consider,whatwillasinfullifelooklikeonadeath-bed?Howwillyebeabletolookyourunrepented-ofguilt,andalongeternityinthefacetogether?Ezek.22:14,"Canthineheartendure,orcanthinehandsbestronginthedaysthatIshalldealwiththee?ItheLordhavespokenit,andwilldoit."Sinsitseasynowonasleepyconscience,whilehealthandstrengthlasts,anddeathappearsnot.Butwhendeathstarestheeintheface,andtheawakenedconsciencefliesuponthee,itwillcuttheetotheheart,thatthouhastnotrepentedbefore.

3.Whatwillitbetodie,andgotoanotherworldwithaloadofunrepented-ofguiltonthyback?Looktoyourgraveaforehand;thinkwithyourselves,howwillitbetoliedowntherewithyourbonesfullofyouriniquity?Isitnotbestnow,toshakeoffandeastawayyourtransgressions,asknowingthathoweveryemaylivewiththem,yecannotdiewiththemwell.

4.Atadyinghouryemustpartwiththeworld,andtheenjoymentofyourlusts.Thefoulfeastyesitatnow,deathwilloverthrowthetable,andthesadreckoningforitcomesinthen,andcontinuesforever.Oriseupnow,andleaveitbyrepentance.PartwiththesethingsatGod'scall,whichyemustpartwitherelong,whetheryewillornot.

5.Lastly,Thereisnorepentanceinthegrave,Eccl.9:10.Yemustrepent,oryeperish;anditisnowornever.Marmattersnowbyanimpenitentlife,andletdeathcatchyouthere,yeshallneverbeabletomendthemmore.Theworkingtime,andtimeoftrialisoverthen.Ifthebrittlethreadoflifewerebroke,whichmaybesnaptasunderinamoment,thenyearebeyondthelineofmercy.Thecandleburnttosnuff,shallbeassoonbroughttobornagain,astimeshallberecalled.

MOTIVE4.TakeaviewofthetribunalofGod,beforewhichthoumustappear:2Cor.5:10,11,"Wemustallappearbeforethejudgment-seatofChrist;thateveryonemayreceivethethingsdoneinhisbody,accordingtothathehathdone,whetheritbegoodorbad.KnowingthereforetheterroroftheLord,wepersuademen."Osinner,knowestthounotthatthereisajudgmenttocome,andhowthiscallstheetorepent?Acts

17:30,31,"Godcommandethallmeneverywheretorepent:becausehehathappointedaday,inthewhichhewilljudgetheworldinrighteousness,bythatmanwhomhehathordained:whereofhehathgivenassuranceuntoallmen,inthathehathraisedhimfromthedead."Werementolieforeverneglected,withoutafuturereckoning,asthebeaststhatperish,theymightliveastheylist,thehazardofcondemnationforaneternitywouldnotpressthem.Butitisnotso:Heb.9:27,"Itisappointeduntomenoncetodie,butafterthisthejudgment."Consider,

1.Whilethouartgoingoninsin,thydebttothedivinejusticeisincreasing,theaccountsareswelling;andthereckoningforthembeforethetribunalwillbeterrible,howeverlittleyethinkofthemnow,Eccl.11:9.Theymayfalloutofthymemory,buttheywillnotfalloutofthebookofGod'sremembrance,Hos.13:12.Butnowisthetimetogetthemlaidoveronthecautioner'sscore.

2.Thoughthouwiltnotseekthemoutnowtomournoverthem,andturnfromthem,theywillfindtheeoutbeforethetribunalofGod,Happywouldthesinnerbe,ifhissinswouldpartwithhimatthegrave;butthey"shallliedownwithhiminthedust,"Job20:11:oriftheywouldliedownwithhimthere,iftheywouldliestillandneverriseagain;but"Godshallbringeveryworkintojudgment,witheverysecretthing,whetheritbegood,orwhetheritbeevil,"Eccl.12:14.TheJudgeisomniscient,nothingcanbehidfromhim,heisnotcapabletoforgettheleastinjurywhichthesinnerhasdonetohisglory;allmustcomeintotheaccount.

3.WhenthouseestChristcomeagain,andhisthronesetforjudgment,whenthetrumpetshallblow,andthedeadarise,andmadetocompearbeforethattribunal,whentheheavensandearthshallpassaway,whatwillbethythoughtsofstavingoffrepentauce?

4.Lastly,Thystateforeternitywillbedeterminedthereaccordingtothydeedsdoneintheflesh.Impenitentsinnerswillgetalongeternitytoruetheirobstinacyin,whilethosethatrepentedintimeshallbehappyforever.

MOTIVE5.Tomoveyoutorepentance,considerthesufferingsofChrist.

ARomansenatorintendingtoprovokethepeopletorevengethedeathofCæsarkilledbyBrutus,broughtforthhisbloodyrobe,andcried,"Hereistherobeofyourlateemperor."AndOwillyelooktothebloodyrobeofChrist,hunguponthepoleofthegospel,tomoveyoutorepentance?Zech.12:10,"Theyshalllookuponmewhomtheyhavepierced,andtheyshallmournforhim,"&c.Andlearnhere,

1.HowdreadfulmustGod'sindignationagainstsinbe,whichiswrittenwiththebloodofChrist,piercedwiththeswordofjustice.Isitnot"afearfulthingtofallintothehandsofthelivingGod?"Andshallwecontinueinsin,againstwhichsuchindignationappeared?

2.SinappearedterribleinSodomwheninflames,butyetmoreterribleinmountCalvary,wherethejusticeofGodpursuedtheSonofGodwiththeswordofvengeance.Aspectacleofamazement,theSonofGodsetupforamarktothearrowsofGod!Doyenotaskintothecauseofallthis?Itwassin.Thechildrenatethesourgrape,andthefather'steethweresetonedge.Theycontractthedebt,justicelaysholdonhim,andhe"restoreswhathetooknotaway,Psal.69:4.Theelecttookonthedebtjovially,butheisputtotearsandstrongcriesinthepayingofit.Andwillwenothateandloathsin?

3.Manywaterscannotquenchlove,neithercanthefloodsfromabovenorfrombelowdrownit."Beholdhowhelovedyou."HemighthavebeenhappyinhisFather'slove,thoughmortalshadneversharedofitwithhim.Butsuchwashislovetosinners,asmadehimlaydownhislifeforthem,thatsoawaymightbeparedfortheegressofhisFather'slovetowardsthem.Andwillyenothateandloathesinwhichwasthecauseofhisdeath?Isthisyourkindnesstoyourfriend?

4.WhenChristsuffered,theearthquaked,rocksrent,thedeadarose,thesunwasstruck,blindwiththesight,andhidhisfaceforshame:andhowcanwestandunmoved,whowerethefirstmoversofthebloodytragedy,whosesinsfurnishedaJudastobetrayhim,aPilatetosentencehim?&c.Lookhere,andmournfor,andturnfromsin.

5.Lastly,Didhenotsufferenough?musthesuffermorestill,eveninhisstateofexaltation?willyegrievehisSpirit,trampleonhislaws,yeaand

hisblood,continuingimpenitentinyoursins?

MOTIVE6.ConsiderthewrongdonetoGodbyyoursin,inwhichyemayseetheuglypictureofit.ThiskeptJosephfromyieldingtoastrongtemptation,Gen.39:9;andpiercedDavid'sheartwithrepentanceforhissin,Psal.51:4;andlayheavyontheprodigalson,Luke15:18.EverysinreacheththethroneofGodinheaven,andhimthatsitsonit.Itistrue,themaliceofsinnersagainstGodisimpotentmalice,andcandohimnorealprejudice,dotheirworst.Theycannotmakehimlesshappy,theycannotdisturbhispeace,Job35:6–8.Butthesinnerislikethebeggarfullofsoreslyingonadunghill,ventinghisspiteagainsttheprinceonthethrone.HewrongsthehonourofGod,hisdeclarativeglory,thoughhecandonothingagainsthisessentialglory.Sinner,thouwrongestGodbythysin,

1.Bysettingthyselfinoppositiontohisnatureandwill.Whatissincontinuedinwithoutrepentance?"AwalkingcontrarytoGod,"Lev.26:21;aninterpretativeaimtothrowhimdownfromhissovereignty,Psal.14:1,"Thefoolhathsaidinhisheart,ThereisnoGod."Thoumaystputwhatfaircoloursthoupleasestuponit;butitisathrowingouttheflagofdefianceagainsttheGodthatmadethee.Fordostthounottherebyineffectdisregardhisall-seeingeye,andpresenceeverywhere,biddefiancetohisjustice,andcallinquestionhistruth,despisehisgoodnessandmercy,andruncountertohisholynatureandwill,whilethouruneststillonthatofwhichhehassaid,Jer.14:4,"OhdonotthisabominablethingthatIhate!"Andisthisacoursetobeinsistedin?

2.ThouwrongestGodbytramplingonhislaws,Is.33:22.Hehasgiventheealawtobetheruleofthylife,hehasstampeditwithhisownsovereignauthority,fenceditwithpunishmentsthreatened,suitabletohisinfinitegreatness:butthoumakestnomoreofthesethaniftheywerecobwebsfitonlytocatchflies.Thoubreakestthroughthefences,andincontemptofhisauthority,willbeoverintotheforbiddenground.ThusthouaffrontesttheGodthatmadethee:willhesitwithitthinkye?No,hecanavengetheaffront,James4:12,"Thereisonelawgiver,whoisabletodestroy;"andhewilldoit,Luke19:27,"ThosemineenemieswhichwouldnotthatIshouldreignoverthem,bringhither,andslaythembeforeme."

3.ThouwrongestGodbydespisinghisSon,John5:40.YewrongGodattherateheathenscannotdo,andthereforeyourcondemnationwillbegreaterthantheirs,John3:19.GodhassenthisSonintotheworld,byhisdeathtoprocurereconciliationbetwixtGodandsinners;hehas"exaltedhimtogiverepentance,"Acts5:31:butbyyourcontinuinginsin,yeslighthisdeath,andthepurchaseofhisblood:youloveyourdiseaseso,asyouloathethePhysician.Whatwillbetheendofthesethings?Acts13:41,"Behold,yedespisers,andwonder,andperish."

4.ThouwrongestGodbygrievinghisSpirit,Eph.4:30.HearGod'scomplaintsofimpenitentsinners,Ezek.6:9,"Iambrokenwiththeirwhorishheartwhichhathdepartedfromme,andwiththeireyeswhichgoawhoringaftertheiridols."Amos2:13,"Behold,Iampressedunderyou,asacartispressedthatisfullofsheaves."HowoftenhastheSpiritoftheLordbeenatworkwithyoutoturnyoufromyoursins,speakingtoyoubytheword,providences,thesecretchecksofyourownconscience,andsecretmotionsandwhisperswithinyourownbreast,butalltonopurpose?Thiswillnotlast:Gen.6:3,"AndtheLordsaid,Myspiritshallnotalwaysstrivewithman,forthathealsoisflesh."Anditwillhaveadolefulend,ifyedonotrepent:Is.63:10,"Theyrebelled,andvexedhisholySpirit:thereforehewasturnedtobetheirenemy,andhefoughtagainstthem."IfsinnerscontinuetobeaburdentotheSpiritofGod,anddonottakeofftheburdenbyrepentance,Godwillthrowitofftotheircost:Is.1:24,"ThereforesaiththeLord,theLordofhosts,themightyOneofIsrael,Ah,Iwilleasemeofmineadversaries,andavengemeofmineenemies."

5.ThouwrongestGodbydefacingtheremainsofhisimageinyourownsoul,"Godmademanupright,afterhisownimage."Adam'ssinruinedhisimageinus.Butthemorewegoonandsin,werenderourselvesstillthemoreunlikeGod,andthemorecontrarytohim.Howfearfulisthis,tobestillblottingoutanyappearanceofthetraitsofGod'simageinus?

6.Lastly,ThouwrongestGodbytheillinfluenceyourexamplehasonothers.HencesaysourLord,Matth.24:12,"Becauseiniquityshallabound,theloveofmanyshallwaxcold."Everyimpenitentsinnerisanagentforthedevil,andinvitesandencouragesotherstodespiseGodandhisways,andsowillbemadetoreckonforthemischiefhissindoesthat

way.Therichmaninhellwassensibleofthis,thoughitwouldseemnotbefore,Luke16:27,28,"Ipraythee,father,"saidhetoAbraham,"thatthouwouldstsendhim[Lazarus]tomyfather'shouse:forIhavefivebrethren;thathemaytestifyuntothem,lesttheyalsocomeintothisplaceoftorment."

Now,willyegoon,thuswrongingGodbyyoursin,andnotturnfromituntohim?Consider,Iprayyou,

1.HeisyourCreator,Eccl.12:1.Hegaveyouabeing,andbroughtyououtofthewombofnothing,andwillyenotbeforhim?willyebeagainsthim?Hasnothethatmadeyouarighttoruleyou?doesnotreasonitselfsay,thatGod'screatingusgiveshimasovereigndominonoverus?OwhywillthecreaturethussetitselfagainsttheCreator?Willthepotsherdsstriveagainstthepotter.

2.HeisyourPreserver,Heb.1:3.Acts17:28.Youliveonhisearth,feedonhisgoodcreatures,breatheinhisair,andwillyenothearkentohisvoice?Whowasitthatpreservedtheeinthewomb,thatbroughttheeoutofit,sothatitwasnotmadethygrave?Whohaskeptthebrittlethreadofthylifefrombeingbrokenhitherto,andfedtheeallthylifelong?IsitnottheLord?Andwiltthoufightagainsthimwithhisownbenefitswhichhehasbestowedonthee,yea,isbestowingontheewhilethougoestoninthysin?Shallthelife,strength,comfortsoflife,time,&c.whichhehasgiventhee,beemployedtothegrievingofhisSpirit?Whatwilltheendofthesethingsbe?

3.Hecandestroyyou,andthatwhenhewill,Matth.10:28.Yourlifeandbreathisfromhim,andhecanstopitwhenhepleaseth.Hedoesnotsufferyoutogoontoyoursin,becausehecannothelpit,nay,themomentthouprovokesthim,hecanstriketheedead,orsendtheedownaliveintothepit.Buthewaitstobegracious.Andthisoneconsiderationmightdeterminesinnerstorepent,ifmadnesswerenotintheirhearts,settingthemtoprovokehim,whoinamomentcandestroythem,andmakethemsilentinthegrave.

4.HeisyourWitness,Psal.51:4.Luke15:18.SinnersthatlikenottoretainGodintheirknowledge,doineffectpleasethemselveswiththe

notionthatGodisclosedupinheaven,Ezek.9:9."Fortheysay,TheLordhathforsakentheearth,andtheLordseethnot."Butthedaycomeswhentheywillseethemselvesmiserablydeceived.No;heisawitness,thoughmanytimesasilentwitness;buthewillspeakinduetime,Psal.50:21,22.Theopeningofthebookofconscience,andofGod'sremembrance,willclearhisbeingawitnessofyourwholewayandeverystepofit.

5.Lastly,HewillbeyourJudge,2Cor.5:10.Andheisanomnicientone,fromwhomnothingcanbebid;ajustone,thatwillrewardeveryoneaccordingtohisworks;anomnipresentone,fromwhosepresencetherecanbenoescape;anomnipotentonewhocanwithoutfailmakehissentencetakeeffect.Willmenpretendtobelieveajudgmenttocome,andyetbeatnopainstomakethejudgetheirfriendaforehand,butkeepupthewaragainsthim,andnotbreakitoffbyrepentance?Alas!horridunbeliefisatthebottomofimpenitency.

MOTIVE7.Godiscallingyoutorepentance.BenotdeaftothecallsofGod,lesttheLordpayhomeyourrebellion,byrefusingtohearyouwhenyecalltohim,Prov.1:24.anddownwards.Godiscallingyoutorepentance,

1.Bythemercieswherewithheisdailyloadingyou.Quotbeneficia,totora.Rom.2:4."Despisestthoutherichesofhisgoodness,andforbearance,andlong-suffering;notknowingthatthegoodnessofGodleadeththeetorepentance?ThesearethecordsofamanwherewithGodisdrawingyou.ThatyouaresparedonGod'searth,thatyouarekeptoutofhell,thathegivesyoudailybread,anddoesnotlockupheavenandearththattheymaynothelpyou,callaloudtoyoutorepent,andturntohim.Andhetakesnoticehowlittletheseprevail,Jer.5:24."Neithersaytheyintheirheart,LetusnowfeartheLordourGodthatgivethrain,boththeformerandthelatterinhisseason:hereservethuntoustheappointedweeksoftheharvest."

2.Godiscallingyoutorepentancebythecrossesandafflictions,eitherlaidonyou,orthreatened.EverycrossprovidenceisamessengerfromHeavencallingyoutorepentance:Mic.6:9."Hearyetherod,andwhohathappointedit.Theymeetyouinthewayofsin,astheangeldidBalaam;theybidyouhalt,andgonofartheron;nay,theybidyoureturn

totheLord.Godisspeakingtothelandthisway,tothischurch,andtothecongregation,andtoeveryoneofusatthisday.

3.Godiscallingyoutorepentancebythepreachingoftheword,Acts17:30.Thisisthegreatscopeofallourpreaching,thatyemayrepentandturnfromyoursinsuntoGod.AndwhileGodcontinueshisgospelwithus,itisasignheiswaitingforourrepentance:buttocontinueinsinoverthebellyofallwarnings,willhaveafatalendtotakeusfromthegospel,orthegospelfromus;whichwehavegroundtofearatthisdayonmoreaccountsthanone.HencesaysChristtothechurchofEphesus,Rev.2:5,"Rememberfromwhencethouartfallen,andrepent,anddothefirstworks;orelseIwillcomeuntotheequickly,andwillremovethycandlestickoutofhisplace,exceptthourepent."

MOTIVEult.Considerthetext,"Exceptyerepent,yeshallperish."Therearetwothingsinthistopressyoutorepentance.

1Ifyerepentnot,yeshallperish.Sinunrepentedof,bringsruinuponkingdoms,churches,congregations,families.Andthatisliketobetheruinofourland,andofourchurch,atthisday.For,alas!thefaceofallatthisdayislikethatdescribed,Jer.8:6."Ihearkenedandheard,buttheyspakenotaright:nomanrepentedhimofhiswickedness,saying,WhathaveIdone?everyoneturneduntohiscourse,asthehorserushethintothebattle."Godhasthreateneduswithdesolatingstrokes,andisyetthreateningbutthegenerationisliketothosescoffersspokenoff,2Pet.3:4.saying,whereisthepromiseofhiscoming?AndbecauseGoddoesnotspeedilyexecutethesentence,thereforemencastofffear,andgoonintheirsins,indefianceofheaven.Butthatconcernsusnearly:Jer.9:9."ShallInotvisitthemforthesethings?saiththeLord:shallnotmysoulbeavengedonsuchanationasthis?"

Sinunrepentedofwillruinyoursouls;Exceptyerepent,yeshallperish.Consider,yourlife,yoursoulslieatstake.Sinner,thouhastgoneawayfromGod,thysoulisleftinpawnthatthoushaltreturnbyrepentance.Ifthoureturnnot,thypawn,thysoulislost,lostforever.Heaven'sgateistoonarrowtoletyouintherewithaburdenofunrepented-ofsinonthyback.Nay,heaventhoucanstneversee;hellthoucanstnotescape,ifthourepentnot.Thegospelcallsyoutorepent;ifnot,theLordJesusshallbe

revealedfromheaven,withhismightyangels,inflamingfire,takingvengeanceonyouthatknownotGod,andthatobeynotthegospelofourLordJesusChrist,"2Thess.1:7,8.Havepitythereforeonyoursouls,Ezek.18:31,32,"Castawayfromyouallyourtransgressions,wherebyyehavetransgressed,andmakeyonanewheart,andanewspirit;forwhywillyedie,OhouseofIsrael?ForIhavenopleasureinthedeathofhimthatdieth,saiththeLordGod:whereforeturnyourselves,andliveye."Tothisnarrowpointthematterisbrought,Repent,orperisheternally;quityoursins,orquitheaven.

Now,Iprayyouconsiderhere,

1st,Thecertaintyofyourruininanimpenitentstate.YehaveitfromthemouthoftheLordhimself,inmostplainandperemptoryterms,that"exceptyerepent,yeshallperish."Ifitwerebutamay-be,itweresufficientinallreasontodetermineustorepentance;foritisunaccountabletoputthesoulinhazardofeverlastingdestruction,foralltheprofitorpleasureofasinfulcourse;athousandtimesmorethanforonetoputhimselfinhazardofdrowningtocatchafly.Butitisnotamay-be,butcertainlyitshallbe.

2dly,Allothergroundsofhopeareoutoff,ifyerepentnot.Tellme,Oimpenitentsinner,thatwillnotturnfromthysin,whatwiltthoutrusttoforsalvationfromthewrathofGod?WiltthoutrusttothemercyofGod?Itelltheethouartadespiserofmercy,Rom.2:4;andthoucanstnothaveitinthiscase,butoverthebellyofthetruthofGod;forhehassaid,"Exceptyerepent,yeshallperish."Prayconsider,ifthouwouldsthavemercy,thoumustseekitinGod'sway:Is.55:7,"Letthewickedforsakehisway,andtheunrighteousmanhisthoughts:andlethimreturnuntotheLord,andhewillhavemercyuponhim,andtoourGod,forhewillabundantlypardon."

WiltthoutrusttoJesusChrist,hisbloodandmerits?Donotdeceiveyourself.IsnotthisChrist'sownword,"Exceptyerepentyeshallperish?"doesnottheSaviourtelltheethis?Q.d.Noneofmybloodshalleverbewaredonasinnertosavehimfromwrath,thatwillnotrepentandturnfromhissin.Whydoesanybodyatallperishthathearsthegospel,iffolkmaycontinueimpenitent,andyetshareofChrist'sblood?No,no;to

whomChristwillbeaSaviourfromwrath,hewillbefirstaSaviourfromsin,Matth.1:21.Hewillfirstgiverepentance,beforehegiveaccesstoheaven;forChrist'sbloodwasnevershedtobringindogsandswineintohisFather'shouse,butshed,"thathemightredeemusfromalliniquity,andpurifyuntohimselfapeculiarpeople,zealousofgoodworks,Tit.2:14.

3dly,Wherewillthefruitofsinbe,whenthisdearreckoningbegins?Heb.10:31,"ItisafearfulthingtofallintothehandsofthelivingGod."Thoumaystgetatimetorunthycourse:butatlengththyeye-stringswillbreak,thelastpulsebeat,andthesoulwilltakewingandgotoanotherworld,andbecauseofunrepented-ofsin,becondemnedtoeverlastingflames.Andwhenthouenterestthere,whatwillabidewiththeeofallthesatisfactionthouhasthadinthysinfulcourses?No;thenthoumustbidaneternalfarewelltoallsatisfaction,ease,ordelightwhatsoever,eitherinGodorthylusts.

4thly,Howwiltthoubeabletostandundertheloadofwrathinthepitofdestruction?Is.33:14,"ThesinnersinZionareafraid,fearfulnesshathsurprisedthehypocrites:whoamongusshalldwellwiththedevouringfire?whoamongstusshalldwellwitheverlastingburnings?Howwiltthoubeabletograpplewithvengeance,theMediator'svengeance,whileGodshallholdtheeupwiththeonehand,andpunishtheewiththeother?Thinkintimeonthewormthatneverdies,andthefirethatisneverquenched:foreitherthoumustrepentnow,orthatwormwillgnawthee,andthatfirescorchtheeforever.

Lastly,Considertheeternityofthisstate.Thepleasure,profit,andeaseofsinarebutforamoment;butthedestructionforsinunrepentedofisforever,2Thess.1:9.Omadness!toruntheriskofeverlastingpainforamoment'spleasure!Ifruing,sorrow,remorse,rageagainstone'sselfforsin,wererepenting,therewouldberepentanceenoughinhell.Menstaveoffrepentancenowforthebitternessofit;butthereisasweetinittoo:butthenyeshallhavethebitternessofitinfullmeasure,butnevertasteofthesweetnessofit;forthenthehopesofmercyarerazed;andafearfulsightofaneverlastingcontinuanceofmisery,withoutend.

Havepitythenonyourownsouls,andthrowthemnotawayforthat

whichcannotprofit.

2.Ifyerepent,yeshallneverperish.RepentanceisthewaytokeepoffthewrathofGodfromnations,churches,&c.RepentanceisthewayforeachofustoescapethewrathofGod:Ezek.18:30,"Repent,andturnyourselvesfromallyourtransgressions;,soiniquityshallnotbeyourruin."Acts2:38,"Repent,andbebaptizedeveryoneofyouinthenameofJesusChrist,fortheremissionofsins."Allthethreateningsofwratharesummonstorepent,andhavealwaysthatclauseunderstoodinthem,"Exceptyerepent,yeshallperish:"Rev.2:22,"Behold,Iwillcastherintoabed,andthemthatcommitadulterywithherintogreattribulation,excepttheyrepentoftheirdeeds."Thoughyehavesinnedwiththeworld,ifyerepentwithGod'select,yeshallnotperishwiththeworld.Consider,

1st,Itisnotfallingintosin,butlyinginsinwithoutrepentance,thatruinsfolktowhomthegospelcomes,John3:19.Forthereisaremedyprovided;anditisforalldiseasesofthesoul,eventheworstandmostdesperate:andsonothingcanbefataltothosethatarewillingtoemploythePhysician,andtoundergohismethodofcure.Theyareinglorythisday,whosesinshavebeenofthefirstmagnitude,asDavid,Paul,Manasseh,Peter,&c.buttheywererepentingsinners.

2dly,Thereismercyforthee,ifthouwiltrepent,andcometoChrist.Goodnews,Osinners,Ifyerepent,allyoursinsshallbeblottedout,yeshallbeembracedinthewideandwarmarmsofmercy;if,asyehavegoneawayfromGod,soyewillcomebackagain;Is.55:7,"Letthewickedforsakehisway,andtheunrighteousmanhisthoughts:andlethimreturnuntotheLord,andhewillhavemercyuponhim,andtoourGod,forhewillabundantlypardon."Rev.3:20,"Behold,Istandatthedoor,andknock:Ifanymanhearmyvoice,andopenthedoor,Iwillcomeintohim,andwillsupwithhim,andhewithme."Osirs,willnotbowelsofmercydrawyou?Godisnowonathroneofmercy;hestretchesoutthegoldensceptretoyouforpeace,ifyewillhaveitinhisownway:andinhisnameweproclaimmercytoallpoorsinnersthatdesiretoturnfromtheirsinsuntoGod.Owillnottheproclamationoftheindemnitytouchtheheartsofrebelsinners,andcausethemtorelent?

OBJECTION1.Butmysinsaremanyandgreatsins,ANSWER.God's

merciesaremany,Psal.51:1.andgreattoo,Psal.86:13;andhismercyismagnifiedinpardoningofsuch.Ifthysinswereasgreatasmountains,asmanyasthecatalogueofthemwouldreachfromheaventoearth,thereismercyforthee,ifthouwiltrepent:Is.1:18,"Comenow,andletusreasontogether,saiththeLord:thoughyoursinsbeasscarlet,theyshallbeaswhiteassnow;thoughtheyberedlikecrimson,theyshallbeaswool."Therearerichesofmercy,Eph.2:4abundanceofpardoninggrace,Is.55:7.

OBJECTION2.Ihaverelapsed,gonebackwiththedogtothevomit,andwiththesowthatwaswashed,tothewallowinginthemire.ANSWER.Thereismercyforbacksliderstoo:Jer.3:14,"Turn,Obackslidingchildren,saiththeLord,forIammarrieduntoyou."Ver.22,"Return,yebackslidingchildren,andIwillhealyourbackslidings."Ifitwerenotso,whocouldbesafe?Menmustforgiveinthatcase,andmuchmoreGodwill,Luke17:4.Forastheheavensareabovetheearth,soareGod'sthoughtsaboveours:Jer.3:1,"Theysay,Ifamanputawayhiswife,andshegofromhim,andbecomeanotherman's,shallhereturnuntoheragain?shallnotthatlandbegreatlypolluted?butthouhastplayedtheharlotwithmanylovers;yetreturnagaintome,saiththeLord."

OBJECTION3.ButIhavedespisedandalightedmercy,andtheremedyofsin.ANSWER.Theyhadgoneallthatlength,whohadsofardespisedmercy,andtheremedyofsin,astheyhadmurderedtheLordofglory,andyettheyobtainedmercy,Acts2:36,37,38.Despiseandslightitnomore,andyourformersinsshallnotberemembered.

OBJECTION4.Ihavesolonggoneoninsin,thatIcanhavenohope.ANSWER.Thelongerthegreaterisyoursin;yetGodhasnotdiscoveredtousanyparticulartime,beyondwhichhewillnotwait.Therearesomecalledattheeleventhhour;andthosethatcomeinthen,arenotrejected.Sowasthethiefonthecross.SeeEzek.33:10,11;Luke14:22;Joel3:21.

OBJECTION5.Butthereisnobody'scaselikemine.ANSWER.ConsiderthecaseofManasseh,2Chron.33.andofPaul,1Tim.1:13.Suchinstancesaredesignedtoencouragesinnerstorepentinhopeofmercy,Eph.2:7.Adam'scasewasmorehopeless,whohadsinnedagainstmorelightandmercy,thanyewerecapabletodo.Butsupposeyourcaseisa

non-suchevil,themercyofGodandthebloodofChristarenon-suchremedies.Andyemaybesure,sincehehassaid,John6:37,"Himthatcomethtome,Iwillinnowisecastout,"thathewillworkanewthingontheearth,ratherthanthatyourcasebeunhelped,ifyewillputitinhishand.SoIconcludethatthereismercyforyou,ifyewillrepent.

Lastly,Thoushaltcertainlybesavedforever,ifthoudostrepent:Ezek.18:30,"Repent,andturnyourselvesfromallyourtransgressions;soiniquityshallnotbeyourruin."Notruepenitentsgotohell.Heavenisthelanding-placeofalltruepenitents.Theythatturnfromtheirsinsnow,andturnuntoGod,shallforeverbewiththeLordinanotherworld.

Olooktotheglorythatisabove,andletyoursoulsbemovedtorepentancebyit.Castnotawaythehopeofeternalhappinessforwhatdoesnotprofit.

Now,sinners,considerthesethings,andbestirreduptorepentance,anddonotadventureoverthebellyoffairwarningtogooninacourseofimpenitency.Impenitencyunderthegospelisasinofadeepdye;bewareofit.

1.Itisacontinuationofsin;itdrawsoutthethreadofaGod-provokingcourse,addingsintosin,tillGodcutthethreadoflife.AndOaretherenotenoughofitemsstandinginGod'saccountsagainstyoualready?whywillyebestilladdingmore,insteadofdiminishingandbreakingoffthecoursebyrepentance?

2.Itsealssinandguiltonyoursoul.Impenitencykeepsalltherestofyoursinsfastonyoursouls:John3:19,"Thisisthecondemnation,thatlightiscomeintotheworld,andmenloveddarknessratherthanlight,becausetheirdeedswereevil."Ifyouwouldrepent,nosinswhatsoeveryouareguiltyofshouldeverbeabletoruinyou:butifyoudonot,thatonewillkeepalltherestinlifeandvigour,toyourutterruin.

3.Itfliesinthefaceofthegospel,ofChristhimself,hisapostlesandministers,whowithonevoicecallsinnerstorepentance.Ifyedothis,yedoall;ifyedonotthis,yedonothing;yereceivethegraceofGodinvain;itwillbeinvaintoyouthateveryouheardthegospel,thatChristdiedfor

sinners,&c.;foryewillharenobenefitbyanyofthesethings.

4.Lastly,Itisabloodysin,thatwillinvolveyouineverlastingmisery.ForthereisnoescapingofthewrathofGod;ifyedonotrepent,yeareundoneforever.For"exceptyerepentyeshallperish."

Now,yehavehadamessagefromtheLord,whatanswershallIreturntohimthatsentme?IthinkImayrankupallinthesesixsortsofsinners.

1.Thebrutishsinner,thathearsasifheheardnot.Thewordmakesanoiseintheirears,becausetheyarecapableofhearing;but,alas!theyarenobetterthanthebeasts,insofarastheymakenoreflectionsonit,withrespecttotheirstateandcase.WhatshallIsaytoyou,butthatthetimecomeswhenthesesoulsofyours,drownedinamossoffleshandblood,willbeseparatefromyourbodies,andgetalongeternitytoreflectonthecallsyehavehadtorepent?Is.1:3,"Theoxknowethhisowner,andtheasshismaster'scrib:butIsraeldothnotknow,mypeopledothnotconsider."Psal.32:9,10,"Beyenotasthehorse,orasthemule,whichhavenounderstanding:whosemouthmustbeheldinwithbitandbridle,lesttheycomenearuntothee.Manysorrowsshallbetothewicked."

2.Thesullen,desperatesinner,whoseanswerwillbethat,Jer.2:25,"Thereisnohope.No,forIhavelovedstrangers,andafterthemwillIgo."Theirheartsaregluedtotheirsins,theyhavenowilltopartwiththem,andtheyhavenohopethatevertheyshallbemadewilling,oriftheywereso,thatGodwouldreceivethem;andthereforetheyareresolvedtotaketheirtime.ButOconsider,theyhavebeenreformedthathavebeenasmadontheiridolsasyou,asManassehandPaul.Ifthatcannotdrawyou,prayanswerthatquestion,Is.33:14,"Whoamongusshalldwellwiththedevouringfire?whoamongstusshalldwellwitheverlastingburnings?

3.Thecrafty,subtilesinner,whoseanswerwillbethatofSaultoSamuel,1Sam.15:13."BlessedbethouoftheLord:IhaveperformedthecommandmentoftheLord."ButletthereturntothembethatofSamueltoSaul,ver.14."Whatmeaneththenthisbleatingofthesheepinmineears,andthelowingoftheoxenwhichIhear?"Whatmeansyourcontinuinginsin,yournotwrestlingandstrivingagainstitinheartand

life,ifitbeso?

4.Thepresumptuoussinner,whoseanswerwillbethat,Deut.29:19."Ishallhavepeace,thoughIwalkintheimaginationofmineheart."Therearesomewhohaveaheartofadamant,andputonaforeheadofbrass,thatnothingofthissortcanaffectthem.LetthemessengersoftheLordbesayingwhattheywill,theywillbedoing.Theywillhavetheircourse,andpersuadethemselvesallshallbewell.TosuchIwouldsay,asvers.20,21."TheLordwillnotsparehim,butthentheangeroftheLord,andhisjealousyshallsmokeagainstthatman,andallthecursesthatarewritteninthisbookshalllieuponhim,andtheLordshallblotouthisnamefromunderheaven.AndtheLordshallseparatehimuntoevil,outofallthetribesofIsrael,accordingtoallthecursesofthecovenant,thatarewritteninthisbookofthelaw."SeeIs.28:16.anddownwards.

5.Theslothfulsinner,whoseanswerwillbethatofFelixtoPaul,Acts24:25."Gothywayforthistime;whenIhaveaconvenientseason,Iwillcallforthee."Theyareconvincedthattheymustrepent,andresolvetodoit,butnotyet.Youngfolkputitofftooldage;oldfolkdelayittilladeath-bed.Everyoneputsitofffromtimetotime.ButOsirswhatcertaintyhaveyeofanhour,muchlessofayear?Howmanyaretherethatneverseeoldage?Howmanydropintoeternityereevertheyareaware?

6.Lastly,Theconvincedsinner,whobeingawakened,says,"WhatshallIdotobesaved?"ForwhichreasonIshall,

III.Showyouthegreathinderancesofrepentance.And,

1.Thoughtlessnessisagreathinderanceofit:Jer.8:6."Ihearkenedandheard,buttheyspakenotaright:nomanrepentedhimofhiswickedness,saying,WhathaveIdone?everyoneturnedtohiscourse,asthehorserushethintothebattle."Mendonotconsidertheirsouls'state,case,andway.Theysleepawaytheirtimecarelesslywithoutduereflection;andthereforetheirspiritualstategoestowreckandtheypineawayintheiriniquity,andarenotawareofthesame.

2.Theloveandcaresoftheworldaregreathinderancesofrepentance,Luke8:14.Thesetakeupmen'sheartsso,asthattheyhaveneitherheart

norhandforthecaseoftheirsouls.Howmanyarethere,whomtheworldkeepsinaconstanthurryalltheirlifelong,thattheynevercometoconsidertheirwaytilldeathstarethemintheface?

3.Prejudicesagainstreligionandseriousnessaregreathinderancesofrepentance.Someseenoprofitinit;but"godlinessisprofitableuntoallthings,havingpromiseofthelifethatnowis,andofthatwhichistocome,"1Tim.4:8.Someseenopleasureinit;but"wisdom'swaysarewaysofpleasantness,andallherpathsarepeace,"Prov.3:17.Somethinkthatitisneedlesstobeatallthatpains,forlesswillserve:but,alas!theydonotconsiderwhataholyjealousGodtheLordis,andhowmanyshallseektoenterin,andshallnotbeable.

4.Presumptionisagreathinderanceofrepentance,Deut.29:19.Theyhopestillallshallbewell,howevertheytaketheirlibertyinasinfulcourse.TheyabusethemercyofGodasascreentotheirlusts;notrememberingthathewillbynomeanscleartheguilty.

5.Unbelief,thenotembracingofChrist,andapprehendingthemercyofGodinhim,islikewiseagreatimpedimentinthewayofrepentance.And,

6.Lastly,Slothfulness,wherebythebusinessisstillputofffromtimetotime.

IV.Ishallgivedirectionsinordertoyourobtainingrepentance.SupposingwhatIhavesaidbeforeofthewaytogainrepentancebybelieving,Iofferfurtherthesefollowingdirections.

1.Labourtoseesininitsowncolours,whatanevilthingitis.Jer.2:19.Whatmakesustocleavetosin,isfalseapprehensionswehaveaboutit.Toseeitinitselfwouldbeameanstomakeusflyfromit.Forthisendconsider,

1st,ThemajestyofGodoffendedbysin.IgnoranceofGodisthemotherofimpenitency,Acts17:30.

2dly,Theobligationswelieundertoservehim,whichbysinwetrampleupon.

3dly,ThewrathofGodthatabidesimpenitentsinners.

4thly,Thegoodthingsourunrepented-ofsinsdepriveusof.

Lastly,ThemanyevilswhicharebredbyoursinagainstthehonourofGod,ourownandourneighbour'strueinterest.

2.Bemuchinthethoughtsofdeath.Considerhowshortanduncertainyourtimeis.Hopesoflonglifebringmanyintoahopelesscase.Andwhoknowswhenhemayhaveoutlivedhisdayofgrace,whenthemomentcomesthatGodshallsay,"MySpiritshallnotstriveanymorewiththisman,forthathealsoisflesh?"

3.Dwellonthethoughtsofajudgmenttocome,whereyeshallbemadetogiveanaccountofyourselves.

4.MeditateonthesufferingsofChrist.

5.PrayforrepentanceandbelievinglyseekandlongfortheLord'sgivingthenewheart,accordingtohispromise,Ezek.36:26."AnewheartwillIgiveyou,andanewspiritwillIputwithinyou,andIwilltakeawaythestonyheartoutofyourflesh,andIwillgiveyouanheartofflesh."Ver.32."NotforyoursakesdoIthis,saiththeLordGod,beitknownuntoyou:beashamedandconfoundedforyourownways,OhouseofIsrael."

6.Lastly,Whatyedo,doquickly.Thesooneryoubegin,theeasiertrilltheworkbe.

Takethethreefollowingmarksoftruerepentance.

1.Sorrowforsin,asoffensivetoagoodandgraciousGod,Zech.12:10.

2.Hatredofsin,asthemostabominablething,Rev.2:6.Thiswillbe,1.universal,againstallknownsin;2.constant,withoutintermission;3.implacable,withoutreconciliation;and,4.vehement,withouttoleratingit.

3.Afixedpurposeanddesireofeschewingsin,andfollowingduty;guardingagainstpresentsins,andtheoccasionsoftheseweareinhazard

of;honestlyendeavouringafteritintheuseofmeans,andlabouringtoremovethehinderancestoaholylife.

TheDangerofDelayingRepentance

Yetalittlesleep,alittleslumber,alittlefoldingofthehandstosleep.Soshallthypovertycomeasonethattravaileth,andthywantasanarmedman."-Prov6:10-11

IHAVEbeenpressingsinnerstorepentancefromtheformertext,andIhopebythistimeallofyoumaybeconvincedofthenecessityofitBut,alas!delaysinthismatterkillstheirtenthousands.Menputofftheworkfromtimetotime,tilltimebegone,andtheyaresurprisedintoruin,aswemaylearnfromthistext.Where,

1.Wehavethesluggard'spicturedrawninreferencetohiseternalconcerns;whichisthemainthinghereaimedat.Heisonethatputsoffhisgreatworkfromtimetotime,"Yetalittlesleep,alittleslumber,alittlefoldingofthehandstosleep."

Inthe6thversetheslothfulsinnerissettoschooltolearnalessonoftheemmet;whichthoughshehasnottheadvantagesthathehas,yethassomuchnaturalsagacity,astoprovideforwinter,inthetimeofsummerandharvest,whenmeatistobegot.Inthe9thversethereisarousingcalltothesinnertofollowthatexample.Butbeholdhowheentertainsit;asapersonthatisloathtoarise,hebegs"alittlemoresleep,alittlemoreslumber,alittlemorefoldingofthehandstosleep."Hereis,

1st,Somethingsupposed;andthatisthreefold.

(1.)Thesleeperconvincedthathehasslept,andneglectedhiswork.Therearemanywhoseethemselveswrong,yethavenohearttoendeavourtogetright.Theyareconvincedthattheirgreatworkisfarbehind,yethavenohearttostirtosetitforward.

(2.)Thesleeperconvincedthathemustawake,andsettohiswork.Slothfulsinnersmayseethatthecasetheyarein,isnotacasetheywould

venturetodiein:theyseethatitisnecessarytoturnoveranewleaf,tomindtheirsalvationatanotherratethantheyhavedone,oraredoing.

(3.)Thesleeperresolvedtoawake,andmindhisbusiness.Hewouldfainsleep,buthedoesnotdesigntosleeplong,tosleepalways.No;hedesignsbutalittlesleep,ifyewillbelievehim,andafterwardstoawake;though,poorsoul,hedoesnotconsiderthatheissleepingwithinthesea-mark,andmaybeswallowedupereheawakeoutofhislittlesleep.

2dly,Somethingexpressed;andthatisthreefoldtoo,

(2.)Adelaycraved:"Yetalittlesleep,"&c.Heisnotthinkingnevertowaken,nevertorepent,butonlyhecannotthinkondoingitasyet.Howeverlongasleephehastakeninsin,yethemusthavemore.Forasmen,themoretheysleep,themoretheywouldsleep;sothemoretheycontinueinsin,themoretheywouldcontinue.Andthemoretheyputoffrepentance,theyarethemoreunfitforit.

(2.)Thequantityofthisdelay:itisbutalittleinthesluggard'sconceit.ThoughtheSpiritoftheLordbegrievedandweariedwithwaitingonhisawakening,yethethinksthatallisbutlittle.Ifthesluggardconsideredthathiswholetimeisbutlittleincomparisonofeternity,theleasttimehespendsinhissleepwouldappearverygreat.But,alas!heconsidersitnot.

(3.)Themightyconcernheisinforthisdelay.Thoughhisruinbewraptupinit,heisfondofit,hisheartissetuponit;andhepleadsforit,asastarvingmanforbread.Easeissweettohim;andsohespeaks,"Alittlesleep,alittleslumber."Therearethreethingsherewhichhecraves,eachlessthantheother;whichshewshowloatheheistobestirhimself.(1.)"Alittlesleep;"notadeadsleep,butamoderateone.(2.)Ifthatcannotbegranted,lethimhavebut"alittleslumber;"anapping,asitwere,amiddlebetwixtsleepingandwaking.(3.)Ifhecannotgetthat,yethewouldhave"afoldingofthehandstosleep;"(Heb.)toliea-bed.Lethimbutliestillloitering,andembracinghissweetself,andnotpresentlybeobligedtorisetoputhandtowork.Lovetofoldedhandsgoesdeepwithhim.

Observe,howtheheartsofsinnersaregluedtotheirsins,andcarnalsecurity.Whenconsciencebeginstodrawthemoutoftheirbedofsloth,theywillnotyield,theywilldisputeeveryfootofgroundwithit.Andtheywilltakeverylittleeretheywantall.Owereweasniceinthepointofoursalvation,asinthestateofblindness,inthepointofourruin,howhappymightwebe?

2.Wehavethefatalissueofthiscourse.Delaysaredangerous,butmostofallinmattersofeternalconcern.Theissueofthesedelaysis,themanisruined,heneverawakestillitisoutoftime.Hislittlesleep,&c.spendsallhislittletime,andthrowshimoutquiteunprovidedintoalongeternity.Hereconsider,

1st,Whatruincomesuponhim:Povertyandwant.Itisheldforthunderthesenotions,toanswertotheprovisiontheantsmakeforthemselves.Theyprovideforthemselvesinsummerandharvest:sothatwhenthewintercomes,whentheycannotstiroutoftheirholes,theyliveontheprovisiontheyhavelaidin.Thereisawinterabidingus,atimewhereinnomancanwork,whentherewillbenoaccesstoGod'sgraceandfavour.Deathbringsinthis.Thistimeisoursummerandharvest,whereinmattersmaybesecuredforeternity:but,alas!thesluggardsleepsinworkingtime;andsowhenitisover,hemuststarveandperishforever.

2dly,Howthisruincomesuponhim.Itcomeson,

(1.)Swiftlyandspeedily.Sothewordrenderedonethattrarvaileth,imports:onethatwalkethvigorously,asamaninahasteupontheroad.Thoughthesinnerliesateaseonhisbedofsloth,yethisruinhastethonapace,2Pet.2:3.Thesunstandsnotstill,thoughthesluggard'sworkgoesslowlyon.Everybreathhefetchesinhisspiritualsleep,drawshisdestrnctionastepnearer.

(2.)Silentlyandsurprisingly;"Thypovertyshallcomeasonethattravaileth."Ifwesendoneonanerrand,wewillbelookingforhimagainatthetimeappointed;butweknownothingofthetraveller,tillhecomeatus.Soruincomesonthedelayingsinnerereheisaware;destructionisathisbedsideereheisawakened,Prov.29:1.

(3.)Irresistibly:"Thywantshallcomeasanarmedman;"(Heb.)amanofabuckler,whomayhurtthee;butnotthouhim,forhisbucklerdefendshim.Werethistravellerunarmed,thedangerwerenotsogreat;orwerethepartyattackedwatching,andarmedtoo,hemightpossiblycomeoffsafe.Butalas!thepoormanisnaked,andsleepingtoo;howthencanbemakehispartgoodagainsthisenemy?Hecannot;hemustfallasacrificetohisownsloth.Whichbringsmetoconsider,

3dly,Whatallthisitowingto:"Soshallthypovertycomeasonethattravaileth,"&c.Itisallowingtothecursedloveofease,tosloth,tothedelaysandpot-offs,wherewithprecioustimeissquanderedaway,andtheprecioussoulisirrecoverablylost,Theydelayanddelayon,tillthegoldenopportunityislost,andtheyaresweptawayintothepit,withalltheirgoodresolutionsforthetimetocome,whichtheyneversee.

ThepointIintendtospeaktofromthesewords,is,

DOCTRINE,Thedelayingandputtingoffofrepentanceorsalvation-work,isasoul-ruiningcourseamonggospelhearers.

Indiscoursingthisdoctrine,Ishallshew,

I.Whyitisthatgospelhearersdelayandputoffrepentance.

II.Thatthisdelayingisasoul-ruiningcourse.

III.Lastly,Makeapplication.

I.Ishallshewwhyitisthatgospelhearersdelayandputoffrepentance.Thereisagenerationthatarenotresolvednevertorepent,nevertoplysalvation-work;butonlytheyarenotforityet.Theyhopetomendandreformafterwards,butforthepresenttheyhavenohearttoit:sobycheatingthemselvesoutoftheirpresenttime,theyputacheatonthemselvesforever.Theyarecalledbytheword,andbytheirownconsciences,tomakereadyforanotherworld,toworkouttheirsalvation;buttheirheartssay,"Yetalittlesleep,alittleslumber,alittlefoldingofthehandstosleep;"andtheirpracticeisconformablethereto.Whyisitso?

1.Satanhasagreathandinthis.Ifhecannotholdoutthelightaltogetherfromdisturbingthem,hewilldowhathecantolullthemasleepagain,beforetheybefullywakened:Luke11:21."Whenastrongmanarmedkeepethhispalace,hisgoodsareinpeace."ThushedidwithFelix,Acts24:25,who,"asPaulreasonedofrighteousness,temperance,andjudgmenttocome,trembled,andanswered,Gothywayforthistime;whenIhaveaconvenientseason,Iwillcallforthee."Whenthesoulbeginstothinkonmakingitsescape,alltheartofhellwillbeemployedtoholditfast;anditiseasiertogetonetoputoffsalvation-worktillafterwards,thandownrighttorefuseitaltogether.AndthusSatanisalwaysononeofthetwoextremes,urgingeitherthatitistoosoon,orelsethatitistoolongadoing.

2.Thecaresandbusinessoftheworldcontributemuchtothis.HenceourLordexplained"theseedwhichfellamongthorns,tobethose,whowhentheyhaveheard,goforth,andarechokedwithcaresandriches,andpleasuresofthislife,andbringnofruittoperfection,"Luke8:14.Howoftenarepeopleinsuchanunsanctifiedthrongofbusiness,thattheycannotfindaconvenientseasonforputtingtheirsalvation-worktoapoint?Theyhavesomanyothercaresupontheirhands,thattheyjostleoutthecareoftheirsouls.Theyfindthemselveswraptupinacloudofcares;butthinkwiththemselves,thatweretheybutoncethroughthat,theyshallplytheirmainwork.Well,buttheyarenosooneroutofthat,thantheyareintoanother;andsoon,tilltheworkbeingputofffromtimetotime,isquiteneglected.Thetruthis,personsinsuchacasewillhardlyfindatimeforthatwork,tilltheyberesolutethattheyshalltakeitastheycanfindit.

3.Thepredominantloveofcarnalease:Prov.26:15,"Theslothfulhidethhishandinhisbosom,itgrievethhimtobringitagaintohismouth."WeareallnaturallylikeIssachar,whosaw"thatrestwasgood,andthelandthatitwaspleasant;andbowedhisshouldertobear,andbecameaservantuntotribute,"Gen.49:15.Couldpeoplegetsleepingtoheavenonthesluggard'sbed,woulddrowsywishescarrythemthither,manywouldbethepassengersinthatway.Butthatwillnotdo.Menmustlabour,strive,andwrestle;andthatishardintheeyesofcarnalmen;andtherefore,ifitcannothealtogetherrefused,itisputoffaslongasmaybe.

Andhenceneverwillasoulplysalvation-workinearnest,tillitbeeffectuallyrousedoutofitslazydisposition.

4.Thepredominantloveofsin.Whydopersonsstaveoffrepentance,butbecausetheyarelikethosewhoentertainingtheirfriendswhomtheyhavenowilltopartwith,dothereforeputofftheirdeparturefromdaytoday?Thepartingwithsinislikethecuttingoffofamemberofthebody,Matth.5:30;whichonewillneveryieldto,unlesshebeveryresolute.Nomanwilldelayaminutetothrowaburningcoaloutofhisbosom;buttheywilllovetokeepasweetmorselunderthetongue,whoyetknowthattheymustspititoutatlength.Andhenceitis,thatnopurposeofreformation,whichisonlyforafterwards,canbesincere;becauseitarguesaloveto,andloathnesstopartwithsin.

5.Anaturalaversionandbackwardnesstoholiness:Rom8:7."ThecarnalmindisenmityagainstGod:foritisnotsubjecttothelawofGod,neitherindeedcanbe."TheheartwillneverbereconciledtotheyokeofChrist,tillgracemakeitso,Psal.110:3.Butlikeasthebullockunaccustomedtotheyokeisloathtostooptoit,andthereforestilldrawsaback;sowilltheheartofmando,tillovercominggracereachit,Jer.31:18.Hence,whenlightisletintothemind,buttheaversionstillremainsinthewill,whatcanbeexpected,butthatthebusinessofrepentance,whichtheydarenotabsolutelyrefuse,willbedelayed?

6.Thehopeoffindingtheworkeasierafterwards.Thesluggardthinkswithhimself,thatalittlemoresleep,alittlemoreslumber,alittlemorefoldingofthehandstosleep,wouldmakeiteasiertohimtogetoutofhisbed;though,onthecontrary,themorehesleepsunseasonably,themorehewouldsleep;andthelongerpersonsdelaytheworkofrepentance,itisthehardertogothroughwithit.Forsinisadisease,which,thelongeritlasts,gathersthemorestrength,andishardertocure.Andhethatisnotfitto-daytorepent,willbelessfitto-morrow.

7.Alargereckoningontheheadoftimethatistocome:Hencetherichmanreckoned,"Iwillsaytomysoul,Soul,thouhastmuchgoodslaidupformanyyears;takethineease,eat,drink,andbemerry."ButletushearthejudgmentofGodconcerningthisspeech:"ButGodsaiduntohim,thoufool,thisnightthysoulshallberequiredofthee:thenwhoseshall

thosethingsbewhichthouhastprovided?"Luke12:19.20:Godhasgivennomanatackofyears,nonorhours;yeteverybodyisreadytotellwhattheywilldoto-morrow,nextmonth,ornextyear.Theyoungpeoplethinktheyhaveagreatdealoftimebeforetheirhandforrepentance;theoldpeoplethinktheyhaveenoughbeforethemforthattoo:andinpeople'sconceitthereisalwaysenough,tilltheirtimebegonequite,andtheybewakenedoutoftheirdream.Hopesoflonglifehaveruinedmanyasoul.Otobewise!James4:13.14."Gotonow,yethatsay,to-dayorto-morrowwewillgountosuchacity,andcontinuethereayear,andbuy,andsell,andgetgain:Whereasyeknownotwhatshallbeonthemorrow:Forwhatisyourlife?Itisevenavapourthatappearethforalittletime,andthenvanishethaway."Butwhatfollyisittoventureeternityonsuchuncertainty!

8.Afondconceitoftheeasinessofsalvation-work.Thereisagenerationthatpleasethemselveswiththethought,thatitisbuttobelieveandrepent,andthatissoondone.Whatpersonscandowithatouchoftheirhand,theythinktheyneedtobeinnohastewith.ButOhowcontraryisthistothewholestrainofScripture,andthesaint'sexperience?Matth.7:14,"Straitisthegate,andnarrowistheway,whichleadethuntolife,andfewtherebethatfindit."Luke13:24."Strivetoenterinatthestraitgate:formany,Isayuntoyou,willseektoenterin,andshallnotbeable."Eph.1:19,20,"TheapostlespeaksoftheexceedinggreatnessofGod'spowertowardthemwhobelieve,accordingtotheworkingofhismightypower;whichhewroughtinChrist,whenberaisedhimfromthedead.1Pet.4:18."Iftherighteousscarcelybesaved,whereshalltheungodlyandthesinnerappear?"Didmenbelievethis,thatthereissuchadifficultyingettingtoheaven,theywouldnotdaredelayforaminuteenteringontheway.

9.AconceitofsufficientabilityinourselvestoturnourselvesfromsinuntoGod.Thatthedoctrineadvancingthepowerofnaturalreasonandabilityinspiritualthings,doestakesomuchwiththeworld,isnowonder,sincemannaturallyissuchastrangertohisownspiritualimpotency.Henceitisobserved,thatthefirstquestionwiththeawakenedis,"WhatshallIdotobesaved?"Itisworthobservinghowthecarnalheartturnsitselfintodifferentshapes,toretainitssinfullusts.

Sometimesthemansays,thatheisnotabletodoanygood;butwhenhissincannotfindshelterunderthiscovertbutheispursuedhotwithconviction,heputsoffhisreformationandrepentancetoanothertime;therebyineffectdeclaringthathecandoit,ifhehadbutaseasonforit.Hethatistousehisoarsmayrowatwhathourhepleases;buthethatmustsailbythehelpofthewindmustsetoffwhileitblows,becausehecannotcommandit.

II.Ishallshowthatthisdelayingisasoul-ruiningcourse.

Thisisevidentifyeconsider,

1.Itisdirectlyoppositetothegospelcall;whichisforto-day,notforto-morrow:Heb.3:7,8,"To-dayifyewillhearhisvoice,hardennotyourhearts."Allthecallsofthegospelrequirepresentcompliance,anddonotallowsinnerstoputofftillanotherday.Itistrue,salvation-workmustbedeliberatework;butyearenotallowedatimetodeliberatewhetheryewillcometoChristandbeholyornot.Itislikethecalltoquenchfireinahouse,thatmustpresentlybedone,yetdonedeliberately,soastheworkbenotmarredinthemaking.Howthencanitbebutasoul-ruiningcourse?

2.Itisthreatenedwithruin.Thetextisveryexpress,"Soshallthypovertycomeasonethattravaileth,andthywantasanarmedman."Andonewithathousandtimesmoresafetymightventureonasword-point,thantheedgeofsuchadivinethreatening.SeeProv.23:21;Eccl.10:18.Andthisthreateninghasbeenaccomplishedinmany,whomtheirslothfuldelayshavecausedtoperish;asinthecaseofEphraim,Hos.13:13.andofFelix,Acts24:25.ManyhavebeennotfarfromthekingdomofGod,whoyetnevercametoit.

3.Whenevergracetouchestheheart,menseethatitisso.HencesaysthePsalmist,Psal.119:60,"Imadehaste,anddelayednottokeepthycommandments."WhenmenareinearnesttogetintoChristbyfaith,andtogetbacktoGodbyrepentance,theydarelingernomoreinthestateofwrath,theyfleeoutofit,asonefleeingforhislife,Matt.3:7.Theireyesareopenedtoseetheirdanger,andthereforetheyarepresentlydetermined.

4.Ithasanativetendencytosoul-ruin,whichinevitablyovertakesthem,iftheydonotatlengthbreakoffalldelays,andcomeaway.Thisisevident,ifyeconsider,

1st,Thestateofsinisastateofwrath,whereruinmustneedscompassamanaboutoneveryhand:John3:36,"HethatbelievethnottheSon,shallnotseelife;butthewrathofGodabidethonhim."TohavestaidinSodomthatdayitwastobeburnt,wasdangerous;buttoabideamomentinthestateofwrath,isfarmoredangerous.Whowouldventureintoahousethatisabouttofall?whowouldnotpresentlyleaveit?Andwillmenventure"yetalittlesleep,alittleslumber,alittlefoldingofthehandstosleep,"inastateofenmitywithGod?SurelysuchpersonsknownotGod'sgreatness,northeworthoftheirownsouls.

2dly,Thelongeryecontinueinsin,yourspiritualdeathadvancedthemoreuponyou.EverysinsetsyouastepfartherfromGod,isanewbarinthewayofyourpeacewithhim,strengthensyournaturalenmityagainsthim,andalienatesyoumorefromthelifeofGod.Andwherecanthisnativelyend,butinyoursouls'ruin?Ah!arewenotfarenoughoninthatwayalready?whydelaymore,thatwemaygoyetfartherofffromGod?

3dly,Whileyeremaininthisstate,thereisbutastepbetwixtyouanddeath,whichyoumaybecarriedoverbyadelayofeversoshortatime.Allthatisyoursecurityinthiscase,sofarasyecansee,isthebrittlethreadofyourlife,whichmaybebrokenwithatouch,andthenyeareruinedwithoutremedy.Sothateverydelay,shorterorlonger,ofrepentance,isaventuringofeternityonthatuncertainlifeofyours,whichinamomentmaybetakenfromyou.

USEI.ForInformation.Thisletsussee,

1.Thatdelayersofrepentanceareself-destroyers,self-murderers.Wellmayitbesaidtosuch,asEzek.18:31,"Whywillyedie?"Shouldamanwilfullyneglectaremedyforhisdisease,whichputshiminhazardofhislife,hecouldnotbeguiltlessofhisowndeath;morethanonewhobeingcalledtoriseandquenchthefireinhishouse,andyetwouldliestilltillitwereconsumedtoashes,wouldbeblamelessofitsruin.Self-love,thatis,

loveofsinfulself,isthesourceofthegreatestcruelty;wherebylustsaresparedtothedestructionofthelifeofthesoul.

2.Bydelaystheinterestofhellisadvanced;wheremanyarethisdaywhohadresolvedtorepent,butdeathdidnotwaittheirtime,andsotheyweredisappointed.Nowondernewgroundsofdelaybestilllaidtopersons'hands,foritisSatan'sgreatdrifttogetmenentangledinthewilderness,thattheymaynotmakeforwardtoCanaan'sland.Andeverynewentanglementsetsthesoulastepnearertodestruction:andwhoquestionsbutSatanhasartenoughtocoinnewpretencesfordelays?

3.NowonderSatanismostbusytoplytheengineofdelays,whenasinnerissomewhatawakenedbyconviction;ashedidwithFelix,Acts24:25."Asoftanswerturnethawaywrath;"anddelayswillblunttheedgeofconvictions,asmuchasaperemptoryrefusal.Underconvictions,atasermon,oronasick-bed,thesinnerisawakenedoutofhissleep;butthennothingcanserveSatan'spurposebetter,thanyetalittlesleep:whichiftheyget,theysleepofftheedgeofconvictions.

4.Theyaresinners'bestfriends,thatgivethemleastrestinasinfulcourse.Andwhatevermenthinkofthemnow,theywillthinksoafterwards,Prov.5:11,12,13.Everybodylovesease,andthereforefaithfulpreachinganddealingwithsouls,isatormenttothosewholovetobeundisturbedintheirrestinsin,Rev.11:10.Butwhatsuitsbestwithoursinfulinclinations,isworstforoursouls,andwillintheendbefoundso.Flatteryhasruinedmany,whenplaindealingandfairwarninghasbroughtmanyoutofthesnare.

USE2.OfLamentation.Wemaylamentherethecaseofmany,nayofmostthathearthegospel.Theyputofftheirworkfromtimetotime,andsotheirspiritualcaseisgoingtowreckdaybyday.Thisisthecaseinnaturalthings:Eccl.10:18."Bymuchslothfulnessthebuildingdecayeth,andthroughidlenessofthehandsthehousedroppeththrough."Theyareinadyingcondition,thephysiciancomestotheirbed-side,andoffersthemaremedy;theydonotabsolutelyrefuseit,onlytheyputoffthetakingofit.Inthemeantimetheirdistemperincreases,anddeathisadvancingapace.Themarketoffreegraceisopened,andtheyarecalledtocomeandbuy:theyseetheyneedtobuy,yettheyarenotliketostirtill

themarketbeover.Omadnessandfollytobelamentedwithtearsofblood!Poorslothfulcreature,thatisyetforalittlesleep,alittleslumber,alittlefoldingofthehandstosleep,therearefourthingsthouknowestnot.

1.Thouknowestnottheworthofaprecioussoul,whichthouartthrowingawayforwhatwillnotprofit.Willthesweetsleepissinquitthecostofthesoul'sruin?No,no:"Forwhatisamanprofited,ifheshallgainthewholeworld,andlosehisownsoulorwhatshallamangiveinexchangeforhissoul?"Matth.16:26.ChristleftthebosomoftheFather,andshedhispreciousbloodtoredeemthesoul.Hewaswisethatpaidtheprice;andiflesswouldhavedone,hewouldnothavebeenatneedlessexpenseofblood:hewasaFatherthatreceivedit;andwouldnothaveputhisSontothatifithadnotbeennecessary.Satangoesaboutwithoutintermissiontoruinit.Butwhatlowthoughtsdostthouentertainofit,thatwiltnotbreakthyresttosaveitfromruin?

2.ThouknowestnottheexcellencyofpreciousChrist;sleeplocksupthineeyesthatthoucanstnotseetheravishingsight,John1:10.Theeyesofsaintsandangelsarefixedonhim,asthegloryoftheupperhouse:theeyesopenedherebygrace,arearrestedbyhisovercomingglory.HencearetheserapturousexpressionsinScripture,Psal.73:25."WhomhaveIinheavenbutthee?andthereisnoneuponearththatIdesirebesidesthee."Cant.1:3."Becauseofthesavourofthygoodointments,thynameisasointmentpouredforth,thereforedothevirginslovethee."Zion'scrownedKingismakinghisprogressthroughthecitywherethoudwellest;thecrytocomeoutandbeholdhim,reachesthineears,Cant.3.ult;butwhilehegoesby,thoumusthave"yetalittlesleep,alittleslumber,alittlefoldingofthehandstosleep,"andsothoulosestthesight.TheroyalBridegroomstretchesforthhishanduntothee,toespousethee,saying,Beholdme,beholdme:thouopenestthydrowsyeyes,andbeginnesttostretchforththehand;butsleepovercomesthee,thineeyesclose,andthyhandfallsdownagain,andthematchismarred.ThechariotofthecovenantthatisdrivingontohisFather'shousehaltsatthydoor,andthouartcalledout:theshipistosailtoImmanuel'sland,thouartcalledtocomeaboard:but"yetalittlesleep,alittleslumber,alittlefoldingofthehandstosleep,"andallislost.

3.Thouknowestnottheworthofprecioustime.TheApostlewillhavetimeredeemed,Eph,5:16;butthousquanderestitawayasathingofnovalue;andworkingtimeisturnedbytheeintosleepingtime.Preciousmomentsslipaway,andthouregardestnot;thoughoncegone,theycanneverberecalled.Whatwouldthosewhoarepasthope,giveforanhourofthattime,whereofthoulettestdays,months,andyearsslip,withoutanyimprovementforeternity?Ounhappysoul,who"knowestnotinthisthyday,thethingsthatbelonguntothypeace!"

4.ThouknowestnottheweightofthewrathofGod.Itistruenonecanhaveafullcomprehensionofit,Psal.90:11."Whoknoweththepowerofthineanger?"ButalltheelectofGodgetsuchanotionofit,asrousesthemuptoflyfromit,2Cor.5:11."KnowingtheterroroftheLord,"saystheApostle,"wepersuademen."Andifthouhadsttolerableapprehensionsofit,itwouldbreakoffthysleepandslumber,andcausetheeputforththyhandstowork.DidstthouconsiderwhatafearfulthingitistofallintothehandsofthelivingGod,andhowwhenthoufallestdownagainintothybedofsloth,thouarttrulyinhazardofit,itwouldgivetheesuchagliffaswouldkeepthewaking.

Therearethreethingsthoudostnotobserve.

1.Thoudostnotobservewhatspeedthyruinismaking,whilethouliestatease;howthyjudgmentlingerethnot,"andthydamnationslumberethnot,"2Pet.2:3.Theavengerofbloodispursuingthee,thoughthouartnotfleeingfromthewrathtocome.Thouartlikeamansleepinginaleakyship,whichisdrawingwatereverymoment,andwithinalittleitwillbefull,andsinktothebottomofthesea,ifhedonotawakeandhelpit.Everyhourthydebtisgrowing,thecupofwrathisfilling,andfillssomuchthefaster,asthouartsecure.

2.Thoudostnotobservehownearthydestructionmaybe.Thouartliketheoldworld,who"wereeatinganddrinking,marryingandgivinginmarriage,untilthedaythatNoeenteredintotheark,andknewnotuntilthefloodcame,andtookthemallaway,"Matt.24:38,39.Thyspirituallethargyanddeadsleephinderstheefromhearingthesoundofthefeetoftheapproachingstroke.Thouliestopentothemostterriblesurprise,tosleepthesleepofdeath,whichthoumayestneverawakeoutoftillinhell,

Luke12:19,20.and16:23.AndOhowsadisitformentobepasthope,eretheybegintofear;tohavethehousefalling,eretheygetovertheirbed!

3.Thoudostnotobservehowutterlyunablethouarttowardofftheblowwhenitcomes:Is.33:14,"ThesinnersinZionareafraid,fearfulnesshathsurprizedthehypocrites:whoamongusshalldwellwiththedevouringfire?whoamongstusshalldwellwitheverlastingburnings?"Ezek.22:14,"Canthineheartendure,orcanthinehandsbestronginthedaysthatIshalldealwiththee?ItheLordhavespokenit,andwilldoit."CanwormmanstandbeforethealmightyGod,whosepatiencemaybewornouterethouawake?Andifmercyandpatiencequitthefield,justicewillsucceedintotheirroom;andthenthereshallbenomoresleeping,noreaseforever.

USE3.OfReprooftodelayersofsalvation-work.Whydoyegooninthissoul-ruiningcourse?Haveyenorespecttothecallsofthegospel,nonetoyoursouls,nonetoeternity?Whydonotyewithallyourmightwhateveryourhandfindethtodo?Iwouldapplymyselfhere,

1.Todelayingsaints.

2.Todelayingsinners.

1.Todelayingsaints;forsuchtheremaybe,andofsuchtherearemanyatthisday,Cant.5:2,3;andourtextisageneraltruthandwarning.Spiritualslothissointerwovenwithourcorruptnatures,thatitwillneverbequiterootedout,tillthecorruptnaturebeperfectlyexpelled.Andasitremainsingreatmeasureinthesaints,soitisfruitfulofdelays.Therearethesefivedelaysincidenteventothesaints.

1.Adelayofrightingtheircasewhenmattersarewrong,byrenewingtheirrepentance,andtheactingsoffaith.Sometimestheircaseisquiteoutoforder:theirgracesarenotinexercise;theyarestrangerstotheSpirit'sinfluences,andtoaccesstoandcommunionwithGodinduties.Theyhaveasecretdissatisfactionwiththis,andareresolvedtogettotheirfeetagain;butslothmastersthem,andtheworkisputofffromtimetotime;aswasthecasewiththespouse,Cant.5:2,3,"Isleep,butmy

heartwaketh,"saysshe,"itisthevoiceofmybelovedthatknocketh,saying,Opentome,mysister,mylove,mydove,myundefiled:formyheadisfilledwithdew,andmylockswiththedropsofthenight.Ihaveputoffmycoat,howshallIputiton?Ihavewashedmyfeet,howshallIdefilethem?"

2.Thedelayingtogiveupwithsomebosom-idolthatmarstheircommunionwithGod,Cant.3:1;Psal.66:18.Theyareconvinced,thattheharbouringofitdoesmuchharmtotheirsouls'case,andmanyresolutionstheyhavetoputtheknifetothethroatofit,butstilltheydrawbacktheirhand.Andfromonetimetoanotherthecrucifyingofitisputoff;sothatstillitlives,likeawasterinthecandle,causingthesoul'scasegotowreck.

8.ThedelayingtocleartheirstatebeforetheLord.Theyseeneedtohavemarchesrid,andtobebroughttoapointwhethertheybeinChristornot,whetherinastateofgraceornot.Theyhaveresolutionstoputittoasolemntrial,toexaminethemselves,andsearchwhatevidencestheyhaveforatitletoheaven:butstilltheheartdrawsback,andthetrialisputoff.

4.Thedelayingofsomeparticularduty,orpieceofgeneration-work,whichtheyareconvincedGodcallsthemto.Theyhaveoftenthoughtsofsettingaboutitinearnest;butstillsomeonethingorotherintervenes,anditisputoff.Theybeginperhapssometimes;butitisbrokenoffagain,andtheymustyethave"alittlesleep,alittleslumber,alittlefoldingofthehandstosleep."

5.Lastly,Thedelayingofactualpreparationforeternity;likethevirgins,Matt.25:5,who,"whilethebridegroomtarried,allslumberedandslept."Theyseethatitisnoeasythingtodie;theyresolvetolabourtoputthemselvesthroughgraceintoacaseforit;butdayafterdayitisdelayed.ThelampsarenottrimmedformeetingtheBridegroom.Thoughtheybeinagoodstate,theyhavenotadyingframe.

ToallsuchIwouldsay,asJon.1:6,"Whatmeanestthou,Osleeper?arise,calluponthyGod,ifsobethatGodwillthinkuponthee,thatthouperishnot."Letmeexpostulatewithyouuponthishead,Odelayingsaints.

1.Doyefindyourselvesanythingtheneareryourpurposebyallyourdelays?Naythelongeryedelay,donotyefindyourselvesthefartherfromit?Doesnotyouraversionandbackwardnesstodutygrowuponyouthemore?andisnotyourconfidenceintheLordstillthemorelessened?Yes;themoreyegiveyourselvestospiritualsleep,themoreyewilldesiretosleep.

2.Donotyefindthisthewaytorankpovertyandwant?Yourconscienceswillwitnessthetruthofthat,thatwherethediligentshallaboundwithblessings,theidlesoulshallsufferhunger.Isitwithyouasinmonthspast?Haveyethatsenseandgustofreligion,thataccesstoGodinduties,whichyehavehadwhenyeweredoingwithyourmightwhatyourhandfoundtodo?

3.Hasnotyourpovertycomeuponyouasonethattravaileth?HaveyenotbeensometimeslikeSamsonawakedoutofDelilah'slap,andfoundyourstrengthgonefromyouwhenyouhadmosttodowithit?PerhapsthouhastspentmanydaysinestrangementfromGod,withmuchease;butatlengthsomestrongtemptation,orpiercingtrialhasovertakenyou;andthenyouhavesuckedthebittersapofyourslothfuldelays.

4.Alittlemoresleep,alittlemoreslumber,alittlemorefoldingofthehandstosleep,andtheoccasionmaybelost,theopportunityfordoingneglecteddutiesmaybelost.Eithertheymaybetakenfromyou,oryefromthem.Nomanhasatackofhislife,norofoccasionsofdoinggood;andtherefore"aswehaveopportunity,letusdogooduntoallmen,especiallyuntothemwhoareofthehouseholdoffaith,"Gal.6:10.AndthoughthesoulthatisinChristshallbesavedsurely,yetthiswillmakethesalvationtobesoasbyfire.

5.Lastly,Thelongdelayedworkishardworkwhenitcomestothesettingtoo,Cant.5:5–8.Whentheawakeningcomes,theremaybelittletime,muchopposition,andlessstrengththanotherwisethouwouldsthavehad,andyetmoretodowithitthanotherwise.Thelongerthyhandisfromthycasethemoreravelledwillitbe.Anditwillreadilyoccasionmuchfear,darkness,andperplexityinadyinghour.

II.Iwouldapplymyselftodelayingsinners,tothosethatareyetoutof

Christ,andhavealltodoforeternitystill.Theyarelivinginastateofwrath,andyettheylinger,andputofftheirremovalfromSodom.Theydelayrepentance,andgoonintheirsin.Iwouldsaytoyou,asProv.6:9,"Howlongwiltthousleep,Osluggard?whenwiltthouariseoutofthysleep?"Imustexpostulatewithyouonthishead.

First,Yeyoungpeople,whydoyedelayrepentance?whyareyelikethewildasses'colts,untractableandunteachable?Nodoubt,yethinkitistoosoonforyou;thatitmaybetimeenoughseveralyearsafterthis.Yethinkrepentanceandseriousnesssuitsbestwiththewrinkledbrows,thepaleface,andholloweyes,&c.;thatitispitytospoilthebloomofyouthwithsuchwork.Whendoyemeantorepentthen?Itislike,itiswhenyearesettledintheworld,orwhenyegrowold;atleastthedaysofyouthmustbeoverfirst.But,poorfool,

1.Isthedebtofsinsosmalluponthyhead,thatthoumustrunthyselfdeeperinthedebtofGod'sjustice?Dostnotthouknowthatthouwastbornachildofwrath?Eph.2:3;thatthoubroughtestthatintotheworldwiththee,thatwilldamnthee,ifthourepentnot,andcometoChrist?Andwillnotthatsinktheedeepenoughindestruction,thoughthouaddnomoretoit,unlessthourepent?

2.Isnotthesameholylawbindingonthee,sincethoucouldstdiscernbetwixtgoodandevil,thatisbindingontheoldestalive?Havetheyoungalibertytosin,andtocastoffthefearofGodandreligion,morethantheold?SeeGal.3:10,"Forasmanyasareoftheworksofthelaw,areunderthecurse:foritiswritten,Cursediseveryonethatcontinuethnotinallthingswhicharewritteninthebookofthelawtodothem."Herethereisnoexception.Thefolliesofyouthmenmaypass;butassureyourselves,Godwillnotpassthem:Eccl.11:9,"Rejoice,Oyoungman,inthyyouth,andletthyheartcheertheeinthedaysofthyyouth,andwalkinthewaysofthyheart,andinthesightofthineeyes:butknowthou,thatforallthesethingsGodwillbringtheeintojudgment."AndIdoubtnot,butifyesawyoursinfulthoughts,words,andactions,whethervainorvile,laidbeforeyou,asyoumustreckonforthematlength,howfewsoeveryouryearshavebeen,youwillseethemtobemorethanthehairsonyourheads.AndImusttellyou,thatbeingyetunrenewed,andstrangerstothelifeofgrace,allyouractionshavebeensin:Prov.21:4,"Anhighlook,

andaproudheart,andtheploughingofthewicked,issin."Andisitnotthentimetorepent?

3.Whohasassuredthee,thateverthoushaltseetheagethouspeakestof?Gotothechurchyard,andyewillseegravesofallsizes,ofyourlengthandunder.Therearefarmoreyoungcorpses,thanthereareofthosethatcarrygrayhairs,tentoone.*Mostmenandwomenarecutoffbeforetheycometooldage.Whathasbefallenothersasyoungandflourishingasyou,maybefalyoutoo.Andtherefore,sinceyeknownotbutyemaydieyoung,repentwhileyeareyoung,lestintheendyefindyourselvesmiserablydisappointed.

4.Whohasbestrighttoyouryouthandstrength?Godorthedevil?Godiscourtingyouforhisowngift:Eccl.12:1,"RemembernowthyCreatorinthedaysofthyyouth."Satanwilllabourtokeephispossession.Godisthefirstandlast;andherequiredthefirstandbest,thefirst-fruits,thefirst-born,themorning-sacrifice;andherequiresthefirstofyourdays,andhetakespleasuretherein:Jer.2:2,"Irememberthee,thekindnessofthyyouth,theloveofthineespousals,whenthouwentestaftermeinthewilderness,inalandthatwasnotsown."AndwillyedevotethefirstandbesttosinandSatan,reservingthelastandworsttoyourCreator?

5.Greatistheadvantageofthosethatgetagripeofreligionwhiletheyareyoung,beyondothers,inmanyrespects.(1.)Readilytheirpassageinthepangsofthenewbirthwillbeeasierthanthatofothers.Innoneisthatscripturefulfilledmore,Mark4:27.oftheseed'sspringingandgrowingup,noneknowethhow,thanwheregracejoinswithgoodeducationinyoungpersons.Thenaillatelydriven,drawseasilyincomparisonofthatwhichhasbeenlongrustedin.Wheregracecatchespersonsbeforetheybegintodipintothegrosspollutionsoftheworld,itfreesthemofmuchremorsethatthesemustoccasiontothosethathavebeenledawaywiththem.(2.)Youngpeople'saffectionsareeasiestmoved;andastheymoveeasiest,sotheymovemostvigorously,whateverwaytheybeset.Hencetheyliemostfairfortastingthesweetofreligion:Hos.2:14,"Iwillallureher,andbringherintothewilderness,andspeakcomfortablyuntoher."Godsometimesdandlingyoungconvertsupontheknees,andgivingthemsensibletastesofthepleasureofreligion,isagreeabletotheparticularpromisemadefortheirencouragement,Prov.

8:17,"Ilovethemthatloveme;andthosethatseekmeearlyshallfindme."(3.)TheyareinthefairestwaytohavemostaccesstoserveGodintheirgeneration.Supposeamantobeconvertedwhenheisold,hissalvationwillbesecure;but,alas!histimeforservingGod'shonourintheworldisalmostgoneereheputshandtowork.

6.Lastly,Godcommandsyoutorepentpresently,andthereforeitisontheperilofyoursoul,thatyeventuretodelayamomentlonger:Heb.3:7,8,"To-dayifyewillhearhisvoice,hardennotyourhearts."Rememberthatword,Eccl.11:9,10,"Rejoice,Oyoungman,inthyyouth,andletthyheartcheertheeinthedaysofthyyouth,andwalkinthewaysofthyheart,andinthesightofthineeyes:butknowthou,thatforallthesethingsGodwillbringtheeintojudgment.Thereforeremovesorrowfromthyheart,andputawayevilfromthyflesh:forchildhoodandyoutharevanity."Asinfulyouthwillatlengthmakeasadsoul.YeknownothowsoonGodmaybeprovokedagainstyoutocutyouoff,ifyoudelay.MonumentsoftheLord'sangerhavebeensetupinchildhoodandyouth,aswellasinoldage.WitnessthechildrenatBethel,2Kings2:23,24.

LetnotSatandeceiveyou,asiftherewerenopleasureinreligion.No,Wisdom's"waysarewaysofpleasantness,andallherpathsarepeace,"Prov.3:17.Thereisasweetinreligionathousandtimespreferabletoallthepleasuresandvanitiesyouthgadesafter.

Secondly,Yemiddle-agedpeople,whydoyedelayrepentance?whydonotyethinkwithyourselvesseriously,whereyeareliketotakeupyoureternallodging,andprepareforeternitybyrepentance?Nodoubtyethinkyehavetimeenoughtoo;butnotimeatpresent,foryehaveanotherthingado,thecareofafamilyuponyourheads,Luke14:20.Whenisyourterm-dayofrepentance?Itislikeitiswhenyeshallhavemoretimethannow,orwhenyegrowold.But,Osirs,

1.Whatknowyethateveryoushallseeoldage?Yeawhatdostthouknow,but,asLuke12:20,"thisnightthysoulshallberequiredofthee"?Alas!shallmenthusfromtimetotimeventuretheireternalstateuponamereuncertainty?Thylifeisbutaday,ashortday,awinterday,andthouhastalongjourneytogo;thyforenoonispastalready,andwiltthousleepontilltheeveningthatwillsoonbeuponthee?Thedecliningsun

callstheetoawake.

2.Whatreasonisthere,thatthybusinessintheworldshouldshuffleoutthybusinessforeternity?Remembertheyhadasgoodexcusesasyou,whouponthesendingofthemwererejected,anditwasdeclaredtheirdayofgracewaspast,Luke14:18,19,20,24.Ohhastthounotasoultoprovidefor,thyeternalstatetolookafter?Canyewonder,if,asyeprefertheworldtoChristnow,hegiveyouyourportioninthislife;andifeverthetimecomethatthousetthyselftorepent,hedenytheehisgrace,andhidtheegotothegodsthouhastserved?

3.Considertheadvantagesthouhastnowforseriousness,whenthefoamofyouthhassettled,andtheinfirmitiesofoldagehavenotyetdrawnon.Oconsider,andshewyourselvesmen.Yehavespentyouryouthinvanity,andwillyespendthisagetoothatway?WhatisityedesignforGod,thedregsofthyyears,thatagethatisthesinkofinfirmities?andyewillpartwithsin,whenyecanfollowitnolonger.Osirs,whatconfidencecanyehave,thatGodwillacceptthatoffyourhand?Mal.1:8."Andifyeoffertheblindforsacrifice,isitnotevil?andifyeofferthelameandsick,isitnotevil?offeritnowuntothygovernor,willhebepleasedwiththee,oracceptthyperson?saiththeLordofhosts."

4.Supposeyeshouldlivetillyegrowold,Ohowfewaretherethatgetgracetorepentwhentheyareold?Ishallnotsay,therearenonesuch;buttrulythoughtheybe,theyareveryrare.Benotyeencouragedtodelay,becausesomewerecalledattheeleventhhour,Matth.20:6;forifyemarkthetext,thesewereothersthanthosethatwerestandingthereatthethird,sixth,andninthhour.Wesetnoboundstosovereignity;butasforthosethatliveunderthegospel,andspendtheirbestdaysinsinandestrangednessfromreligion,commonobservationtellsus,thatitisGod'sordinarywaytoplaguethemwithhardnessofheart,whentheygrowold:Job20:11."Hisbonesarefullofthesinofhisyouth,whichshallliedownwithhiminthedust."AboutthreehundredyearsafterChrist,therewasonethathadlivedapagantillhewasanoldman;whenhetoldSimplicianusthathewasaChristian,hewouldnotbelievehim:butwhentheChurchsawthathewasreallyso,theirwasgreatshoutingandgladness,saying,CaiusMariusVictoriusisbecomeaChristian!Theywonderedtoseeamanwhenhewasoldbornagain.

5.Lastly,Willyeseethedeceitofdelays.Whenyewereyoung,didyenotputitofftothistime?andnowwhenthatiscome,yeareasunreadyasbefore.Delaynomorethenlestyesleepthesleepofdeath.

Thirdly,Oldpeople,whydoyedelayrepentance:whyisnotyourheartbowingtoGod'scall,whenyearebeguntobowtomeetthegrave?Yethathavealwaysthoughtyehadtimeenoughallyourdays,yewillthinkthereistimeenoughyet.Butwhenisyourterm-dayforrepentance?adeath-bed,itislike.Andwhenyecomethere,yewillhopeitwillbebutasick-bed,andsodriveoffyourworktilltheutmostpoint.But,Osirs,

1.Maynotthetimepastofyourlifesufficetohavewroughtthewilloftheflesh?Mostyehave"yetalittlesleep,alittleslumber,alittlefoldingofthehandstosleep?"Well,whenyehavetakenitoverthebellyofGod'scalltoyouallyourdays,whatconfidencecanyehavetolookforgraceormercythen?Sin,Satan,andtheworldshallhaveallyourtime,andyewilllooktoGod,andseekhisfavour,whenyecandonomore.O,areyenotafraid,thatthatbeaccomplishedonyou?Prov.1:24.&c."BecauseIhavecalled,andyerefused,Ihavestretchedoutmyhand,andnomanregarded;butyehavesetatnoughtallmycounsel,andwouldhavenoneofmyreproof:Ialsowilllaughatyourcalamity,Iwillmockwhenyourfearcometh;whenyourfearcomethasdesolation,andyourdestructioncomethasawhirlwind;whendistressandanguishcomethuponyou,"&c.Itrow,ifyourconsciencewereawakenedjustnow,yeshouldhaveenoughadotofastenyourfeetonapromiseofmercy.

2.Howdoyouknow,thatyewillgetadeath-bedorsick-bed?Whatdoyeknow,butthatinamomentyemaydropintoeternity,asmanyhavedone?Mindhimwhousedtosay,threewordswoulddohisturnatdeath.Deathdoesnotalwayssendmessengerstowarnusofitsapproach.Nay,seewhatourLordsaysexpressly,Matth.24:48–51."Ifthatevilservantshallsayinhisheart,MyLorddelayethhiscoming.Andshallbegintosmitehisfellow-servants,andtoeatanddrinkwiththedrunken:theLordofthatservantshallcomeinadaywhenhelookethnotforhim,andinanhourthatheisnotwareof;andshallcuthimasunder,andappointhimhisportionwiththehypocrites:thereshallbeweepingandgnashingofteeth."

3.Lastly,Andisdyingsuchaneasybusiness,thatyemustbelayingupotherwork,yeayourmainwork,foradyingtime?Ishouldthink,thatdyingitself,withthepains,throes,andsicknessthatordinarilyattendit,wereenoughofthemselves.Surely,ifwewererightlyexercisedinhealth,wewouldendeavour,thatwhenwecometodie,weshouldhavenothingadobuttodie.ButIprayyouremember,youmaycometodieroving,withouttheexerciseofyourreason.Butthoughyeshouldhaveittothelast,Iprayyouconsider,istheworkofrepentancesuchaneasyworkastoleaveittillthetimeyoucandonothingelse?WillyeputoffturningtoGod,tillyearenotabletoturnyourselvesonabed,butasyearelifted?takingheavenbystorm,tillyourstrengthbegone?cryingtoGod,tillyearenotabletospeaktwosentencesatonce?makingreadyfordeath,tillitbecometoyourbed-side?

USEult.Iexhortyoualltodelayrepentanceandsalvation-worknolonger.

MOTIVE1.ConsideryedobutmockGod,andcheatyourselvesbyyourdelaying.Foritisinconsistentwithasincerepurposetorepentandturnfromsin,1Pet.4:1,2,3.Forhethatsincerelymindstoturnfromsin,willpresentlyturnfromit.

MOTIVE2.Repentanceisnotinyourpower;itisGod'sgift,whichhegiveswhenhewill,Acts5:31."GodhathexaltedChristwithhisrighthand,tobeaPrinceandaSaviour,togiverepentancetoIsrael."ThetimeofGod'sgraceislimited:atimewhereinhewillbefound,andwhennot:Is.55:6."SeekyetheLordwhilehemaybefound,callyeuponhimwhileheisnear."Deathcertainlyputsaperiodtoit.Butitseemstobeclear,thatmenmayoutlivetheirdayofgrace:Luke14:24."Isayuntoyou,thatnoneofthosemenwhichwerebidden,shalltasteofmysupper."TimewaswhenEsaumighthavehadtheblessing,butthenhedespisedit;butthetimecamewhenhecouldnothaveit:Heb.12:17."Yeknowhowthatafterwardwhenhewouldhaveinheritedtheblessing,hewasrejected:forhefoundnoplaceofrepentance,thoughhesoughtitcarefullywithtears."Strikeinthenwiththeoccasion;forifwindandtidefail,therecanbenosettingtosea.

MOTIVE3.Thoughweknewcertainly,thatourdayofgracewerefar

fromtheend;yetitisamostunworthythingsotodealwithGod.ShallmenabusemercyandgracebecausetheLordwaitethtobegracious?Willmenabusethedivinepatience,becauseitsufferslong?Whatafollyisittostandoffaslongaswecanfromhimtowhomwemustneedssubmitourselvesatlength?

MOTIVE4.Thetimeisshort,theworkgreat,andsoistheopposition.Salvation-workisagreatwork;itisnoeasythingtobeaChristian;yemustlayyouraccountwithalltheoppositionthedevil,theworld,andthefleshcanmakeyou;yehavebutanagethatisanhandbreadth,asnothingtodoitin.

MOTIVE5.Yourlifeismostuncertain.Wearetenants-at-will,wehavenotackforto-morrow,Jam.4:13,14.forecited.Weareagreedaboutthenecessityofrepentance;theonlyquestionis,Whenshallitbedone?Godsays,To-day;andtomorrowisnotyours,butGod's.Howthencanyedestinateforthisusethetimethatisnotyours?ReturntoGodonedaybeforethydeath,saytheJewishdoctors.Wiselysaid;returnthento-day,foritmaybeyeshalldieto-morrow.

MOTIVE6.Thelongeryedelay,theworkwillbetheharder.Forsinbecomesstronger,asthewaters,thefartherfromthehead,thegreatertheygrow.Andthearrowthatgoingfromthebowstraysfromthemark,howfarwidewillitbeereitcometotheutmostpoint?Itisobserved,thatChristgroanedattheraisingofLazarusfourdaysdead;butnotsoattheraisingoftheyoungmanofNain,orJarius'daughter.Jer.13:23."CantheEthiopianchangehisskin,ortheleopardhisspots?thenmayyealsodogood,thatareaccustomedtodoevil."Theirnumberincreaseth;thedevilwhocomesaloneatfirst,atlengthhisnameisLegion.Theheartgrowsharder,themindblinder,thewillmoreperverse,theaffectionsmorecarnal.

MOTIVE7.Amoment'sdelaymaybeaneternalloss,becausethouknowestnotanymomentthatmaynotbethylast.

MOTIVEult.Godcommandsyoutorepentpresently,Heb.4:7.Thereforeuponyourperilitis,ifyedelayanymore.

OBJECTION.Thethiefonthecrossrepentedatthelastgasp.ANSWER.HisrepentancewasoneofthemiraclesatChrist'sdeath;andheglorifiedGodmoreathisdeaththanyecouldifyehadbeenapenitentallyourdays.Butthoughtherewasonethatnonemightdespair,yettherewasbutonethatnonemightpresume.Theotherthiefevendiedashelived.

TheCaseoftheThiefontheCrossNoArgumentforDelayingRepentance

TwoSermonspreached,atEttrick,inJune,1717.

LUKE23:42,

AndhesaiduntoJesus,Lord,remembermewhenthoucomestintothykingdom.

THElovethatsinnersbeartotheirlusts,andtheconvictionmengenerallyhaveofthenecessityofrepentance,eachofthemputtinginforashare,donativelyproduceadelay.AndSatanandthecorruptheartjointosupportthedelayingtemper,bothbypretendedreasons,andabusedexamples:amongstwhichlastnoneismoresothanthisofthethiefwhorepentedonthecross.

Mygreatdesignbeingtoconvinceyou,thatthisinstancecanbenoencouragementtodelayrepentance,Ineednotherelayforafoundationtheproofofthisman'ssincerity,whichthetextandcontextputbeyondalldoubt;norinsistonexplainingthishisprayer,fulloffaithandrepentance,whichhadamostgraciousanswer.

Everybodyknowsthestory;andtheythatknowverylittleoftheBible,willbefoundacquaintedwiththisinstanceofthepenitentthiefonthecross;andtheyabuseittotheirownruin,drawingencouragementfromittoputoffrepentancetilltheycometoadeath-bed.

Weneednotmuchwonder,thatthisbecomesastumbling-stonetomany,

onwhichtheyareruined.Hearingthethiefwasconvertednearthelastgasp,andhavingledasinfullife,thethreadwassuddenlybroken,andhediedhappily;hisdaywasadarkdayallover,tillintheevening,thesunbrokeoutwithabrightthoughshortglimpse,andthenset;Thatthis,Isay,isabusedandturnedtoastumbling-stonebyimpenitentsinners,isnogreatwonder,ifyeconsiderthefollowingthings.

1.Asaviciousstomachcorruptsthebestofmeat;soimpenitentsinnersabusethebestthingstotheirownruin:sothatwhatraisesupotherstaughtofGod,isanoccasionoffallingtothem.ThealtarofGod,andthewholelawwassototheunbelievingJews,Rom.11:9.Isnottheverygospel,andthepreachersthereof,asavourofdeathtosome?2Cor.2:16.Nay,Christhimselfisastumbling-blocktothem.1Pet.2:8.

2ThereisaparticulardispositionintheheartsofimpenitentsinnerstoabuseandwresttheScriptures.HencePeter,speakingofPaul'sepistles,says,"Inthemaresomethingshardtobeunderstood,whichtheythatareunlearnedandunstablewrest,astheydoalsotheotherscriptures,untotheirowndestruction,"2Pet.3:16.TheScriptureisalight,andaruleofdivineauthority;anditmaywellbeexpected,thatifsinnerscanpersuadethemselvesofasheltertherefortheirsins,itwillbethemosteffectualone.Thisisthemostfeasiblemeansforstillingtheclamoursofanillconscience,andcheatingmenintotheirownruin.

3.AbusedScriptureisoneofthechiefpiecesofSatan'sarmour,wherewithhemaintainsandpromoteshiskingdomamongthosethathavetheScriptures.ThusSatansaidtoChrist,Matt4:6."IfthoubetheSonofGod,castthyselfdown:foritiswritten,Heshallgivehisangelschargeconcerningthee,andintheirhandstheyshallbeartheeup,lestatanytimethoudashthyfootagainstastone."HenceuncleanpersonsstilltheirconscienceswiththeexampleofDavid,swearerswiththatofJosephbythelifeofPharaoh,orPeter's,&c.Menthataremeremoralistsscreenthemselveswiththat,Mic.6:8,"Hehathshewedthee,Oman,whatisgood;andwhatdoththeLordrequireofthee,buttodojustly,andtolovemercy,andtowalkhumblywiththyGod?"Andotherssatisfythemselveswithgoodmeaningsanddesires,becauseofthat,Matt.5:6,"Blessedaretheywhichdohungerandthirstafterrighteousness:fortheyshallbefilled."Othersthink,theymayrepentatanytime,fromthatScripture,

Ezek.18:27,"Whenthewickedmanturnethawayfromhiswickednessthathehathcommitted,anddoththatwhichislawfulandright,heshallsavehissoulalive."AndthusitbecomeshardertoconvincementhathavesomenotionalknowledgeoftheBible,thanthosethatneverknewit.

4.Reigninglovetosinmakespeopleverydexteroustofindoutshiftstopreservetheirlusts;asinSaul'sspeechtoSamuel,1Sam.15:15,"TheyhavebroughtthemfromtheAmalekites:forthepeoplesparedthebestofthesheepandoftheoxen,tosacrificeuntotheLordthyGod,andtherestwehaveutterlydestroyed."Whatpeoplewouldfainhavetobetrue,itiseasytopersuadethemof:andwhattheyareloathetopartwith,itisnothardtoinventshiftstoholditstill.WeremenwillingtobetheLord's,theywouldbesopresently;andtheywouldbeloathetodelayonemoment,lesttheyshouldneverseeanother.

Tocometothisparticularinstanceinthetext,Imusttellyou,Thatthoughhereisgroundofhopeforpoortremblingsinners,thattheymaybebroughttorepentance,andbeacceptedofGod;yetthereisnogroundhereforcraftydelayingsinnerstoputoffrepentance,inhopestogothroughwithitafterwards,especiallyinadyinghour.

I.Thereisgroundofhopefortremblingsinners.Andwemaylearnfromthisinstancethesefollowinglessons.

1.Theymaygolongon,andfaroninthewaytohell,whomyetGodmaybringhometohimself.Hereisaman,athief,whosocoursebroughthimtoanillend,toaviolentdeath,andyetgracereacheshim.Seethefollowingremarkablepassage,1Cor.6:9,10,11,"KnowyenotthattheunrighteousshallnotinheritthekingdomofGod?Benotdeceived:neitherfornicators,noridolaters,noradulterers,noreffeminate,norabusersofthemselveswithmankind,northieves,norcovetous,nordrunkards,norrevilers,norextortioners,shallinheritthekingdomofGod.Andsuchweresomeofyou:butyearewashed,butyearesanctified,butyearejustifiedinthenameoftheLordJesus,andbytheSpiritofourGod."Fromthisitappears,thatsomeoftheCorinthianconvertshadbeenformerlythevilestofwretches,andguiltyofthemostenormouslewdnessandimpiety;andyetbecamefamousmonumentsofthetriumphsofsovereignefficaciousgrace.WhatalengthdidManassehand

Paulgo;andyetwhatillustriouspenitentsdidtheyafterwardsbecome?Thelatterjustlyacquiredthecharacterofthegreatestofsaints,andthemosteminentofalltheapostles.

2.Gracesometimescatchesthemthatinappearance,andtotheeyesoftheworld,arefarthestfromit.Itpassethbythemostlikely,andpitchesonthemostunlikelyobjects.Whilechiefpriests,scribes,andeldersmockChrist,thethiefonthecrossisconverted.TheLordlovestosetupthetrophiesofhisvictoryinthemidstofthedevil'skingdom.Henceisthatpromise,Is.55:5,"Behold,thoushaltcallanationthatthouknowestnot,andnationsthatknewnotthee,shallrununtothee,becauseoftheLordthyGod;andfortheholyOneofIsrael;forhehathglorifiedthee."

3.Gracemakesavastdifferencebetwixtthosebetwixtwhomitfindsnone.Herearetwothieves,bothonthecross:gracetouchestheheartoftheone,butpassethbytheother;andmakestheoneaconvert,whiletheotherdieshardened.SotrueisPaul'sobservation,Rom.9:16,"Sothenitisnotofhimthatwilleth,norofhimthatrunneth,butofGodthatshewethmercy."

4.Lastly,Whilethereislifethereishope.Hereisoneconvertedwhennearthelastgasp;whilehislastsandwasrunning,graceovertakeshim,openstheeyesthatbeforewereclosed,winstheheartthathadbeenallalonghardened.ButIstaynotonthesethings.Onlytheusethatistobemadeofthis,is,

1.LetthosethatseekGodearlybeencouragedfromthis,thattheyshallfindhim:Prov.8:17,"Ilovethemthatloveme,andthosethatseekmeearlyshallfindme."Washesoreadytoreceiveapenitentsoulcominginatthelasthour,thensurelyhewillbeveryreadytoreceivetheethatcomesinbeforethattime.Herejectedhimnotbecausehewaslonga-coming;butreceivedhimbecausehecame.Comethenforwardwithassuredhopeofthyacceptanceuponthyearlyreturn.

2.Letnotthosewhosedayisalmostgone,beforetheyhavebeguntheirwork,despair.Whoknowsbutthatmaybedoneintheevening,thatwasneglectedthewholedaybefore?Agaleforheavenmayblow,thatmayputlifeinanoldsinner,andmakehisfleshfresherthanthatofachild.The

doorofthevineyardstandsopenforlabourerstocomeinevenattheeleventhhour.Sovereigntyisnotpentuptotimesandways,buttakesalatitudeinboth.

3.Lastly,Letussowbesideallwaters,inthemorningandintheevening.Itdependsontheworkingoffreegrace,whichshallprosper.Wearereadytobehopelessofsuccess,wherepersonshavelongstoodoutagainsttheLord.ButGod'sheavyhandonaman,andaviewofeternity,mayaffordaseasonwhereinthewildassmaybecaught.

II.Butthereisnogroundhereforthecraftydelayingsinnertoputoffrepentance,especiallytilladyinghour.Tosetthismatterinatruelight,considerthesefollowingthings.

1.Itisamostrareexample.ThereisnotaninstancelikeitinallthebookofGod,unlessitbethatofAchan,Josh.7:20,21.YettheLordhasleftthatcaseofAchan'smuchunderacloud;sothatitisnotpositivelydeterminedasthisis,thoughwemaycharitablyhopethebestinhiscasetoo.Now,hereIwouldhaveyoutoconsider,

1st,WhatlesscouldtherehavebeentohaveclearedapossibilityofacceptancewithGod,forasinneratthelast,afterhehasspentallhisdaysinsin?Ifwehadnothadthisinstance,whatcouldhavebeensaidtoshewsuchwretchedmisspendersoftime,thateveranythatwassolongasettingoffintheirjourneytoheavendidgetin?Andbecausethissays,thatnoneshoulddespair;mustitthereforeimport,thattheymaysafelydelay?ThesunoncestoodstillinthedaysofJoshua;whichsaysitispossiblesuchathingmaybe:butwillanymandelayhisworkinhopeofsuchanextraordinarycastagain?Andwhywillye?

2dly,Asoneswallowmakesnotspring,soneithercanthisoneeventmakeageneralrulethatyouorImaytrustto.Theordinaryruleis,thatasmenlive,sotheydie;aholylife,ahappyend;agraceless,carelesslife,anunhappyandmiserableend.BecauseProvidencemaygoofftheordinaryroad,anddothatinafewminuteswithsome,thatordinarilycostsmanyyearstoothers;canyouventureeternityonthat,thathewilldosowithyou?Mosesfastedfortydaysandnights,Exod.34:28:yetwhowillventureonthatinhopesofhavinghislifepreservedwithoutfood?

3dly,Aretherenoteminentinstancestothecontrary,whereinmenlivingintheirsinhavebeenstruckdowninamoment,gettingnotimetorepentofthem,butfierywrathhasputanendtotheirdays?ConsiderthecaseofNadabandAbihu,Lev.10:1,2,ofwhomitisthoughttheyhaderredthroughdrink,ver.9;Korah,Dathan,andAbiram,Numb.16:31,&c.;AnaniasandSapphira,Acts5,whodiedinstantlywithalieintheirmouth.ButwhydoIinstanceinparticularpersons?Didnotmillionsdietogetherintheirsins,bythedelugethatsweptawaytheoldworld,thefireandbrimstonethatburnedupSodom,Gomorrha,Admah,andZeboim?Whatmultitudesweretherethere,who,beingwarned,putofftothedaytheyneversaw?Andshallthisoneinstanceencourageyoutodelay,overthebellyofthedreadfulexampleofmillionsontheotherhand?

4thly,Themostthatthissorareanexamplecanamountto,isapossibility.Itisnottosomuchasaprobabilityorlikelihood.Thatisaprobableevent,whichthoughitdoesnotalwaysfallout,yetforthemostpartitdoesso;asthatthehusbandmanshallgetmorethanhisseedagain.Butfromwhatissaiditappears,thatforthemostpartitfallsoutotherwise,namely,thatpeopleevendieastheylive.Sothatitisprobable,thatifthoudonotrepentbefore,Godwilldenytheegracetorepentatthelast.HowthencanamanthathasanybeliefofaGod,aheaven,andahell,venturehissalvationonamerepossibility,whiletheprobabilityliestheotherway?

2.Thoughthereweretwothievesonthecrossatthattime,yetitwasbutoneofthemthatgotgracetorepent.Theoneindeedwasatruepenitent;buttheotherdiedashelived,hardenedinhissin;nay,perhapsworse;forhediedblasphemingtheSonofGod,beforewhosetribunalhewastoappear,ver.39.Now,uponthisIwouldmaketheserationalreflections.

1st,Isitnotpossiblethatthoumaystdieblaspheming,ifthoudonotrepentnowintime?Thoucanstnotdenythepossibilityofit,whenthereissuchaplaininstanceofitinthecaseofoneofthesethieves.Thouthinkestitmaybethoumaydieapenitentwiththegoodthief;andIsay,itmaybethoumaystdieblasphemingwiththeother.Theoneisevenascertain,astous,astheother.Thoulivestimpenitentallthydays;whenthoucomesttoadeath-bed,Godmaywithholdhisgracefromtheewhich

thouhastallalongrefused;hemaylettheeseethycasehopelessforever,andthoumaystbefilledwithdespair;andinthatcaseitismorethanpossiblethatbothtongueandheartmayriseagainstGod.

2dly,Itisatleastanequalventure,thatthoumaystdieimpenitent,asthatthoumaystdieapenitent.Thouhopesttorepentatthelast;why?becausethethiefonthecrossrepented.AndImustsay,thatdelayingrepentancetillthen,thourunnesttheriskofdyingimpenitent;fortheotherthiefdiedso.Andwhohastoldthee,whetherthylotshallbewiththeoneorwiththeother?Now,torepentpresently,makesthysalvationcertain;todelayit,doesatbestleaveittoaventure.Andconsiderwithyourselfseriously,ifsalvationanddamnationbesuchtriflingthings,astobelefttoanuncertainty,youdonotknowhowitmayfall.

3dly,Itisinconsistentwithcommonsense,toleavethatthingtoaventure,whichmaybemadesure,whereahitoramissisoftheutmostconcern.Supposearebelmightcertainlyhavehislifebyawillingsubmissiontohisprince,shouldhechoosetostaytillhewereapprehendedbytheofficers,hewouldactmostunreasonably,sonably,andputhislifeinhazardwherethereisnoneed;asinthecaseofShimei,1Kings2:42.Athousandtimesmoreunreasonableartthouinsuchdelaysofrepentance,fornowthoumaystmakeheavensure:butifthoudelay,thysoulislefttoadreadfulventure;andifthoumisswhenitcomestothepoint,thouartruinedforever.

4thly,Naybuttheventureisveryunequal;foritisfarmorelikelythatdelayingthoumaystdieimpenitent,thanthatthoumaystdiepenitent.Fewtookpartwiththegoodthiefamongstallthecrowdofspectators;themultitudewenttheotherthief'sway,mocking,ver.35.Andwhatcaststhebalancehereincaseoflikelihood,is,

(1.)Commonobservation,thattellsus,thatmostpeopleevendieastheylive.Repentanceisaflowerrarelyseenspringingupfromadeath-bed.Ameltingofheartforsin,becauseofthedishonourdonetoGodbyit,isseldomseeninsuchashavelivedagraceless,careless,presumptuouslife;butthatdispositionevenhangsaboutthemtotheend.

(2.)Itiscertainthatfewaresaved,incomparisonofthemthatareleft:

Matt.7:14,"Straitisthegate,andnarrowistheway,whichleadethuntolife,andfewtherebethatfindit."Astowhatsomesayoftheinfantsofallmankind;allthataresavedmustgobythestraitgate,andstillthesearefew.Itisevident,thatmostmenliveimpenitent;yetallmustdie;andthereforeitfollows,thatfewgetgracetorepentattheirlast,butmostofthosethatliveimpenitentevendiesotoo.

(3.)Thesadthreateningsdenouncedagainstsinnersgoingonintheirsin,withrespecttotheirlatterend:Prov.1:24–27,"BecauseIhavecalled,andyerefused,Ihavestretchedoutmyhand,andnomanregarded;butyehavesetatnoughtallmycounsel,andwouldnoneofmyreproof:Ialsowilllaughatyourcalamity,Iwillmockwhenyourfearcometh;whenyourfearcomethasdesolation,andyourdestructioncomethasawhirlwind;whendistressandanguishcomethuponyou."Ezek.24:13,"Inthyfilthinessislewdness:becauseIhavepurgedthee,andthouwastnotpurged,thoushaltnotbepurgedfromthyfilthinessanymore,tillIhavecausedmyfurytorestuponthee."Now,showmeonepromiseinalltheBible,promisingthegraceofrepentancetothosethatdelay,fortobalancethis.Itistrue,thegospel-offerisgeneral,andexcludesnonewhileinthisworld:butOwhatahazardisthere,thatthesethreateningsbeaccomplishedtothedenyingthegracetolayholdonthemthen.

(4.)Corruptnaturesticksfastinthee;anditwillhardentheeinthefaceofdeathaswellasitdoesnow,unlessthougetgracefromabove.Now,thatcorruptionhaspossessionlongcontinuedalready,thouartsureofit;butthouhastnocertaintyforthegraceofGodtobreakitinthee,andworkrepentanceinthysolongimpenitentheart.AndthereforeImustconcludetheventuretobeveryunequal.

(5.)Repentanceisnottobewroughtbythesinner'sbeingbroughttoanextremity,asyoumaypossiblyimagine.Herewasamanthatwashangingonacross,bleedingtodeathingreattorment,havingapresentprospectofeternitybeforehim,whocouldhavenomorepleasureintheworld.Butdidthathumblehim?No,no.Hisheartremainsobduredtothelastgasp.Heisgoingintoeternity;yetheisaddingsintosin,andgoingoutoftheworldashelivedinit,ifnotworse.WefindfromMatt.27:44,thatafterthechiefpriests,scribes,andeldershadmockedandrailedonChrist,itisadded,that"thethievesalsowhichwerecrucified

withhim"joinedintherailing.Whencesomethink,thateventheothertoojoinedinthisrailingonChrist,tillgracebrokeinuponhimandovercamehisnature.

(6.)Themostpowerfulandlikelymeansofgracewillnotprevail,unlessaccompaniedwithaspecialoperationoftheSpirit.ThisblasphemingthiefwasnearChristhimself,andmighthearhiswordsandgroans.Hehadtheexampleofhiscompanionmovinghimtorepent.Gracewasatworkworkingwondersuponhisneighbour.Hehadadyingpreachertocallhimtorepent.Thesun'slightwaseclipsed,theearthquaked,therocksrent,thegravesopened:yetforallthesehediedimpenitent,andhard-hearted.Thinkonthis,yethatdeemitsoeasytorepent,ifyewerecometoyourlast.

(7.)Theythatdelayrepentancetilladyinghour,readilyfindtheyhaveanotherthingtodothen,thantorepent;asisevidentfromthecaseoftheotherthiefonthecross,ver.39."Andoneofthemalefactorswhichwerehanged,railedonhim,saying,ifthoubeChristsavethyselfandus."Deathisthedestructionofnature,andthereforenaturewrestlesagainstit,thoughtherebenohope.Thismanwasmoreconcernedtogethisbodysavedthantogethissoulsaved.And,alas!isnotthisthecaseofthemostpartatthattime?Theyhavesomuchadowiththedisease,thattheycanhardlygetadueconcernfortheirsouls,oracomposedthought.

3.Thereisnoevidencethatthisthiefhadbeforesuchmeansofgraceasyouhave.Whocansay,thateverheheardthegospelpreachedbyChristoranyofhisdisciples?Itismostlikelyhewasarake;thatifheheardanythingofGod,itwasfromtheScribesandPhariseesattimes;andmaybe,whenhemighthaveheardeitherthem,orChristandhitdisciples,hewasabouthisthievishtrade.Now,

1st,Itisunreasonabletothink,thatitshouldfareatthelastwiththosewhohavehadmeansofgracealltheirdays,anddespisedthem,asitmaydowiththosewhoneverhavesuchmeanstilltheycometodie.Onewouldthinkitnowonderatall,toseeamanconvertedathislast,whogetsthefirstnoticeofChristandthewayofsalvationwhenonhisdeath-bed.Butwhatisthattothee,whohastallalongbeeninvitedtorepent,andcometoChrist,butwouldstnot?Theformerisnowonderin

comparisonofthelatter.

2dly,Thisconversionofthethiefdoubtlesswasaperfectsurprisetohim,athinghewasnotlookingfor.Butthouartsettingtrystwithrepentanceatthylasthours.Canyoubelieve,thateverthisthiefdelayedrepentanceinhopesofwhathemetwith,namely,todieonacrosswithChrist,andthentofeelthepowerofhisgrace?Nobodycanbelieveit.Whatishisexamplethentothee?Isitrationalfortheetoexpectthatfavourwhichonehassometimesbeensurprisedwith,andgotwhenhewasnotlookingforit?

4.Thisthiefwasconverted,whenbythehandofpublicjusticehewastodie.Whenhewasmadeapublicexampletotheworld,andasamalefactorbroughttoanuntimelyendforhiscrime,hegotrepentanceatthegallows,notonadeath-bed.Hewascutoffperhapsinthemidstofhisdays;atleasthediednotbythecourseofnature,norbyanysickness,butwasexecutedforhisevildeeds.Anditisobservable,thattheoneothercasewhichlookslikesttothisintheBible,wasofthesamesort,namelyAchan's.Now,

1st,Itisevident,thatwickedmenwhoarerunningoninsuchcoursesaswillbringthemtoanuntimelydeath,bythelawsoftheland,suchasthieves,robbers,murderers,&c.haveafairergroundfromthistodelayrepentancetilltheycometothescaffold,thanyouhave,whoarelookingforadeath-bed,anddelayrepentancetillyoucomethere.Fortheircaseisnearerakintothisthanyours.Butarenottheymostfoolishiftheysodo,eveninyoureyes?Nodoubttheyare.Andsoareyeintheeyesofothers,whoseeyesGodhasopened.

2dly,Ifwecomparethecaseofthisthiefputtodeathforhiscrimes,andofothermalefactorssodying,withthecaseofmenthathavelivedimpenitentlydyingintheirbeds;thoughgraceisalikefreetoboth,yet,humanlyspeaking,thereismorehopeoftherepentanceoftheformerthanofthelatter.AndthisIsayonthesethreegrounds.

(1.)Itismoreeasytoconvinceamalefactoruponthescaffold,ofhiscrime,andtheevilofit,andofthoseothersinsthathavebeentheinletstoit,thantoconvinceanotherofhissinuponadeathbed,ascommon

observationsheweth.HenceourLordsays,"thatthepublicansandharlotsgointothekingdomofGodbeforetheself-righteousPharisees,"Matth.21:31.Manyatimeissabbath-breaking,disobediencetoparents,drunkenness,neglectofthemeansofgrace,confessedandregrettedonascaffold,whilethereisnotonewordofthemfromadeath-bed,incaseswherethereisperhapsasgoodgroundforit.Whenthecorruptionofnaturebreaksoutinsomeatrociouscrimethatbringsapersontoanuntimelyend,thereismoreaccesstoconvincethemofit,thanotherswhohavethesameplagueinthem,butithasnotsoappeared.

(2.)Theviewthatthethiefhadofeternityuponthecross,andthatothermalefactorshaveinsuchacase,ismorecertainthanwhatimpenitentsinnersgenerallyhaveonadeath-bed.Theoneseetheymustdiewithoutperadventure,theotherhavesomehopesoflifegenerallywhiletheyhavebreath.Andsotheterrorofdeathmustneedsbemoreoperativeintheonethantheother;forasmuchasthereissuchadifferenceinthecertaintyoftheviewofit.

(3)Ifweexceptthetimewhereinbothareactuallygrapplingwithdeath,theonewithaviolentdeath,theotherwithanaturalone;theformerhavelesshinderancesfromthebodytopreparefordeaththanthelatter;forasmuchastheoneistossedwithbodilysicknessandindisposition,theothercommonlyisnot.

5.TheconversionofthethiefonthecrosswasanextraordinarymanifestationofourLord'spower,madeforspecialreasons.AndthereforethoughitshowswhattheLordcando;itdoesnotshowwhatordinarilyhewilldo.Considerhere,toevincethis,that,

1st,Itwasdoneinsuchajunctureoftime,asthelikeneverwas,andthelikeneverwillbeagain;namely,whentheLordofglory,theSaviouroftheworld,wasactuallyhanginguponthecross,payingtheransomforthelostelectworld;Rom.6:9,"Christbeingraisedfromthedead,diethnomore;deathhathnomoredominionoverhim."

2dly,Itwasawonderwroughtinatimeallottedinaparticularmannerbeyondalltimes,forGod'sworkingwonders.ThetimeoftheLord'sgivingthelawonMountSinai,wasatimeofwonders;butnot

comparabletothis.TheleadingwondertherewasGod'smakinghisvoicetobeheard,andspeakingforthaholylaw;anditwasattendedwithotherwonders,namely,thunders,lightnings,athickclouduponthemount,smoke,andfire,andthesoundofaterribletrumpetwaxinglouderandlouder,Exod.19:16,&c.ButtheleadingwonderonMountCalvarywasyetgreater,namely,theSonofGod,andSaviouroftheworld,hanging,groaning,dyingonacross:andthereforetheattendingwonderswereproportionablygreater.For,

(1.)Thesunwasunderadreadfuleclipse,forthespaceofnotafewminutes,butthreehours,Matth.27:45.Theeyeofthevisibleworldwasstruckblindatthesight.

(2.)Thevailofthetemplewas,withouthands,rentfromthetoptothebottom,Matth.27:51;toshewthatbythisdeathanendwasputtotheceremoniallaw,andthewayuntotheholiestofallmadeopen.

(3.)TheearthquakedatthedreadfulfactofcrucifyingtheLordofglory,Matth.27:51.

(4.)Thehardrocksrent,upbraidingthespectatorsandguiltymultitudewiththehardnessoftheirhearts,Matth.27:51.

(5.)Thegraveswereopened,andmanyofthedeadsaintsarose,toshewthatChristbyhisdeathhadovercomethepowerofdeathoverhispeople,Matth.27:52.

(6.)Thespectatorsofthosestrangethingssmotetheirbreasts,beingstrucktotheheart,Luke23:48.

(7.)Lastly,Thecenturionandhissoldierswereconvinced,thathewhomtheyhadcrucifiedwastheSonofGod,Matth.27:54.

Now,uponalltheseIwouldmakethesereflections.

[1.]Isitreasonable,becausethethiefwasconvertedatthelasthour,inatimethatthelikeneverwas,norwillbe,fortheetoexpectthatitshallfaresowiththee?Thoumaystaswellthrowthyselfintoaburningfieryfurnace,andhopetocomeforthsafe,becauseDanielandhisfellowswere

oncesodelivered.WereChristtocomeagain,andtobecrucifiedasecondtimebetweentwomalefactors,andthouwertoneofthemtobecrucifiedwithhim,itmightbethatthoumightstbeconvertedatthylasthour.Andyetthoucouldstnotbesure;foritmightbethylottobethehardenedone,asitwastheotherthief's.Butsinceitisnotso,howdarestthoutrusttosuchalaterepentance?

[2.]Isitanywisestrange,thatamongstallthesewondersofjustice,power,andfaithfulness,therewasonewonderofmercyuponthethiefonthecross?thatthesamepowerthatwasrendingtherocks,didmercifullyopentheheartofoneofthosethievestoreceiveChristandhisgrace?Buthowcanstthouthink,thatthetimeofthydeparturewillbeatimeofsuchwonders?Andifnot,howcanstthoudeceivethyselfintoadelayofrepentance,inexpectationofreceivingsuchasignaldisplayofdivinegraceandmercy?

[3.]Wasitnotverybecomingthedivinewisdom,thatwhenthedivinegloryoftheSonofGodwasveileduponthecross,arayofitshouldbreakforthintheconversionofoneoftwothatwerehangingtherewithhim?thatwhenhisjudges,andtherulersandpeoplehadgothimonthecrossasamalefactor,heshouldhavehisgloryownedbyoneofthosecrucifiedwithhim:butwhatisthattotheeinadaywhereinitislongsinceChristwassetdownathisFather'srighthand,andhisglorypublishedthroughtheworldbythegospel?

[4.]Isitanythingstrange,thatwhenourLordwastriumphingoverprincipalitiesandpowers,hesetuponetrophy,onesignofhisvictory,inthefieldofbattle?Col.2:15.Wasitnotverynatural,thathewhowhenheshouldbeliftedup,wastodrawallmenafterhim,shouldactuallyatthetimedrawoneafterhim?Butwhatencouragementcanthatbetotheetodelaytothelast,whenthatnickoftimeisoverlongago?AndnowtherearethousandsofvisiblemonumentsofChrist'sconquestbyhisdeathsetup,sothatthouwiltneverbemissed,thoughthoudieasthoulivest,impenitent.

6.Lastly,Thepenitentthiefonthecrosswasnotonlysincere,butheglorifiedChristmoreinhislaterepentance,thanthouartcapabletodobythine,naymorethanifthouhadstlivedapenitentallthydays.For

consider,

1st,WhenourLordwasinhisloweststepofhumiliation,heprofessedhisfaithofhisdivinenature,andhisbeingKingoftheotherworld:"Lord,"sayshe,"remembermewhenthoucomestintothykingdom."Whatwonderfulfaithwasthis,thatwhileChristwassolowashangingonacross,heownshimKingofheaven;thatdying,hewasgoingtoreceiveakingdom;thathehasallpowerthere;thatheisfullofmercy,compassion,andfaithfulness;sothattheveryremembranceofhimwouldbesufficienttosecurehiseternalwelfare!thoumaystbelieveandprofessallthis,butneveratsuchatime.HeisnowtheexaltedRedeemer,whohasascendedfaraboveallheavens,andsitsontherighthandofGod.Butwhatisthattotheglorifyingofhiminhislowesthumiliation?

2dly,Whenothershadcrucifiedhimasamalefactor,andweremockinghim,andrailingonhim,asonethatdeservednotcommoncompassion,hewasprayingtohim,asLordoftheotherworld.Ifthoushouldstnowdosotoo;yetrememberhowsmallathingisthatincomparisonofwhatthegoodthiefdidinthesecircumstances.

Lastly,Allthishedid,andmore,publiclybeforeamultitudeofspectators,whichthouartnotlikelytohavewhenthoucomesttoadeath-bed.HejustifiesGodbeforethemall;hecondemnshimself;hedoeswhathecantoconvinceandconverthispoorgracelesscompanion,whopossiblysinnedwithhimashedidsuffer;hecondemnsthosethatcrucifiedChrist,andgiveshispublictestimonyagainstthem,asmenthatfearednotGod.

Toconcludethismatter:Repentyetimeously,andtrustnottoalaterepentance.Letnotthisexampleofthethiefonthecross,oranythingelse,makeyoutodelay.ManyacallyehavehadtoreturntotheLord;but,alas!tothemostparttheyhavebeenineffectual.Godisgivingusaprovidentialcalltorepentance,atthistime:heissayingtous,ashedidtothechurchofEphesus,Rev.2:5,"Rememberthereforefromwhencethouartfallen,andrepent,anddothefirstworks;orelseIwillcomeuntotheequickly,andwillremovethycandlestickoutofitsplace,exceptthourepent."Godknowswhatourpresenttrialmayendin.ButinthatdarkdispensationwemayclearlyseethatGodisajealousGod,andmakes

people'ssinstofindthemout.Repentancewouldbethemostfeasiblemeanstoextricateusoutofourdifficulties.IftherewereaspiritofprayerandmourningforthecausesoftheLord'scontroversywithus,itwouldbeatokenforgood.But,alas!theworkofrepentanceforthemostpartisputofffromtimetotime,tillitbeputofftoadeath-bed;andwhocansecurethetrysttobekeptthere?

TherearethreethingsIwouldsayofdeath-bedrepentance.

1.Ifitbegot,itisthemostunusefulrepentanceforGod,andthemostuncomfortableforone'sself.Unuseful;forthenmenbegintheirworkforGod,whentheirtimeisending;andsothoughtheymaybesaved,yetGodgetslittlehonourfromthem.Anduncomfortabletopersonsthemselves;forbeingsaved,theyaresavedsoasbyfire;theymustgotoheavenbythebrinkofhell;whiletheyseetheirlastsandrunning,andgettheirconsciencesawakened,eternitymustbetothemadreadfulspectacle.

2.Death-bed-repentanceisseldomsincere.ThekingofterrorsmaymakeaPharaohsay,Ihavesinned.Butwhatsincerityisinthemostpartofthosethingsthatbeginondeath-beds,maybelearnedfromthecaseofmany,whobeingpasthopesofrecoveryfromtheirsickness,eitherastothemselvesorothers,doyetrecover,andturnjusttheoldmenandwomentheywerebefore.Whenthebestappearancesofdeath-bedrepentanceare,itishardtomakesureconclusions;butasAugustinesaidinsuchacase,Nondicodamnabitur,nondicosalvabitur;sedtu,dumsanuses,pœnitentiamage.*

3.Lastly,Manytrusttodeathbedrepentancethatneverseeit.Somearesurprisedintoeternity;somearetossedsowithsicknessthattheycannothaveacomposedthought;somequicklylosetheuseoftheirsensesandreason;andmostpartdieastheylive:Thereforerepentyeintime,anddelaynomore,lestyebringtheruinonyoursoulsthatwillneverberecovered.

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TheNecessityofRepentancebyThomasBoston,Copyright©2019

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