CHAPTER XV
Of Repentance Unto Life
Repentance unto life is an evangelical grace, the doctrine whereof is to be preached by every minister of the Gospel, as well as that of faith in Christ.
Zech. xii. 10; Acts xi. 18; Luke xxiv. 47; Mark i. 5; Acts xx. 21.
II. By it, a sinner, out of the sight and sense not only of the danger, but also of the filthiness and odiousness of his sins, as contrary to the holy nature and righteous law of God; and upon the apprehension of His mercy in Christ to such as are penitent, so grieves for, and hates his sins, as to turn from them all unto God, purposing and endeavoring to walk with Him in all the ways of His commandments.
Ezek. xviii. 30, 31; Ezek. xxxvi. 31; Isa. xxx. 22; Ps. li. 4; Jer. xxxi. 18, 19; Joel ii. 12, 13; Amos v. 15; Ps. cxix. 128; 2 Cor. vii. 11; Ps. cxix. 6, 59, 106; Luke i. 6; 2 Kings xxiii. 25.
III. Although repentance be not to be rested in, as any satisfaction for sin or any cause of the pardon thereof, which is the act of God's free grace in Christ; yet is it of such necessity to all sinners, that none may expect pardon without it.
Ezek. xxxvi. 31, 32; Ezek. xvi. 61. 62, 63; Hos. xiv. 2, 4; Rom. iii. 24; Eph. l. 7; Luke xiii. 3, 5; Acts xvii. 30, 31.
IV. As there is no sin so small, but it deserves damnation, so there is no sin so great, that it can bring damnation upon those who truly repent.
Rom. vi. 23; Rom. v. 12; Matt. xii. 36; Isa lv. 7; Rom. viii. 1; Isa. i. 16, 18.
V. Men ought not to content themselves with a general repentance, but it is every man's duty to endeavour to repent of his particular sins, particularly.
Ps. xix. 13; Luke xix. 8; 1 Tim. i. 13, 15.
VI. As every man is bound to make private confession of his sins to God, praying for the pardon thereof; upon which, and the forsaking of them, he shall find mercy; so, he that scandalizeth his brother, or the Church of Christ, ought to be willing, by a private or public confession, and sorrow for his sin to declare his repentance to those that are offended, who are thereupon to be reconciled to him, and in love to receive him.
Ps. li. 4, 5, 7, 9, 14; Ps. xxxii. 5, 6; Prov. xxviii. 13; 1 John l. 9; James v. 16; Luke xvii. 3, 4; Joshua vii. 19; Ps. li throughout; 2 Cor. ii. 8.
CHAPTER XVI
Of Good Works
Good works are only such as God hath commanded in His holy Word, and not such as, without the warrant thereof, are devised by men, out of blind zeal, or upon any pretence of good intention.
Micah vi. 8; Rom. xii. 2; Heb. xiii. 21; Matt. xv. 9; Isa. xxix. 13; 1 Pet. i. 18; Rom. x. 2; John xvi. 2; 1 Sam. xv. 21, 22, 23.
II. These good works, done in obedience to God's commandments, are the fruits and evidences of a true and lively faith: and by them believers manifest their thankfulness, strengthen their assurance, edify their brethren, adorn the profession of the Gospel, stop the mouths of the adversaries, and glorify God, whose workmanship they are, created in Christ Jesus thereunto; that, having their fruit unto holiness, they may have the end, eternal life.
James ii. 18, 22; Ps. cxvi. 12, 13; 1 Pet. ii. 9, 1 John ii. 3, 5; 2 Pet. i. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, l0; 2 Cor. ix. 2; Matt. v. 16; ***. ii. 5, 9, 10, 11, 12; 1 Tim. vi. l; 1 Pet. ii. 15; 1 Pet. ii. 12; Phil. i. 11; John xv. 8; Eph. ii. 10; Rom. vi. 22.
III. Their ability to do good works is not at all of themselves, but wholly from the Spirit of Christ. And that they may be enabled thereunto, besides the graces they have already received, there is required an actual influence of the same Holy Spirit, to work in them to will and to do of His good pleasure: yet are they not hereupon to grow negligent, as if they were not bound to perform any duty, unless upon a special motion of the Spirit; but they ought to be diligent in stirring up the grace of God that is in them.
John xv. 4, 5; Ezek. xxxvi. 26, 27; Phil. ii. 13; Phil. iv. 13; 2 Cor. iii. 5; Phil. ii. 12; Heb. vi. 11, l2; 2 Pet. i. 3, 5, 10, 11; Isa. lxiv. 7; 2 Tim. i. 6; Acts xxvi. 6, 7; Jude ver. 20, 21.
IV. They, who in their obedience attain to the greatest height which is possible in this life, are so far from being able to supererogate, and to do more than God requires, as that they fall short of much which in duty they are bound to do.
Luke xvii. 10; Neh xiii. 22; Job ix. 2, 3; Gal. v. 17.
V. We cannot, by our best works, merit Pardon of sin, or eternal life at the hand of God, by reason of the great disproportion that is between them and the glory to come; and the infinite distance that is between us and God, whom, by them, we can neither profit, nor satisfy for the debt of our former sins, but when we have done all we can, we have done but our duty, and are unprofitable servants; and because, as they are good, they proceed from His Spirit; and as they are wrought by us, they are defiled, and mixed with so much weakness and imperfection, that they cannot endure the severity of God's judgment.
Rom. iii. 20; Rom. iv. 2, 4, 6; Eph. ii. 8, 9; ***. iii. 5, 6, 7; Rom. viii. 18; Ps. xvi. 2; Job xxii. 2, 3; Job xxxv. 7, 8; Luke xvii. 10; Gal. v. 22, 23; Isa. lxiv. 6; Gal. v. l7; Rom. vii. 15, 18; Ps. cxliii. 2; Ps. cxxx. 3.
VI. Yet notwithstanding, the persons of believers being accepted through Christ, their good works also are accepted in Him, not as though they were in this life wholly unblameable and unreprovable in God's sight; but that He, looking upon them in His Son, is pleased to accept and reward that which is sincere, although accompanied with many weaknesses and imperfections.
Eph. i. 6; 1 Pet. ii. 5; Exod. xxviii. 38, Gen iv. 4 with Heb. xi. 4; Job ix. 20; Ps. cxliii. 2; Heb. xiii. 20, 21; 2 Cor. viii. 12; Heb. vi. 10, Matt. xxv. 21, 23.
VII. Works done by unregenerate men, although, for the matter of them, they may be things which God commands, and of good use both to themselves and others: yet, because they proceed not from a heart purified by faith; nor are done in a right manner according to the Word; nor to a right end, the glory of God; they are therefore sinful, and cannot please God, or make a man meet to receive grace from God. And yet, their neglect of them is more sinful, and displeasing unto God.
2 Kings x. 30, 31; 1 Kings xxi. 27, 29; Phil. i. 15, 16, 18; Gen. iv. 5 with Heb. xi. 4, 6; 1 Cor. xiii. 3: Isa. i. l2; Matt. vi. 2, 5, l6: Hag. ii 14; ***. i. 15; Amos v. 21, 22; Hosea i. 4; Rom. ix. 16; Titus iii. 5; Ps. xiv. 4: Ps. xxxvi. 3; Job xxi. 14, 15; Matt. xxv. 41, 42, 43, 45; Matt. xxiii. 23.
Of Repentance Unto Life
Repentance unto life is an evangelical grace, the doctrine whereof is to be preached by every minister of the Gospel, as well as that of faith in Christ.
Zech. xii. 10; Acts xi. 18; Luke xxiv. 47; Mark i. 5; Acts xx. 21.
II. By it, a sinner, out of the sight and sense not only of the danger, but also of the filthiness and odiousness of his sins, as contrary to the holy nature and righteous law of God; and upon the apprehension of His mercy in Christ to such as are penitent, so grieves for, and hates his sins, as to turn from them all unto God, purposing and endeavoring to walk with Him in all the ways of His commandments.
Ezek. xviii. 30, 31; Ezek. xxxvi. 31; Isa. xxx. 22; Ps. li. 4; Jer. xxxi. 18, 19; Joel ii. 12, 13; Amos v. 15; Ps. cxix. 128; 2 Cor. vii. 11; Ps. cxix. 6, 59, 106; Luke i. 6; 2 Kings xxiii. 25.
III. Although repentance be not to be rested in, as any satisfaction for sin or any cause of the pardon thereof, which is the act of God's free grace in Christ; yet is it of such necessity to all sinners, that none may expect pardon without it.
Ezek. xxxvi. 31, 32; Ezek. xvi. 61. 62, 63; Hos. xiv. 2, 4; Rom. iii. 24; Eph. l. 7; Luke xiii. 3, 5; Acts xvii. 30, 31.
IV. As there is no sin so small, but it deserves damnation, so there is no sin so great, that it can bring damnation upon those who truly repent.
Rom. vi. 23; Rom. v. 12; Matt. xii. 36; Isa lv. 7; Rom. viii. 1; Isa. i. 16, 18.
V. Men ought not to content themselves with a general repentance, but it is every man's duty to endeavour to repent of his particular sins, particularly.
Ps. xix. 13; Luke xix. 8; 1 Tim. i. 13, 15.
VI. As every man is bound to make private confession of his sins to God, praying for the pardon thereof; upon which, and the forsaking of them, he shall find mercy; so, he that scandalizeth his brother, or the Church of Christ, ought to be willing, by a private or public confession, and sorrow for his sin to declare his repentance to those that are offended, who are thereupon to be reconciled to him, and in love to receive him.
Ps. li. 4, 5, 7, 9, 14; Ps. xxxii. 5, 6; Prov. xxviii. 13; 1 John l. 9; James v. 16; Luke xvii. 3, 4; Joshua vii. 19; Ps. li throughout; 2 Cor. ii. 8.
CHAPTER XVI
Of Good Works
Good works are only such as God hath commanded in His holy Word, and not such as, without the warrant thereof, are devised by men, out of blind zeal, or upon any pretence of good intention.
Micah vi. 8; Rom. xii. 2; Heb. xiii. 21; Matt. xv. 9; Isa. xxix. 13; 1 Pet. i. 18; Rom. x. 2; John xvi. 2; 1 Sam. xv. 21, 22, 23.
II. These good works, done in obedience to God's commandments, are the fruits and evidences of a true and lively faith: and by them believers manifest their thankfulness, strengthen their assurance, edify their brethren, adorn the profession of the Gospel, stop the mouths of the adversaries, and glorify God, whose workmanship they are, created in Christ Jesus thereunto; that, having their fruit unto holiness, they may have the end, eternal life.
James ii. 18, 22; Ps. cxvi. 12, 13; 1 Pet. ii. 9, 1 John ii. 3, 5; 2 Pet. i. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, l0; 2 Cor. ix. 2; Matt. v. 16; ***. ii. 5, 9, 10, 11, 12; 1 Tim. vi. l; 1 Pet. ii. 15; 1 Pet. ii. 12; Phil. i. 11; John xv. 8; Eph. ii. 10; Rom. vi. 22.
III. Their ability to do good works is not at all of themselves, but wholly from the Spirit of Christ. And that they may be enabled thereunto, besides the graces they have already received, there is required an actual influence of the same Holy Spirit, to work in them to will and to do of His good pleasure: yet are they not hereupon to grow negligent, as if they were not bound to perform any duty, unless upon a special motion of the Spirit; but they ought to be diligent in stirring up the grace of God that is in them.
John xv. 4, 5; Ezek. xxxvi. 26, 27; Phil. ii. 13; Phil. iv. 13; 2 Cor. iii. 5; Phil. ii. 12; Heb. vi. 11, l2; 2 Pet. i. 3, 5, 10, 11; Isa. lxiv. 7; 2 Tim. i. 6; Acts xxvi. 6, 7; Jude ver. 20, 21.
IV. They, who in their obedience attain to the greatest height which is possible in this life, are so far from being able to supererogate, and to do more than God requires, as that they fall short of much which in duty they are bound to do.
Luke xvii. 10; Neh xiii. 22; Job ix. 2, 3; Gal. v. 17.
V. We cannot, by our best works, merit Pardon of sin, or eternal life at the hand of God, by reason of the great disproportion that is between them and the glory to come; and the infinite distance that is between us and God, whom, by them, we can neither profit, nor satisfy for the debt of our former sins, but when we have done all we can, we have done but our duty, and are unprofitable servants; and because, as they are good, they proceed from His Spirit; and as they are wrought by us, they are defiled, and mixed with so much weakness and imperfection, that they cannot endure the severity of God's judgment.
Rom. iii. 20; Rom. iv. 2, 4, 6; Eph. ii. 8, 9; ***. iii. 5, 6, 7; Rom. viii. 18; Ps. xvi. 2; Job xxii. 2, 3; Job xxxv. 7, 8; Luke xvii. 10; Gal. v. 22, 23; Isa. lxiv. 6; Gal. v. l7; Rom. vii. 15, 18; Ps. cxliii. 2; Ps. cxxx. 3.
VI. Yet notwithstanding, the persons of believers being accepted through Christ, their good works also are accepted in Him, not as though they were in this life wholly unblameable and unreprovable in God's sight; but that He, looking upon them in His Son, is pleased to accept and reward that which is sincere, although accompanied with many weaknesses and imperfections.
Eph. i. 6; 1 Pet. ii. 5; Exod. xxviii. 38, Gen iv. 4 with Heb. xi. 4; Job ix. 20; Ps. cxliii. 2; Heb. xiii. 20, 21; 2 Cor. viii. 12; Heb. vi. 10, Matt. xxv. 21, 23.
VII. Works done by unregenerate men, although, for the matter of them, they may be things which God commands, and of good use both to themselves and others: yet, because they proceed not from a heart purified by faith; nor are done in a right manner according to the Word; nor to a right end, the glory of God; they are therefore sinful, and cannot please God, or make a man meet to receive grace from God. And yet, their neglect of them is more sinful, and displeasing unto God.
2 Kings x. 30, 31; 1 Kings xxi. 27, 29; Phil. i. 15, 16, 18; Gen. iv. 5 with Heb. xi. 4, 6; 1 Cor. xiii. 3: Isa. i. l2; Matt. vi. 2, 5, l6: Hag. ii 14; ***. i. 15; Amos v. 21, 22; Hosea i. 4; Rom. ix. 16; Titus iii. 5; Ps. xiv. 4: Ps. xxxvi. 3; Job xxi. 14, 15; Matt. xxv. 41, 42, 43, 45; Matt. xxiii. 23.
