1. To seek and labour after Repentance in the use of all means, by which God is wont to work it in the hearts of Men, such as diligent attendance on the Word (Repentance no less than Faith comes by hearing, Rom. 10.17.) and what external means of Grace are appointed in it: Intention of the Mind in that attendance on the means, Mens applying the Truths delivered to themselves, comparing their Cases with it, examining themselves by it, considering their ways, &c. which are but the actings of their reasonable Faculties, and as much in their power as other moral Actions are, and need not the Supernatural Influence of Divine Grace, but only those common assistances God affords to Man in the ordinary actions of a rational Life; and in a word, these are but such kind of workings as show them to be Men, not to be Saints, Isa. 46.8. To these means, in the use of which God is wont to work repentance, I refer Prayer for it, which though by an unregenerate Person, it cannot be performed graciously, and unto acceptance; yet we may say it may be thus far performed successfully, as that those Prayers may be heard, and answered in relation to the Grace they seek, and in the Elect of God they are heard, tho' not with respect to the Persons, (which being graceless, faithless, cannot be accepted of God) yet with respect to his own thoughts of Love towards them, and his eternal purpose of conferring that Grace upon them.
1. To seek and labour after Repentance in the use of all means, by which God is wont to work it in the hearts of Men, such as diligent attendance on the Word (Repentance no less than Faith comes by hearing, Rom. 10.17.) and what external means of Grace are appointed in it: Intention of the Mind in that attendance on the means, Mens applying the Truths delivered to themselves, comparing their Cases with it, examining themselves by it, considering their ways, &c. which are but the actings of their reasonable Faculties, and as much in their power as other moral Actions are, and need not the Supernatural Influence of Divine Grace, but only those common assistances God affords to Man in the ordinary actions of a rational Life; and in a word, these are but such kind of workings as shew them to be Men, not to be Saints, Isa. 46.8. To these means, in the use of which God is wont to work repentance, I refer Prayer for it, which though by an unregenerate Person, it cannot be performed graciously, and unto acceptance; yet we may say it may be thus far performed successfully, as that those Prayers may be heard, and answered in relation to the Grace they seek, and in the Elect of God they are heard, tho' not with respect to the Persons, (which being graceless, faithless, cannot be accepted of God) yet with respect to his own thoughts of Love towards them, and his eternal purpose of conferring that Grace upon them.
