Expl. 87. This repentance is called repentance unto life, because the fruit thereof is unto holiness, and the end everlasting life, and concerning this repentance several things are to be noted (1st,) concerning the nature of it that (as well as faith) it is a saving-grace, because ⟨p. 148⟩it is a part of Sanctification, and not a common work of the spirit which is reckoned up amongst those things which do not accompany Salvation, as every part of Sanctification doth. (2dly,) Concerning the immediate spring of this repentance, and that is a true sense of sin, (i. e.) such a sense of sin as doth break the heart for sin, and that in a kindly manner with grief, or godly sorrow not with despair; this latter sense of sin may be found in a Judas, but only the former in a Paul; for whether it be in reference to the guilt of sin, a true penitent does not despair of pardoning mercy; or whether it be in reference to the punishment of sin, he hopes to be delivered from the wrath to come; and therefore this true sense of sin, and a lively apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ are here joined together. (3dly,) We have here the inward acts of repentance, as (1) grief of heart for sin, called therefore a being pricked at the heart, and a being contrite, and broken in spirit; which is when a mans heart is ready to bleed and melt, and tremble within him because he has broken the holy Law of God, and has thereby foolishly exposed himself to the curse and penalty of the Law. (2) Hatred of sin whereby a man doth disrelish, and dislike sin, and can roll it as a sweet morsel under his tongue no longer; when he does not only not love sin, but he abhors it, the very thoughts of it are grievous and ungrateful to him; and therefore (3) he turns from it, ⟨p. 149⟩not only does as one who turns away his face that cannot endure to behold it, but his feet, for he hastens as far from it as he can, and that he may secure himself from the danger of it he turns from it to God. (4) With resolution not to return to his old beloved any more. (4thly,) we have here the outward effects of repentance (called its fruits) active, constant, universal endeavours to lead a new life.
Expl. 87. This repentance is called repentance unto life, because the fruit thereof is unto holiness, and the end everlasting life, and concerning this repentance several things are to be noted (1st,) concerning the nature of it that (as well as faith) it is a saving-grace, because ⟨p. 148⟩it is a part of Sanctification, and not a common work of the spirit which is reckon'd up amongst those things which do not accompany Salvation, as every part of Sanctification doth. (2dly,) Concerning the immediate spring of this repentance, and that is a true sense of sin, (i. e.) such a sense of sin as doth break the heart for sin, and that in a kindly manner with grief, or godly sorrow not with despair; this latter sense of sin may be found in a Iudas, but only the former in a Paul; for whether it be in reference to the guilt of sin, a true penitent does not despair of pardoning mercy; or whether it be in reference to the punishment of sin, he hopes to be deliver'd from the wrath to come; and therefore this true sense of sin, and a lively apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ are here joyned together. (3dly,) We have here the inward acts of repentance, as (1) grief of heart for sin, called therefore a being pricked at the heart, and a being contrite, and broken in spirit; which is when a mans heart is ready to bleed and melt, and tremble within him because he has broken the holy Law of God, and has thereby foolishly exposed himself to the curse and penalty of the Law. (2) Hatred of sin whereby a man doth disrellish, and dislike sin, and can roul it as a sweet morsel under his tongue no longer; when he does not only not love sin, but he abhors it, the very thoughts of it are grievous and ungrateful to him; and therefore (3) he turns from it, ⟨p. 149⟩not only does as one who turns away his face that cannot endure to behold it, but his feet, for he hastens as far from it as he can, and that he may secure himself from the danger of it he turns from it to God. (4) With resolution not to return to his old beloved any more. (4thly,) we have here the outward effects of repentance (called its fruits) active, constant, universal endeavours to lead a new life.
