The true doctrine of justification asserted and vindicated, from the errors of Papists, Arminians,…The true doctrine of justification asserted and vindicated, from the errours of Papists, Arminians,…

¹4. There is a necessity of Repentance if we would have pardon, both by a necessity of precept or command; as also by a necessity of means and a way.

1. 1Propos. 4.

Whatsoever is necessary, Necessitate medii, by a necessity of means or a way; is also necessary by a necessity of command, though not è contra. That repentance is necessary by way of a command, is plain by the places fore-quoted, and in innumerable other places. I do not handle the case, Whether an actual or explicit repentance be necessary to salvation of every sinner; but I speak in the general. It is disputed, Whether it be a natural precept, or a mere positive command; and if it be a natural or moral command, to which command it is reduced? Those that would have it under the command of, Thou shalt not kill, as if there were commanded a care of our souls, that they should not be damned, are ignorant of the true limits and bounds of the several Commandments. Its disputed also, When this time of repentance doth bind? It is a wonder that some should limit it only to times of danger and fear of death. Certainly this command binds as soon as ever a man hath sinned, Venenata inducias non patiuntur, A man that hath swallowed down poison, is not to linger, but presently to expel it. And one that is wounded, ⟨p. 149⟩who lieth bleeding, doth presently dispatch with all readiness for Physicians, to have his blood stopped: and thus ought men to take the first opportunity. Hence in that famous miracle wrought at the pool of Bethesda, not the second or third, but he that stepped first into it was the only man that was healed. As repentance is thus necessary by way of command, so also by way of means: for the Spirit of God worketh this in a man, to qualify him for this pardon; So that although there be no causality, condignity or merit in our repentance, yet it is of that nature, that God doth ordain and appoint it a way for pardon: So that the command for repentance is not like those positive commands of the Sacraments, wherein the will of the Law-giver is merely the ground of the duty; but there is also a fitness in the thing it should be so: even as among men, nature teacheth, That the injurious person should be sorry, and ask forgiveness before he be pardoned.