A supplement to the several discourses upon various divine subjects

3. 'Tis against the nature of our repentance and first closing with God. Repentance is a change of the purpose of the heart, not to Commit the same iniquity again, nor any other, Job. 34.32. If I have done iniquity, I will do no more. 'Tis the property of converting grace to make the Soul cleave to the Lord with full purpose of heart, Act. 11.23. This is essential to it, though there may be some startings out by passion and temptation. A Pilots intention stands right for the port, though by the violence of the wind he may be forced another way. It alters not his purpose, though it defer his performance. This purpose is a perpetual intent, Psal. 119.112. v. I have inclined my heart to keep thy statutes alway even to the end. It was an heart-purpose and inclination; It regarded all Gods statutes, not for a fit, but perpetually, which he manifests by two words [always even to the end] to show that the perpetuity of it doth difference it from the resolutions of wicked men, who may indeed have some fits to do good, but not a fixed purpose to cleave to the Lord; these flashy purposes are like the flight of a bird which seems to touch Heaven, and in a moment falls down to the earth; as Saul resolved not to persecute David, but we soon find him again upon his old game & pursuit. Where ⟨p. 94⟩there is true grace, there is hatred of all sin, for hatred is [Greek or Hebrew]. Can a man be resolved to Commit what he hates? No. For his inward aversion would secure him more against it than all outward obstacles. As this inward purpose of a good man is against all sin, so more particularly against that which doth so easily beset him. David seems in several places to be naturally inclined to lying, but he takes up a particular resolution against it, Psal. 17.3. I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress. [Greek or Hebrew] I have contrived to way-lay and intercept the sin of lying when it hath an occasion to approach me. A good man hath not only purposes, but he endeavours to fasten and strengthen those purposes by prayer. So David, v. 5. [hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not. He strengthens himself by stirring up a liveliness in duty, and by avoiding occasions of sin, v. 4. [I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer. Whereas a wicked man neither steps out of the way of a temptation, nor steps up to God for strength against it.