2. For Repentance. This is the most lively and powerful Means of bringing Men to new Life and Blessedness. (1.) It is most for the Honour of God, that we should not be pardoned without submission, without confession of ⟨p. 150⟩past Sin, and Resolution of future Obedience. Common Reason will tell us, that our Case is not compassionable while we are impenitent, and hold it out against God. Who will pity those in Misery, who are unwilling to come out of it? Besides, it would infringe the Honour of God's Law and Government, that one continuing in his Sins, and despising both the Curse of the Law, and the Grace of the Gospel, should be pardoned and saved. Repentance is often called a giving Glory to God, Mal. 2. 2. Ye will not lay it to Heart, and give Glory to my Name. Josh. 7. 19. My Son, give Glory to God, and make Confession to him. Rev. 16. 9. They repented not to give Glory to God. Repentance restoreth God's Honour to Him, as it acknowledges the Justice of his Laws. The self-condemning Sinner acknowledges that God may destroy him, and if he save him it is mere Mercy. (2.) The Duty of the Creature is best secured, and the penitent Person more bound to future Obedience; partly by the Vow it self, or the Bond of the holy Oath into which he is entered, and the Circumstances accompanying it, which surely induce a Hatred of Sin, and a Love of Holiness. There will be a hearty Consent to live in the Love, Obedience, and Service of our Creator, with a detestation of our former Ways. When we feel the smart of Sin, such a Sense of it will ever stick by us; and when we are in the deepest and freshest Sense of his pardoning Mercy; when we see at how dear rates he is pleased to have us, and upon what free terms to pardon all our Wrongs; we shall love much, Luk. 7. 47. Surely they that are brought back from the Gibbet, and the very Gates of Hell, by such an Act of pardoning Mercy, are most likely to remember the Vows of their Distress, and are more engaged to love God, and please Him, than others are. (3.) It is most for the Comfort of the Creature, that a stated Course of recovering our selves into the Peace and Hope of the Gospel should be appointed to us, which may leave the ⟨p. 151⟩greatest Sense upon our Consciences.
2. For Repentance. This is the most lively and powerful Means of bringing Men to new Life and Blessedness. (1.) It is most for the Honour of God, that we should not be pardoned without submission, without confession of ⟨p. 150⟩past Sin, and Resolution of future Obedience. Common Reason will tell us, that our Case is not compassionable while we are impenitent, and hold it out against God. Who will pity those in Misery, who are unwilling to come out of it? Besides, it would infringe the Honour of God's Law and Government, that one continuing in his Sins, and despising both the Curse of the Law, and the Grace of the Gospel, should be pardoned and saved. Repentance is often called a giving Glory to God, Mal. 2. 2. Ye will not lay it to Heart, and give Glory to my Name. Josh. 7. 19. My Son, give Glory to God, and make Confession to him. Rev. 16. 9. They repented not to give Glory to God. Repentance restoreth God's Honour to Him, as it acknowledges the Justice of his Laws. The self-condemning Sinner acknowledges that God may destroy him, and if he save him it is meer Mercy. (2.) The Duty of the Creature is best secured, and the penitent Person more bound to future Obedience; partly by the Vow it self, or the Bond of the holy Oath into which he is entred, and the Circumstances accompanying it, which surely induce a Hatred of Sin, and a Love of Holiness. There will be a hearty Consent to live in the Love, Obedience, and Service of our Creator, with a detestation of our former Ways. When we feel the smart of Sin, such a Sense of it will ever stick by us; and when we are in the deepest and freshest Sense of his pardoning Mercy; when we see at how dear rates he is pleased to have us, and upon what free terms to pardon all our Wrongs; we shall love much, Luk. 7. 47. Surely they that are brought back from the Gibbet, and the very Gates of Hell, by such an Act of pardoning Mercy, are most likely to remember the Vows of their Distress, and are more ingaged to love God, and please Him, than others are. (3.) It is most for the Comfort of the Creature, that a stated Course of recovering our selves into the Peace and Hope of the Gospel should be appointed to us, which may leave the ⟨p. 151⟩greatest Sense upon our Consciences.
