A Body of Practical Divinity

Repentance seems to be a bitter Pill to take, but it is to purge out the bad Humour of Sin. Repentance is by some Antinomian Spirits cried down as a Legal Doctrine; but Christ himself preached it. Matth. 4.17. From that time Jesus began to Preach, and to say, Repent, &c. And in his last Farewell, when he was ascending to Heaven, he commanded that Repentance should be Preached in his Name, Luke 24.37. Repentance is a pure Gospel-Grace. The Covenant of Works would not admit of Repentance: It cursed all that could not perform perfect and personal Obedience, Gal. 3.10. Repentance comes in by the Gospel; it is the Fruit of Christ's Purchase, that Repenting Sinners shall be saved. Repentance is wrought by the Ministry of the Gospel, while it sets before our Eyes Christ Crucified. Repentance is not Arbitrary, but Necessary; there is no being saved without it. Luke 13.3. Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise Perish. And we may be thankful to God, that he hath left us this Plank after Shipwreck.

Repentance seems to be a bitter Pill to take, but it is to purge out the bad Humour of Sin. Repentance is by some Antinomian Spirits cryed down as a Legal Doctrine; but Christ himself preached it. Matth. 4.17. From that time Iesus began to Preach, and to say, Repent, &c. And in his last Farewell, when he was ascending to Heaven, he commanded that Repentance should be Preached in his Name, Luke 24.37. Repentance is a pure Gospel-Grace. The Covenant of Works would not admit of Repentance: It cursed all that could not perform perfect and personal Obedience, Gal. 3.10. Repentance comes in by the Gospel; it is the Fruit of Christ's Purchase, that Repenting Sinners shall be saved. Repentance is wrought by the Ministry of the Gospel, while it sets before our Eyes Christ Crucified. Repentance is not Arbitrary, but Necessary; there is no being saved without it.