A Body of Practical Divinity

2. Repentance causeth a Change in the Affections, which move under the Will, as the Commander in Chief. Repentance doth metamorphize the Affections. It turns rejoicing in Sin into Sorrow for Sin: It turns Boldness in Sin into holy Shame: It turns the Love of Sin into Hatred. As Amnon hated Tamar more than ever he loved her, 2 Sam. 13.15. So the true Penitent hateth Sin more than ever he loved it. Psal. 119.104. I hate every false way.

2. Repentance causeth a Change in the Affections, which move under the Will, as the Commander in Chief. Repentance doth metamorphize the Affections. It turns rejoycing in Sin into Sorrow for Sin: It turns Boldness in Sin into holy Shame: It turns the Love of Sin into Hatred. As Amnon hated Tamar more than ever he loved her, 2 Sam. 13.15. So the true Penitent hateth Sin more than ever he loved it. Psal. 119.104. I hate every false way.

3. Repentance works a Change in the Life. Tho Repentance begins at the Heart, it doth not rest there, but goes into the Life. I say it begins at the Heart. Jer. 4.14. O Jerusalem, wash thy Heart. If the Spring be corrupt, there can no pure Stream run from it. But tho Repentance begins at the Heart, it doth not rest there, but changeth the Life. What a Change did Repentance make in Paul! It changed a Persecutor into a Preacher. What a Change did it make in the Jailer! Acts 16.33. He took the Apostles and washed their Stripes, and set Meat before them. What a Change did it make in Mary Magdalen! She that before did kiss her Lovers with wanton Embraces, now kisseth Christ's Feet. She that did use to rl her Hair, and dress it with costly Jewels, now she makes it a Towel to wipe Christ's Feet. Her Eyes that used to sparkle with Lust, and with impure Glances to entice her Lovers, now she makes them a Fountain of Tears to wash her Saviours Feet. Her Tongue that used to speak vainly and loosely, now it is an instrument set in Tune to praise God. And this Change of Life hath two things in it.