A Body of Practical Divinity

1. The Terminus à quo, a breaking off Sin. Dan. 4.27. Break off thy Sin by Righteousness. And this breaking off Sin must have three Qualifications. (1.) It must be Universal, a breaking off all Sin. One Disease may kill as well as more: One Sin lived in may damn as well as more. The real Penitent breaks off Secret, Gainful, Complexion Sins: He takes the Sacrificing Knife of Mortification, and runs it through the Heart of his dearest Lusts. (2.) Breaking off Sin must be Sincere; it must not be out of Fear or Design, but upon Spiritual Grounds. As, 1. From Antipathy and Disgust. 2. From a Principle of Love to God. If Sin had not such Evil Effects, yet a true Penitent would forsake it out of Love to God. The best way to separate things that are frozen, is, by Fire. When Sin and the Heart are frozen together, the best way to separate them is the Fire of Love. Shall I sin against a gracious Father, and abuse that Love which pardons me? (3.) The breaking off Sin must be perpetual, so as never to have to do with Sin any more. Hos. 14.8. What have I to do any more with Idols? Repentance is a Spiritual Divorce, which must be till Death.

1. The Terminus à quo, a breaking off Sin. Dan. 4.27. Break off thy Sin by Righteousness. And this breaking off Sin must have three Qualifications. (1.) It must be Vniversal, a breaking off all Sin. One Disease may kill as well as more: One Sin lived in may damn as well as more. The real Penitent breaks off Secret, Gainful, Complexion Sins: He takes the Sacrificing Knife of Mortification, and runs it through the Heart of his dearest Lusts. (2.) Breaking off Sin must be Sincere; it must not be out of Fear or Design, but upon Spiritual Grounds. As, 1. From Antipathy and Disgust. 2. From a Principle of Love to God. If Sin had not such Evil Effects, yet a true Penitent would forsake it out of Love to God. The best way to separate things that are frozen, is, by Fire. When Sin and the Heart are frozen together, the best way to separate them is the Fire of Love. Shall I sin against a gracious Father, and abuse that Love which pardons me? (3.) The breaking off Sin must be perpetual, so as never to have to do with Sin any more. Hos. 14.8. What have I to do any more with Idols? Repentance is a Spiritual Divorce, which must be till Death.