The Doctrine of Repentance

1. Is shame an Ingredient into Repentance, then how far are they from being penitents, who have no shame? many have sinned away shame, Zeph. 3. 5. The unjust knoweth no shame^*. It is a great shame not to be ashamed; the Lord sets it as a brand upon the Jews, Jer. 6. 15. Were they ashamed when they committed abomination; nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush *. The Devil hath² stolen shame from men. When one of the Persecutors in Queen Mary's time ^*was upbraided with his bloodiness to the Martyrs; I see nothing (saith he) to be ashamed of. Many are no more ashamed of their sin, than King Nebuchadnezzar was of his being turned to grass. When men have hearts of Stone, and foreheads of Brass, 'tis a sign the Devil hath taken full possession of them^*. There is no creature capable of shame but man: the brute beasts are capable of fear and pain, but not capable of shame: you cannot make a beast blush: such do too much resemble the beasts who cannot blush for sin.

1. Is shame an Ingredient into Repentance, then how far are they from being penitents, who have no shame? many have sinned away shame, Zeph. 3. 5. The unjust knoweth no shame^*. It is a great shame not to be ashamed; the Lord sets it as a brand upon the Jews, Ier. 6. 15. Were they ashamed when they committed abomination; nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush *. The Devil hath² stoln shame from men. When one of the Persecutors in Queen Maries time