The Doctrine of Repentance

Is turning from sin a necessary▪ Ingredient¹ in Repentance, then there is² but little Repentance to be found. People are not turned from their sins, they are still the same they were. Proud they were, and so they are still. Like the beasts in Noah's Ark, they went into the Ark unclean, and came out unclean. Men come to Ordinances impure, and go away impure. Though men have seen so many changes without, yet there is no change wrought within, Isa. 9. 13. The people turneth not to him that smiteth. How can they say they repent who do not turn? Are they washed in Jordan, who have still their Leprosy upon their forehead? May not God say to the unreformed, as once to Ephraim^*, Hos. 4. 17. Ephraim is joined to Idols, let him alone. So, here is a man joined to his drunkenness, and uncleanness, let him alone, let him go on in sin^*; but if there be either justice in Heaven, or vengeance in Hell, he shall not go unpunished.

Is turning from sin a necessary▪ Ingredient¹ in Repentance, then there is² but little Repentance to be found. People are not turned from their sins, they are still the same they were. Proud they were, and so they are still. Like the beasts in Noahs Ark, they went into the Ark unclean, and came out unclean. Men come to Ordinances impure, and go away impure. Though men have seen so many changes without, yet there is no change wrought within, Isa. 9. 13. The people turneth not to him that smiteth. How can they say they repent who do not turn? Are they washed in Iordan, who have still their Leprosie upon their forehead? May not God say to the unreformed, as once to Ephraim