A65293:261
The Doctrine of Repentance
The doctrine of repentance, useful for these times by Tho. Watson ...
London: printed by R.W. for Thomas Parkhurst, 1668
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
3. Repentance commends all our services1 to God. That is Gods savoury meat, which is seasoned with the bitter herbs of godly sorrow. Hearing of the word •s then good, when we are pricked at the heart, Act. 2. 37. Prayer is delightful to God, when it ascends from the Altar of a broken heart. The Publican smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner; this prayer pierced Heaven: He went away justified rather than the other, Luke 18. 14. No prayer toucheth Gods ear, but what comes from an heart touched with the sense of sin.
3. Repentance commends all our services1 to God. That is Gods savoury meat, which is seasoned with the bitter hearbs of godly sorrow. Hearing of the word •s then good, when we are pricked at the heart, Act. 2. 37. Prayer is delightful to God, when it ascends from the Altar of a broken heart. The Publican smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner; this prayer pierced Heaven: He went away justified rather than the other, Luke 18. 14. No prayer toucheth Gods ear, but what comes from an heart touched with the sense of sin.
- 13 Motive.
4. Without Repentance, nothing will1 avail us. Some bless themselves that they have a stock of knowledge, but what is knowledge good for without Repentance? It is better to mortify one in, than to understand all mysteries. Impure speculatists do but resemble Satan, transformed into an Angel of light. Learning and a bad heart, is like a fair face with a cancer in the breast. Knowledge without Repentance, will be but a torch o light men to Hell.