The Doctrine of Repentance

—Flumina jam lactis, jam flumina nectaris▪ ibant, Planaque de viridi stillabant ilice mella ^*—

1. *Ovid.

O Christian, what are thy duties compared with the recompense of reward? what an infinite disproportion is there between Repentance enjoined, and glory prepared? There was a feast-day at Rome, wherein they used to crown their fountains^*. God will crown those heads ⟨p. 113⟩which have been fountains of tears. Who would not be willing to be a while in the house of mourning, that shall be possessed of such glory, as put Peter and John into an ecstasy to see it but darkly, shadowed and portrayed out in the transfiguration, Matth. 17. ^*This reward which free-grace gives, is so transcendently great, that could we have but a glimpse of glory revealed to us here, we should need patience to be content to live any longer. O blessed Repentance, that hast such a light side with thy dark, and hast so much sugar at the bottom of thy bitter cup.

O Christian, what are thy duties compared with the recompence of reward? what an infinite disproportion is there between Repentance enjoyned, and glory prepared? There was a feast-day at Rome, wherein they used to crown their fountains^*. God will crown those heads ⟨p. 113⟩