A65293:62
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.
2. It is a sorrow for heart-sins. The first ebullitions and risings of sin*. Paul grieved for the Law in his members, ⟨p. 18⟩Rom. 7. 23. The true mourner weeps for the stirrings of pride and concupiscence; he grieves for the root of bitterness, though it never blossoms into act. A wicked man may be troubled for scandalous sins; a real convert laments heart-sins.
- *Motus primo primi.
2. Godly sorrow is ingenuous; it is1 more for the offence than the punishment. Gods Law is infringed, his love abused; this melts the soul in tears. A man may be sorry, yet not repent: As a thief is sorry when he is taken, not because he stole, but because he comes under the penalty. Hypocrites grieve only for the bitter consequence of sin. I have read of a fountain that never sends forth streams but the evening before a famine: So their eyes never pour out tears, but when Gods Judgements are approaching. Pharaoh was more troubled for the frogs and River of blood, than for his sin. But godly sorrow is chiefly for the trespass against God; so that if there were no conscience to smite, no Devil to accuse, no Hell to punish, yet the soul would be grieved because of the prejudice done to God, Psal. 51. 4. My sin is ever before me. David doth not say, the sword threatened is ever before me, but, my sin. ⟨p. 19⟩Oh that I should offend so good a God, that I should grieve my Comforter; this breaks my heart!
2. Godly sorrow is ingenuous; it is