Gospell maketh thee capable of mercy and pardon 2 Why is Repentance Preached to naturall men but that of old men they should be come new of Wolues they should become Sheepe of Christs fold of Ethiopians and strangers they shoud become of the houshold and family of God Such were they to whom Peter Preached Act. 2. when so many thousands were conuerted and in all ages we haue commission to instruct the contrary minded with meekenesse waiting when God will giue them Repentance 2. Tim. 2.15 3 Ciuill men haue most need be called to Repentance because they thinke of all other they least need repentance and seem to themselues not to be so farre from the Kingdome of God as indeed they be For hauing no sense of their misery they rest in pure naturals ciuill honesty externall vertues as in a good estate And indeed this conceit of their goodnesse leaueth them in a damnable condition that what our Lord saith of a rich man I may say of a ciuill man it is hard for him to come to heauen and often extreame flagitious sinners are sooner coÌ„uerted Publicans and Harlots that cannot haue that conceit of themselues goe often into heauen before them Let all such well consider what is all ciuill vpright honest carriage before God without Faith and Repentance Surely nothing but a shining sinne and beautifull abhomination And therefore the Apostle Paul though before his conuerâ—sion hee was beyond all ciuill men in respect of gifts vertues and righteousnesse of the Law yet he must vndoe all this and cast out all as dung in comparison of grace and begin all againe What better was the Pharisee for thanking God he was not as other vniust extortioner nor as the despised Publican when hee could not thanke God that hee was a Penitent or beleeuer What better art thou to say I thanke God I come to Church heare the Word receiue the Sacraments pay men their due giue almes to the poore when with a forme of Ciuility or Religion thou onely couerest thy corruption from thine owne eyes as a man in the darke but art an enemy to the power of godlinesse to the powerfull Preaching of the Word to godly Preachers a resister of Faith Repentance Mortification and holinesse in thy selfe and others without which thou shalt neuer see God Thanke God as much as thou wilt thou shalt neuer get thanke from God for all this 2 If all men then godly and regenerate men who haue already repented they must hold on their repentance For 1 Euen the best men after grace receiued haue sinne dwelling in them Rom. 7.14 The law is spirituall but I am carnall sold vnder sinne Paul was then long conuerted euen then did that he hated and hated what he did verse 15. And no man in earth so iust that sinneth not Eccl. 7.22 witnesse Noah Lot Abraham Dauid Petâ—r the Virgin Mary 〈…〉 they are out-straying Psal. 119.10 2 God will haue the best men trayned in Repentance by the daily sight of their sinnes in many burdens temptations corruptions sicknesses casualties and death it selfe for euen they by many afflictions must enter into heauen All fruits of sinne must be goades to Repentance 3 The best must daily repent because euen the best duties performed by the strength of grace are in themselues sinfull and defectiue the righteousnesse of the Christian is as a filthy clout How much cause haue they daily to bewaile their sinnes that must repent for their best duties 4 Our Lord hath taught his Disciples and the most regenerate to pray daily for forgiuenes of sinne which is an act of Repentance Neuer can a man bee free from Repentance till he be free from sinne whic◠〈◊〉 use the best can neuer 〈…〉 he must neuer lay 〈…〉 Repentance When thou hast attained a perfect image of God then farewell Repentance but that image which was lost in a moment cannot be repayred throughout the whole life for the repayring of which they must still retaine and renue Repentance 3 If all men then young men must repent Eccles. 12.1 Remember thy Creator in the daies of thy youth For 1 How is it for vs to take the corruption of nature in hand betimes for sinne fasteneth by continuance a sore the longer vncured the more incurable it is so in this corruption which is morbus naturae and habits grow into another nature which will not be repelled easily 2 The Grace of Repentance is a gift of God not in our owne power and must be taken while it is offered If God offer it now to thee a young man or maid refuse not this gracious offer but euen this day heare his voice and as young Samuel say Speake Lord thy seruant heareth 3 What a commendation and aduantage is it for youth to bee early graced and truely conuerted euen in the morning of their life Many sinnes are preuented in such a one whereby also much sorrow and accusation is cut off which doth often perplexe good men as Dauid prayeth often against the sinnes of his youth Besides such a one hath many opportunities of well doing and aboundeth in good duties to their abundant comfort both here and in their reckoning 4 Young persons may dye they haue no lease of their liues youth is as fickle as age time and tide stayeth not perhaps the Gospell will not stay with thee perhaps thou art not to stay in the world Know thy day and time of visitation 4 If all men then old men must hasten their Repentance while yet their glasse runneth 1 If young men must not deferre their Repentance because they may dye old men must much more because they must dye 2 Thou art an old man whose time in the likely course of nature cannot be long hast thou deferred thy repentance till the 11. or 12. houre and yet is it too soone to repent Was not Iesabel in state fearefull enough before God by her fornication and filthinesse but that God gaue her space to repent and the repented not This is the very height of sinne and heapeth vp a terrible damnation Is it not damnation enough to be a sinner before God but an old sinner an old drunkard swearer fornicator lyer cousner an old foxe and an old barking dogge against all goodnesse 3 Consider how the lees and dregs of profanenesse be most sowre and stinking in old men what a filthy sent leaueth an old sinner when he is gone he was an old gracelesse man enemy of God to death only his sinne was strong and youthfull in him to the last 5 If all then women must repent too if they will not perish 1 Gods Schoole is as well open for women as for men and the Scriptures and the Ministery belong as well to women as to men and these are commanded to learne the doctrine of Faith and Repentance as men and to professe the feare of God 1 Tim. 2.15 2 Women were made to the image of GOD as well as men Gen. 1.27 and were first
I shall bee conuerted Lament 5.21 Turne vs O Lord vnto thee and we shall be turned 3. Such are the strong resistances and enemies of grace within vs and without vs that it must bee onely the Spirit of power and fortitude that must conquer them The strong man hath taken the hold the deuill worketh effectually in blinding the eyes and taking captiue the wills of wicked men to rule them at his pleasure 2. Tim. 2.26 and onely a stronger man can cast him out Such is the strength of lusts and the numberlesse excuses of sin and sinners as only the Spirit can conuince of sin Such is the frowardnesse and peruersenesse of spirit in euill men yea the deadnesse and senselesnesse of heart obfirmed by wicked habits and customes of himselfe and the world without that all the power of the means shall be frustrate and bee ineffectuall to turne the sinner if the Spirit of God quicken them not with life and power to this purpose Whence it will follow 1. That wee cannot repent when wee will as the Atheist thinketh Repentance is no flower that groweth in our own garden If the Lord by his Spirit draw vs not we neuer run after him Object But why haue we so many commandements to repent if it bee not in our power they seem to be very idle Answ. 1. Deus jubet quae non possumus vt nouerimus quid ab eo petere debeamus saith Augustine 2. Exhortations are instruments in which the Spirit putteth forth his power and commeth into our hearts 2. We must beware of resisting the Spirit in this worke or in the meanes whereby hee worketh repentance in vs. Quest. Tell vs how the Spirit bringeth vs to Repentance Answ. 1. Docendo Hee must teach outwardly The teaching of the Spirit is necessary to lead vs into the knowledge of our selues and of God The former he doth by the Law letting vs see our misery 1. by sinne 2. the punishment of sin The latter by the Gospell shewing vs what God is in his Son and vnto vs ready to receiue vs to grace and mercie Euery one must therefore heare the voice of the Spirit in the Ministery seeing the Spirit not without the Word but by the Word as an ordinary instrument worketh Repentance Heare the Word Perswading and inuiting to Repentance Promising grace and mercy to the pâ—nitent Threatning the impenitent Isay 55.7 By this meanes the Iewes were pricked and conuerted Acts 2.37 By the Lydia's heart was opened Acts 16. and such as refuse and resist the Word are neuer drawne to Repentance Pro. 1. Because ye would not heare my voice I will not heare you 2. Ducendo by inward mouing and perswading The Spirit must bee Doctor and Ducton This inward motion is 1. In changing the minde to see both sin and the reward of sin what and how great both of them are 2. In framing the will and making it of euill good and bowing it from it selfe to the willing of grace 3. In kindling the affections with a desire of good and hatred of euill Now therefore if thou wouldest truly repent thou must also giue thy selfe to bee led by the Spirit cherish his motions affect his graces for he must not only shew vs repentance but lead vs into it 3. If the Spirit be the efficient and author of repentance then neuer despaire of great sinners He can presently make of Saul a persecutor Paul a Preacher hee can easily raise a dead man from the graue of sin let him be neuer so rotten Here is a worke of power and a powerfull worker Neither be out of heart in the sense of strongest corruption and resistance against grace When thou seest armies of lusts rise vp in thee and whole hosts of rebels vp in armes against the worke of grace hold on the combate and this Spirit of power shall chase them before thee Goe forth in his strength and feare not assured victory greater is the spirit in thee than in the world CAP. 3. Of the subiect of Repentance 2. THe subiect of Repentance is the beleeuer the generall subiect of Repentance is a sinner for Christ came to call sinners But because euery sinner repenteth not I say only the beleeuer turneth Where I plainly conclude that question wherein is more scruple than staid wisedome That Faith goeth before Repentance not Repentance before Faith Here are 1. Reasons 2. Cautions 1. The fountaine must bee before the streame the roote before the fruit the cause before the effect but Faith leaning vpon Gods mercy manifested in the promise is the instrumentall cause of Repentance Hos. 6.1 Come let vs turne vnto the Lord for he hath smitten and he will heale The hope of Gods healing that is of forgiuenesse of sins is the ground of Repentance Psal. 130.4 Mercy is with thee that thou maist bee feared Which showeth that no man can lay hold vpon God to feare and reuerence him but hee that is perswaded of his fauour Two cannot walke together vnlesse they be friends and man neuer meeteth God in Repentance while he conceiueth God an enemy but runneth away from him as a strict Iudge Slauish feare bringeth not a man to God but loue which is a fruit of Faith for Faith worketh by loue therefore Faith is before Repentance 2. True Repentance is a sauing grace and euery sauing grace is from Christ. Iohn 15.4 No branch can beare fruit of it selfe vnlesse it abide in the Vine Euery penitent must therefore receiue Christ before the gift of Repentance and no receiuing of Christ but by the hand of Faith Iohn 11.12 therfore Faith must necessarily goe before Repentance 3. Repentance worketh directly vpon the heart to soften it to cleanse and purifie it Now in Repentance it is onely the bloud of Christ that can soften the hard heart as onely Goates bloud softeneth the hard Adamant It is onely the bloud of Christ that can purge the heart and conscience from defilements Heb. 9 14. Now would I know how wee can haue his bloud before himselfe or himselfe before Faith Nay therfore the Scripture applyeth the work of purging the heart to Faith Acts 15.9 because it is the instrument to lay hold on the bloud of Christ for our purging therefore Faith must be before Repentance 4. Repentance is the most acceptable of all good workes A contrite heart is aboue all Sacrifices therefore Faith must bee before it for 1. Whatsoeuer is before Faith is the issue only of corrupt nature and corrupt conscience and cannot please God 2. Without Faith it is impossible to please God Heb 11.6 for nothing is acceptable but in and for Christ and nothing in and for Christ but by Faith in Christ apprehending him Object This sheweth that Faith must goe with Repentance but not that Repentance is therefore before it Answ. The Apostle expresseth the same thing in another phrase which putteth Faith before it Rom. 14.10 Whatsoeuer is not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ex fide is sin If
Repentance so painefull as thou sayest first what paine would a man sustaine to auoid sicknesse of body losse of goods pouerty shame and shall not I be at paines to auoid eternal shame losse of soule and saluation 2 What infinite paines and sorrowes indured Christ for my saluation and what was his ayme in all that but to make rough waies smooth Esa. 42. and shall not I be at some paines for my selfe and what paines haue the Saints beene at in taking of the Kingdome by violence and apprehending life eternall through fire and water and infinite deaths and torments Is it not worth so much to mee as them 3 Is there no paines in going to hell in the diuels commandements in the seruice of sinne is there not more paines in committing than forsaking any sin See it in one sinne of vncleanenesse is there not more paines in contriuing his sinne wasting his body consuming his goods exposing himselfe to the shame of men to the punishment of the Magistrate to the iustice curse of God in body and soule than in forsaking his sinne and so in the rest 4 Is there no sorrow nor burden in the consequents of sinne is it no paines to haue a selfe-secret accusation a biting conscience a gnawing and vndying worme a sound of terror euer in the eares feare and flight when none pursue is there no basenesse in sinne to be a seruant and slaue â—o â—usts is there any slaue to the sinner that is ruled and hurried by the will of the diuell No Galley slaue but would breake from his chaines vijs modis 5 Were the pains of Repentance so difficult as thou sayest and intolerable yet the priuiledges and recompences of that pain are as great what sick man would not displease his tast with a bitter potion to recouer health and retaine his life the sufferings of this present life are not worthy the glory that shall be reuealed the moment any afâ—â—â—â—tions of this life cause a weight of eternall glory Resolue therefore of this paines and doe it betimes for if it be hard and difficult now will it be easier by delaying by despairing when thy sinne is stronger and thy selfe weaker An ague the more fits the more incurable a Beast the elder the more vntameable and sinne is a leauen the elder the sowâ—er and stronger Make not thy selfe more labour by sufferance of sin make an onset with courage as the hearty spyes Caleb Numb 13.31 and Ioshuâ— Numb 14.19 they are but bred for vs. 2 But indeed the worke of Repentance is not so painefull and sorrowfull as thou pretendest for is it not Christs yoke and is not Christs yoke easie and sweet and there be other things that make it sweet and easie being an Euangelicall commandement 1 The presence of grace which conquereth difficulties foyleth temptations 1. Ioh. 5. He that is borne of God ouercommeth the world for hee hath a grace sufficient for him I must not fixe mine eyes onely vpon mine owne resistance but on Gods assistance by whom I shall bee able to leape ouer all walles and impediments Psal. 119. I will run the way of thy commandements when thou hast inlarged my heart 2 The promise and donation of the spirit that we may walke in the way of Gods Commandements Ezek. 11.19 20. And I will put a new spirit in their bowels and take the stony heart away and giue them an heart of flesh that they may walke in my statutes and keepe my iudgements c. 1. Cor. 3. Where the spirit of GOD is there is liberty 3 Loue of grace and loue of God maketh euery thing sweet 1. Ioh. 5 and 8. This is the loue of God that we keepe his commandements his commandements are not grieuous Da amaÌ„tem sentit quid dico Aug. Loue of gaine maketh the Merchant refuse no aduentures of sea Loue of God makes Abraham offer his onely Isaac a difficult commandement Iacob loued Rachel and the seuen hard yeers of labour seemed to him a few dayeâ— The mother loueth the child and swalloweth all paines watchings and difficulties vnweariably Gods loue for vs made him vndertake many worse torments and sorrowes loue of Christ made the Martyres passe fire and flames and most exquisite torments with sweetnesse and pleasure as if they had been in beds of roses Loue of God is vnconquerable much water cannot drowne it Now is Sathan fully answered get Gods grace neare thee the presence of the spirit and loue of grace and downe shall all the barres and impediments the most difficult commandements shall be made easie CAP. 19. Le ts from Satans temptations from the vnprofitablenesse of our Repentance 2 TO bring vs to despaire of our Repentance to the impossibility or difficulty he will vrge the vnprofitablenesse of it What can thy Repentance doe being so slight so sinfull so vnworthy thou canst not looke to be perfect and how can God accept that which is so vnworthy and imperfect Besides dost not thou see many wicked men as Saul Esau Iudas gone farre beyond thee in bitter sorrow and shed farre more signes of Repentance than thou and yet all in vaine for they were reiected and damned Answ. This is a dangorous dart and must be wisely repelled 1 I grant my Repentance to be weake and vnworthy but I am taught in Gods Booke 1 That it is neither my Repentance nor worthinesse of it selfe that washeth away my sin or can satisfie Gods iustice for then it were indeed as thou sayest but it is the bloud of Iesus Christ that washeth away all sinne 1. Ioh. 1.7 and that reconciliation with God dependeth not vpon the quantity or merit of my Repentance but vpon the merit and vertue of Iesus Christ whom I a repentant sinner lay hold on for saluation My Repentance were it neuer so perfect can neither satisfie God nor iustifie me before God but onely testifie that I am a beleeuer prepared to receiue Christ and thankefully to accept him with his merits by ceasing to sinne against him 2 I find in the Scripture that as no man is accepted for his perfect Repentance so none is reiected for the imperfection of his Repentance if it be sound and vnfained for then it is a certain fruit of a liuely faith and so of the presence of Christ and of the life of God euen as the least bud or blossome appearing is a certaine demonstration of life in the roote God careth not how great but how true and sound our Repentance is not how much but how good he accepteth not for quantity but for quality yet where grace is found and right in quality it will euer striue to increase and abound still 3 Notwithstanding my Repentance be weake yet being an Euangelicall grace a mite is accepted a grayne hath his due weight a desire to repent a will for the deed a ready minde for performance a sorrow because I cannot sorrow these goe for godly sorrow and my faith getteth Christ
it flow not from Faith as the streame from the fountaine which in order of nature must be before 5. Before any thing can please God in a man the man himselfe the person must please him first Gen. 4. God accepted Abel and his sacrifice The new motion pleaseth God because it is from a new creature but first the person must be in Christ and then a new creature 2. Cor. 5.17 And first hee must be a beleeuer before he be in Christ God respecteth not opus externum but spiritum internum He looketh on no worke further than it is the worke of his spirit but the spirit is no where but in the sons of God Gal. 4.6 and no sons but by Faith in Christ Gal. 3.26 If therefore Repentance must be a worke and fruit of the spirit of God and that spirit bee in none but sons and none of them sons but by Faith in Christ therefore must Faith goe before Repentance yea before the Sonship it selfe 1. Both of them are wrought at one moment of time and in time are neither first nor last but in order of nature Faith as the cause is first and then Repentance 2. Faith is before compleat Repentance for some beginnings or preparations to Repentance goe in time before Faith namely legall fit◠and terrours of heart for sinne and these are sometimes called by the name of Repentance as a part by the name of the whole Math. 21.32 Yee were not moued with Repentance that ye might beleeue The ignorance of the meaning of the word Repentance in this place hath occasioned this idle scruple But the distinction of Legall and Euangelicall Repentance will fully satisfie it Legall which is a sorrow and terrour excited by the law and onely initiall and preparatory is before faith But Euangelicall which is sauing and compleat must haue faith before it for the former reasons Obiect But that which most troubleth is the setting of Repentance before faith as Mark. 1.15 Repent beleeue the Gospel Act. 20.21 Testifying to Iewes and Greekes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Answ. But they forget that the cause is set sometimes after the effect as 1. Tim. 1.5 Faith is set after a pure heart and yet it is Faith that purifieth the heart But it is as if he should haue said If you would get a pure heart get Faith so in these places Repent and that ye may doe so ye must first beleeue and so this transposition plainely ouerthroweth the conceit they build vpon it 3 The forme of Repentance is in turning or returning for by the sinne of our nature and practise wee haue turned our selues away from God cannot see his face and fauour towards vs. Now Repentance turneth vs backe againe the way that wee are gone from him And in this returne 1 The whole man must turn for the whole man is turned away and naturally and wholly euill Gen. 6. The imaginations of his heart are euill continually yea whole euill is in euery man euen the whole roote of sin and further than the restraint of speciall or common grace would produce all bitter and poysonfull fruits 2 He still turneth Repentance is a continued act of turning a Repentance neuer to bee repented of a turning neuer to turne againe to folly For 1 He hath euer something with him to turne from a flesh still resisting the spirit many temptations of Sathan many wicked fashions of the world 2 He can neuer get neere enough to God in this life nor euer turne so neare him as once he was and therefore hee must proceed on till he doe attaine Cap. 4. The tearmes of Repentance 1 Whence 2 Whither 4 THE tearmes from whence and whither a man must turne are first from all sinne secondly vnto God 1 The Scripture noteth Repentance to be a turning from wickednesse Act. 8.22 Repent if so be the wickednesse of thy heart may be forgiuen and from dead workes Heb. 6.2 It is called a ceasing to doe euill Isa. 1. The obiect of Repentance is all sinne not one or many but all sins The reasons are these 1 God calleth for repentance of all sinnes Colos. 3.8 Put away all these things 2 He hath shewed his readinesse to forgiue all sins except that against the holy Ghost but vpon this condition 3 We desire God to forgiue all iniquity and not leaue one vnforgiuen and therefore wee must leaue none vnforsaken 4 One sinne separateth from God as well as many one poyson killeth as well as many one hole sinketh the ship 5 Christ suffered for all sins as well as one he is the lambe of God that taketh away all the sinnes of the world if hee pay not the vttermost farthing wee neuer get out of prison 6 Mortification killeth all sinne and the vertue of Christs death in vs setteth vs against all sinne as well as any sinne and sanctification reduceth euery faculty to the first image one as well as another in which the whole man must be blamelesse for whatsoeuer is old must bee renewed 7 A day commeth when euery sinne shall be set in the open light if any one be vnrepented of that shall bee found with vs and laid vpon vs eternally Whence it must follow that euery true penitent 1 Setteth himselfe against great sinnes sinnes as red as scarlet of a deepe dye which euery one thinketh to repent of 2 Small sinnes defects and omissions common frailties secret euils Dauids cutting Sauls garment Iohn Hus his playing at Chesse for losse of his time and prouocation vnto anger 3 Sweet and friendly sins This streame of repentance is as the floud that drowned Noahs neere friends and seruants so it drowneth our nearest and most friendly sinnes And hereby thou hast a good note of sincerity Psal. 119.3 the vpright in the way doe no iniquity sincerity hateth all waies of falshood An hypocrite will strayne at comming into the common hall vpon the Preparation day but not at shedding the bloud of Christ. 2 Euer true Repentance carrieth a tender conscience which is as a tender eye that will water and finde the trouble of the least moate as a strait shooe cannot indure the least stone within it but will make him shrinke The second tearme to God for this we haue sundry 1 Commandements Ioel 2.12 Turne to the Lord Ier. 3.12 turn to me O disobedient Children Ier. 4.1 if thou returne then returne to me saith the Lord. 2 Examples Dauid Against thee against thee c. Ps. 51. The Prodigall will returne to his Father 3 Reasons first because wee haue sinned against him and turned not onely from him but against him Hos. 6.1 Sinne is a turning away from the chiefe good Repentance is a returning to the chiefe good 2 He will onely pardon sinne on this condition sinne is a running from God and into the hatred of God only Repentance is a returning into fauour and friendship with him 3 He is our first husband therefore let vs returne vnto him our first
these haue a loud voice to summon vs to daily Repentance for man suffereth for his sin and remoue the cause the effect will cease 4 We stand in need of daily blessings and new fauours and these call on vs to renue our Repentance daily for else our sins will hinder good things from vs either we must remoue them or they will remoue Gods mercies from vs and instead of blessings cast vs into perils and dangers euery moment For time Repentance is also the last duty of a Christan which hee must principally intend For. 1 All naturall motion is swifter to the Center and so supernaturall euery sound grace is most stirring at last and this especially because Sathan is most stirring in temptation and so in his last act is most troublesome and therefore Repentance must bee most busie in thrusting downe the last powers raised against it 2 In sicknesse sorrow and approach of death is great cause of sight sense and godly sorrow for sinne the mother of them Now is a time of humiliation mortification so that now the worst can dissemble a Repentance and therefore now true Repentance cannot but aboue all times shew it selfe 3 The lesse time that grace seeth it hath to worke in the more stirring and working it will be onely grieued that it hath not more and cannot more glorifie God and as friends parting when they take their last farewell they desire to take their fill one of another so the Saintâ— being to bid farewell to godly sorrow are willing to take their fill of it 4 What is it else thou wouldest haue thy Master finde thee doing at his comming but so doing and what else hath the promise of blessednesse what seruant else but hee whom the Master findeth so doing Now the way to doe it well at last is to exercise it well before hand else it will hardly and â—unglingly come off but what a man doth customably and habitually is done easily cunningly and comfortably Nothing but the dispatch of this businesse maketh life sweet and desirable Nothing else affordeth peace with God part in Christ quietnesse of conscience but the comsort of sound Repentance without any of which life is no better than death Nothing but this can allay the feares and bitternesse of death How can the euill seruant but feare to be called to accounts that hath neuer made them ready How can the condemned Pellon but feare the assizes who neuer looked after pardon But why should the soule feare to goe forth to God when it knoweth it is reconciled to him what need he feare sudden death who is euer prepared When a malefactor hath sued out his pardon let the assizes come when they will the sooner the better Neuer will that soule feare to goe to Christ that is in Christ nay it will desire it because it is best of all CAP. 11. Letâ—s of Repentance in respect of sinne THe second thing propounded to further the practise of Repentance is to remoue the lets and impediments which hinder men from the practise of it For The more excellent any duty or grace is the more difficulty there is in attaining it and Repentance being of all graces the first and leader wee must not thinke it easie to come by God seeing it in our nature lightly to set by things we easily come by hath set a price vpon his best blessings that wee might prize them and is not so prodigall of them as to cast them vpon sleepers and sloathfull persons that thinke them worth no paines nor labour And Sathan hangeth such weight on our corruption and by his policy and power so cloggeth and blocketh vp the way to this grace as very few are able and willing to incounter with so many Glants and Hydraes to vndertake so many Herculean labours and difficulties as hee must goe through that meaneth to goe through stitch with sound Repentance Though therefore men vnacquainted with repentance think it the easiest thing in the world an houres worke or dispatched with three words Lord haue mercy yet neuer any true Penitent found it so easie but the hardest taske in all the world and he that commeth in earnest to it must cast his costs and consider whether he bee able to drinke of this cup or no. We shall finde it no small labour to reckon discouer these hinderances and much lesse is he to finde it so that is to grapple with them conquer them These lets being so many may be prosecuted vnder four heads being cast in our waies either by sin or the world or satan or our selues 1 In respect of sin we haue sundry lets 1. loue of sinne 2. seeming profit 3. appearance of pleasure 4. a kinde of credit in sin 1. The loue of sin riseth from the nearnesse long acquaintance and familiarity with vs it being bred and born with vs at boord and bed with vs as neare and deare as our eies and hands vnto vs. And this disordered loue of sinne maketh vs hate and loath all meanes which might worke vs to dislike and forsake it So our Sauiour telleth vs Iohn 3.19 Men loue darkenesse because their deeds are euill This loue of darknesse of sinne maketh men loath the grace of Repentance Now to remoue this lett consider 1. To loue sin is to hate the Lord. Psal. 97.10 All yee that loue the Lord hate all that is euil therefore loue of euill will not stand with loue of God Euery grace is actiue against the contrary 2 To loue sin is to loue death Gen. 2.17 In the day thou sinnest thou shalt dye And to hate his own soule Pro. 8.35 He that sinneth against mee hateth his owne soule And all that hate me loue death Pro. 11.19 3 A child of God cannot but hate his owne sin he hateth the euill he doth and is far from allowing himselfe in it Rom. 7. Yea abhorreth himselfe in dust and ashes for his sinne Iob. 42.6 4 Yea we shall find all the affections of the godly set against sin 1 His sorrow is chiefly for his sin Wee read not that Peter euer wept so bitterly for any suffering as he did for his sin nothing is so contrary to godly sorrow as sinfull ioy 2 His feare watcheth against sinne and flyeth sinne as a serpent yea the occasion and appearance of it 3 His shame is most for his sin The Publican is ashamed to looke towards heauen and the Prodigall ashamed to look to his fathers house 5. Grace wheresoeuer it is resolueth against all sin voweth against all he will work no iniquitie Psal. 119.2 he will with full purpose of heart cleaue vnto the Lord he renueth a daily purpose of not sinning of banishing sin and conquering it 2 In sin is a seeming profit which the sinner is loath to let go The Vsurer will not part from his gainful and vnlawfull trade the Buyer and Seller will not lay aside their oathes and lyes their sleights and deceits by false wares weights lights
to supply the rest Thus the Christian is to be fortified against the weakenesse of his Repentance 2 Thou sayest many wicked men haue gone farre in desperate sorrowes I care not how far they goe beyond me therein but that is farre from godly sorrow both in the nature of it and in the acceptance of it My sorrow is for God offended for God loued for himselfe my sorrow is from God and goeth to God againe theirs was not a seeking of God but of themselues my teares of sorrow haue a washing and cleansing vertue so not theirs my sorrow is as a soaking raine which hath wet the very rootes of my heart so not theirs And for acceptance they haue no promise to be accepted in their desperate sorrow but I haue a promise that my humiliation ioyned with faith and reformation shall bee accepted in Christ in whom my person is accepted CAP. 20. Le ts from Satans temptation from our relapses 3 BVt seest thou not that for all thy Repentance thou fallest againe into the same sins which hadst thou truely repented thou shouldest neuer haue done what good doth thy washing who forgettest that thou wast washed True repentance is a Repentance neuer to bee repented of as thine is Ans. To turn to sin as a dogge to the vomit and as a swine to the wallowing after washing is a dangerous case but not hopelesse and desperate And howsoeuer it is not ordinary for the child of God to fall diuers times into the same grieuous sins yet notwithstanding some comfort here belongs to troubled consciences But let no presumptuous sinners meddle with it 1. Godly men are the same men after sinne and repentance that they were before beset with the same infirmities and no more priuiledged from error than before 2. Experience sheweth not only subiect to the same infirmities daily but often taken in the same snares as wandring thoughts idle speeches distractions in prayer negligence and too much vnprofitablenesse in hearing rash anger with many daily omissions whereof who can cleare himselfe so long as he carrieth the causes of daily fayling about him as 1. Ignorance Many know not many sins to bee sins as the Patriarches knew not Poligamy to be sinne 2. Weakenesse of grace A childe of God for weakenesse may get many fals to day and rise againe and as many to morrow and rise againe yea and if he hurt himselfe and cannot rise himselfe his father will help him vp 3. Inconsideratenesse and not attending his way watch A man in haste may take diuers fals and many slips so as if often falling into the same sin did exclude from Grace or barred vs of pardon we were all hopelesse 3. Relapse doth not alwaies argue former Repentance to bee vnsound because 1. Repentance is an effectuall instrument to seale vp forgiuenesse of former transgressions but not a fence from all force of sin for time to come 2. soundest Repentance of all doth not wholly abolish and take away sin but abateth weakeneth and lesseneth it 4. The article of remission of sins excepteth not relapses because the promise of remission doth not except them neither is the vertue of Christs merit to bee restrained to sins once committed but to all sinnes truly repented 5. Many examples of Saints in Scripture raised from relapses giue comfort in this Temptation Lot was twice ouercome with wine Marie the Virgin twice checkt of Christ for curiositie Iohn twice worshipped the Angell 6. True it is that relapse into a disease is more dangerous than the first assault yet proper physicke seasonably applied may cure the relapse as well as the first disease Repentance is Christs Physicke and so soueraigne as cannot be foyled by relapses into the same disease Whence wee are commanded to renew our Repentance daily as we renew our sins and the Physitian is as able to cure the same disease as he was before And yet we hold the rule of Isidore Non poenitens est qui adhuc agit quod poenitet id est if hee doe it both actu and proposito but if hee sincerely purpose against all sin and keepe aliue his zeale hatred against that hee doth this preiudiceth not his former Repentance But as he did truly run that now sitteth down so did hee truely repent that sinneth againe against his purpose and sincere intention of his heart CAP. 21. From Sathans Temptation to presumption that our sinnes are not many nor great 3. IF Sathan cannot driue men off Repentance by engines of despaire he assayeth if he can make them presumptuous of mercie without serious Repentance He knoweth the truth of that of Augustine Tam sperando quam desperando pereunt homines and that despaire hath slain his thousands but presumption his ten thousands And euery deceitfull heart is like a deceiuing Prophet that cryeth Peace peace when sword and danger is the nearest For this purpose he vseth three maine arguments 1. Perswadeth the sinner his sins are not many nor great 2. But if they bee Christ hath dyed for the sins of the world 3. God is so mercifull as hee will not condemne them for them 1. It is a wonder that a man looking vpon his sins should presume but that such must be giuen vp to strong delusions to beleeue lyes that will not receiue the truth in the loue of it and lye vnder that heauie stroak of Gods iustice to bee giuen vp to the waies of his owne heart which is to wander in the paths of death But against this Temptation know that there is not a more certaine propertie of a wicked man to know himselfe by than by allowing himselfe in the lessening and mincing of his sinne for it is an issue of the loue of sin that will not bee warned of the deceitfulnesse neither of sin nor of his own heart 1. Here is a man wofully deluded by the Diuell who hath turned the wrong end of the prospectiue to his eye wherin things as huge as mountaines castles seeme as small as mole-hils And is it not iust seeing he will not beleeue God who telleth him that the least sin separateth and is a partition wall betweene God and him maketh him the child of wrath shutteth heauen openeth hell killeth soule and bodie What perswasion could make this man beleeue that a stab at heart would not kil him because a small pricke 2 A man is befooled by himselfe who neither knoweth Gods waies nor desireth to know them but entertaineth wilfull obiections against the meanes of knowledge and couereth himselfe with questions whether his sins be sinnes You haue not yet proued saith hee my vsury to bee sin nor fashions of apparrell to be sin nor drinking healths to excesse and inflammation to be sin nor to doe this and that on the Sabboth in ciuilitie to bee sinne all this while the sinne is kept close and warme and is none of the greatest because they are not resolued But are not these of the number of those of whom Peter
vers 31. Then shall you remember your owne wickednesse and your deedes which were not good and iudge your selues worthy to be destroyed for your sinnes therefore shal the house of Israel be ashamed and confounded for your owne waies vers 31. 2 This remembrance of former sinnes though pardoned preserueth and bloweth vp the embers and keepeth aliue godly sorrow in the soule Zach. 12.10 The looking on him whom wee haue pierced exciteth all that haue receiued the spirit of grace and compassion to mourne for him as their first borne Peter remembring what himselfe had done and his master had said went out and wept bitterly Hereby our Repentance is renewed daily and the wound made bleed afresh 3 As it is our happinesse that God once pardoning our sinnes forgetteth them and neuer remembreth them more so it is a signe and way of our happinesse that our selues forget them not but hold them before the eye of our mindes to containe vs in constant humiliation for them 2 He will aggrauate his sin when he beholdeth it hee will excuse none extenuate none he will not mince nor hide any as Adam nor cast it off himselfe vpon others shoulders as Saul The people did it But he weigheth his sinnes in a true ballance which hath shewed none of them to be light he will put in so many weights as to bring him to a iust humiliation If his sins be of a bloudy dye his heart shall bleed with godly sorrow If they haue beene sinnes of knowledge and after illumination or after admonition or with vehemence or repetition or in hatefull manner with cursing and swearing as Peters was Oh this will bring backe bitter sorrow brinish teares here is cause to weepe bitterly If his sins haue beene old sins as old sores and festers long continued in and liued in till the eleuenth or twelfth houre the longer and more painefull will be the cure the more willing will hee be to open them and content to haue them handled If they haue beene committed in foule circumstances as to haue beene drunke or disordered on the Sabbaoth day to be rude or irreligiously disposed in the Church vnder the eye of God to run ryot against good counsell against the directions of the Word and motions of the spirit the fouler the sinne the deeper will be the sorrow But if they haue beene after Repentance vowes promises after fasting prayer now the weight increaseth marueilously vpon the soule A good heart will hardly thinke any Repentance enough for such sinne Farre from true Repentance is that false heart that is more ashamed to confesse sin than to commit it and in confession doth it in the grosse and lumpe with excuses and extenuations and in making shew of sorrow is as a cloud without raine soone blowne ouer he hath neuer a teare of godly sorrow for foulest sinnes or if any too soone dryed away He that can plead for his sin and defend bad actions with faire pretences as Saul saueth the fat against the commandement for sacrifice that can rob God and his Ministers of their right pretending a reach of wisedome or publike care beyond all others that can plead for their vsury a practise of charity as doing as they would be done to their iniustice and false arts in trading because they doe as others doe and else they cannot liue or their non-residency because of their charge or a way to preferment all these and all others that hold vp bucklers for their sins neuer yet knew what Repentance meant In a word he that can please himselfe in the remembrance of his sinne that can glory how he hath ouer-reached his brother which is ordinary in trading that can reioyce in the pleasure or profit gotten by sinne is farre from Repentance A good heart the more pleasing or profitable any sinne hath beene wil lament so much the more 3 He hateth and shunneth all sinne euery where This indignation and bitter hatred against sinne is made a fruit and note of true repentance 2. Cor. 7.11 Can. 5.4 See how the Church rated her selfe for her folly and vnkindnesse against Christ and no maruaile For 1 If we look at God he hateth all sin with a deadly hatred and all that loue the Lord must hate all that is euill And the more a man conceiueth God his friend the lesse friendly can he be to his sin and the more fauour a man expecteth from God the lesse can he fauour any sin 2. If hee looke at his sin he seeth it a serpent and hateth it though the sting be gone by a spirituall and gracious Antipathy And now the league being broken he will neuer be friends any more with it but in anger as Ephraim to his Idols say Get thee hence what baue I more to do with you 3. If he looke on sinne in the euills it hath formerly wrapped him in he cannot but shunne feare and fly it A burnt childe dreadeth the fire A man once stung with an Adder will fly from all Serpents A man that hath felt the paines of broken bones by his fals will feare to fall and looke better to his feet An impenitent person may forbeare to sweare but a true conuert feareth an oath Eccles. 9 So he feareth to breake the Sabbath is affraid of couetousnes worldlinesse drunkennesse profanenesse and other sins and this not in respect of his owne skin only but in respect of God now reconciled vnto him Euen as a deare Wife feareth to offend her louing Husband to whom she was lately married 4. Hee resisteth and holdeth fight against all sin euen those that he cannot conquer he combateth against As Iacob said of the people of the â—and after the slaughter of the Sichâ—mites Now will they hate vs and therfore will raise their powers against vs to destroy vs euen so a godly heart hating sin will rayse all his power against it to destroy the whole bodie of sin wil reuenge vpon it as his capitall enemie A Subiect that hath taken vp armes against his Prince and Countrey and gone out in rebellion with rebels and traytors if once hee come to see his offence on the one side and the Princes clemencie on the other pardoning his offence and sauing his life cannot chuse but hold himselfe extraordinarily bound to resist all such rebels euen while he liueth This is the case of euery Christian who hauing run with his rebellious lusts fighting against the crown and dignitie of Iesus Christ but now graciously pardoned cannot but stand stoutly against them And this cannot be other but where flesh is and spirit the spirit will bee lusting against the flesh Wheresoeuer these twins are conceaued this Iacob and Esau will struggle in the wombe and Rebecca shall feele the striuing within her whereas the barren and fruitlesse wombe which neuer receiued the seed of God feeleth no such strugling 5. Hee relinquisheth his sin in true endeauour and neuer returneth to it any more for true Repentance is neuer repented
custody of their Watch and therefore though sometimes he may nod sleepe yet his heart waketh Cant. 5.3 2 He strengtheneth himselfe with a diligent care to prosper in grace and grow daily to perfection Phil. 3.12 Hee hath not yet attained but striueth To which end 1 He listeneth heedfully to the silent and secret motions of the spirit to cherish and foster them 2 Hee waiteth vpon the meanes and ministery as Mary sitteth downe at the feet of Christ with humility and constancy as that gesture implyeth and seeketh and apprehendeth all occasions of good 3 He obserueth and carefully vndertaketh good duties to which he is directed and indeauoureth to performe them in an holy manner with cheerefulnesse and wisedome and to a good end sincerely ayming at Gods glory and the saluation of himselfe and others And as hee must needs thriue who in a gainefull trade is diligent to apprehend all good opportunities so in this gainfull trade of godlinesse it is the diligent hand that maketh rich and in euery labour is abundance whereas the idle person quickly wasteth his stock and commeth to nothing 3 He strengtheneth himselfe with spirituall armour and weapons of Gods making against temptations assaults persecutions stormes and all kinde of resistances he knoweth the enemies are many their malice restlesse and inappeasable and therfore he hath need to stand as the Iewes in building the wall of Ierusalem with the trowell in the one hand and the sword of the spirit in the other And 2 Hauing had experience of the safety and strength in this armour of proofe he is carefull to put it on and keepe it on being well assured that he cannot be hurt but onely in the want or carelesse vse of it 4 He prepareth himselfe by daily exercise of Repentance for Christs appearing Acts 17.31 God admonisheth euery man to repent because he hath appointed a day And this exercise is in these things 1 Hee looketh for his head and in the meane time comforteth himself as a member which must be of the same nature and qualities if the head be a liuing spirituall holy gratious head so must the member Our head admitteth no rotten gangrenous and incurable member 2 He feareth God because of the great day of his wrath which commeth Reuel 14.7 Being stricken with a reuerend feare he shunneth euery sinne yea euery idle word whereof he must giue account 3 He cleareth himselfe from sin daily because as the day of death leaueth him so that day of iudgement findeth him he prepareth himselfe by doing that daily which he would be found doing on his dying day his care is not onely to bee found blamelesse but wel-doing Blessed is that seruant whom his Master â—indeth so doing 4 He getteth and keepeth a good conscience before God and all men thus he prepareth an Arke for himselfe to sit safe in Well he knoweth that the sentence of the great Iudge at that day shall concurre with the sentence of this little inward Iudge 5 Because the sentence of that day shall be passed according to the soundnesse of faith and fruits his daily care is to get oyle into his lampe and light of shining and sauing graces and holy duties which onely admit him into the Bridegroome chamber Thus he prepareth his reckoning daily and fitteth his account that he may giue it vp with ioy 6 He longeth and sigheth and waiteth to put off all corruption of sinne and misery and put on fulnesse of grace ioy and glory Rom. 8.23 we sigh in our selues 2. Cor 5.4 We sigh and are burdened to be cloathed vpon and loue to remoue out of the body and to dwell with the Lord chap. 8.2 The Spirit saith come and the Bride saith come Reuel 22.17 These are the true characters of sound Repentance which euery Beleeuer shall finde in himselfe in some comfortable measure CAP. 38. Motiues to Repentance first from the necessity of it THe fifth and last generall is the motiues to excite vs to this so necessary a duty of Repentance The first of these motiues shal be out of the Text which inforceth the necessitie of RepentaÌ„ce Except yee Repent yee shall perish This will appeare if we looke on sinne vnrepented 1 In the nature of euery one being first a worke of the flesh which to doe is to dye The wages of sin is death Rom. 6.23 If ye liue after the flesh ye shall dye Rom. 8.13 And the end of these things is death Rom. 6.21 And when we were in the flesh the motions of sin which were by the law had force in our meÌ„bers to bring forth fruit vnto death Rom. 7.5 2 Euery sinne separateth from God the fountaine of life and so slayeth vs holdeth all good things from vs Isay. 59.2 3 Euery sinne vnrepented fighteth against the soule 1. Pet. 2.11 Lusts warre against the soule and wound it with many deadly gashes Paul telleth Timothy that they drowne the soule in perdition 1. Tim. 6.9 4 Euery sinne putteth vs vnder the power of the diuell and so in state of perdition 1. Ioh. 3.8 He that committeth sinne is of the diuell and maketh vs resemble the diuell and the impenitent person is said to be in the snare of the diuell taken at his will 2. Tim. 2.10 5 Euery sinne vnrepented shutteth heauen Gal. 3. â—2 They that doe shoh things shall not inherit the kingdome of heauen and God hath sworne that neuer an impenitent sinner shall enter into his rest 2 Looke on sinne in the inseparable companions and effects of it 1 The wrath of God as a fire kindled burning to the bottome of hell Psal. 7.12 God is angry with the wicked euery day and raineth downe on the head of the sinner stormes and haile and shooteth all the arrowes of reuenge out of his quiuer How did he lay about him and cast out his curses as thicke as haâ—le vpon the first sinne committed against the serpent the woman the man the earth and all about him 2 This wrath hath linked as with an iron chaine sinne and punishment together which goe inseparably as the cause and the effect as the body and the shadow as the worke and the wages as the parent and the childe one begetting another heauy and smart is the rod that is prepared for the fooles backe and thou canst not goe on in sin but vnto punishment 3d. Effect Gods iustice requireth that as a man soweth so he must reape Gal. 6.7 Sinne is the seed of wrath and the haruest of the sinner is proportioned to his seed time Iob 4.8 I haue seene that they that plow iniquity sow wickednesse reape the same If thou sowest iniquity thou must reape affliction Pro. 22.8 He that soweth to the flesh must reape corruption Look not to reape wheate if thou sowest tares euery seed bringeth vp his owne kinde sow the winde and reape the whirlewinde Hos. 8.7 4 There is no way in the world to auoid this wrath and iustice but Repentance for first to
remoue the crosse wee must remoue sinne remoue the cause the effect will cease a folly it is to thinke that fire will dye of it selfe while it lurketh in matter combustible no more can the fire of Gods wrath kindled in such seuerity secondly no Repentance no remission no forsaking of sinne no forgiuenesse of sin God can powre none of his mercy into thee till thou by conuersion become a vessell of mercy and therfore let me perswade â—s Ezek. 18.30 Returne and cause others to returne from all iniquities if you would not haue iniquity to be your destruction No waters but of Repentance can quench the fire of wrath kindled no other fountaine is opened to Ierusalem for sinne Zach. 12.1 CAP. 39. Motiues to Repentance in regard of God THe second Motiue If we looke towards GOD wee want no incitements to Repentance as 1 Without Repentance wee haue nothing to doe with God no fellowship no society two cannot walke together vnlesse they be friends without Repentance we are without God as rebels gone out in rebellion against their Prince and country 1. Ioh. 3.6 Whosoeuer sinneth hath not seene God nor knoweth him Ephes. 2.12 Of all naturall men it is said that they are aliens and strangers without Christ without hope without God in the world Onely by Repentance we are gathered into God againe An impenitent person is in no other request with GOD than an Heathen or Atheist 2 In God wee may behold a strict iustice and vnauoidable Let a world of sinners combine against God it shall bee washed away with waters of wrath that would not wash themselues in the teares and waters of Repentance Let a world of Angels sinne against God those mighty and glorious creatures cannot make their party good against this iustice but shall bee cast into perpetuall chaines of blacke darkenesse Let Ionah a godly man sinne against God and runne another way neither shall the ship nor the Mariners skill nor toyle saue him from the tempest Oh then shall I goe on in sin to dare this iustice shall I by an heart hardened not knowing Repentance heape vp wrath against the day of wrath Did not I obserue the Angell powring out vials of wrath on them that repented not of their workes Reuel 16.11 Hath not this iustice appointed a day wherein he will iudge the world by Iesus Christ and should not this admonish me to hasten my Repentance Acts 17.30 3 In God we behold an ocean of mercies which mercies of God should leade vs to Repentance Rom. 2 4. and shall we let them lye by vs as things we make no vse of whereas euery mercy should be a Sermon of Repentance But let vs see how this mercy inuiteth vs. 1 He hath proclaimed himselfe mercifull gracious one that repenteth him of our euill that we should repent of our owne ready to forgiue nay comming out to meet vs vpon our returne as the Father of the Prodigall one that wooâ—th and seeketh and calleth vs Turne yee turne ye why will yee dye 2. His mercie hath made many mercifull promises but only to the repenting sinner are they made and made good And indeed God neither can nor wil be mercifull to any but penitent sinners While thy rebellions increase how can I be mercifull vnto thee how can I spare thee for these things Ier. 5.7 And for his will Deut. 29.20 God will not bee mercifull to such a man Wouldst thou feed sauourly vpon the promises of this life or a better thou must season them all with the sharpe sauce of Repentance and godly sorrow to which they are all inteyled Only on condition thou turn to the Almighty thou shalt bee built vp and lay vp gold as dust Iob 22.23 If thou cease to doe euill and learne to do well thou shalt haue thy sins washed and eate the good things of the land Esay 1. 3. This mercy repelleth no penitent sinner but receiueth the greatest sinners vpon return Esay 1.18 Wash you cleanse you then if your sins were red as scarlet they shall be white as snow No sins can foyle this mercie The poor penitent Theefe was not despised nor the poor Woman called a great sinner when she powred teares vpon Christ hee condemned not the poore Woman deprehended in the act of adulterie standing penitently before him nor reiected the Disciple that denied and reiected him nor the Persecutor of the Disciples the Oppresâ—or of the Church but receiuâ—d him to mercie 1. Tim. 1.13 〈◊〉 will hee shut the doore to thee repenting that opened it to these 4. Sinnes against mercy cast the sinner into seueritie of iustice sins against the remedie bring miseries remedilesse Oh that we were wise to say Shall I sin against such mercy hath the Lord done me all this good in my soule body in my selfe and mine in outward mercies and inward for this life and a better that I should repay him euill for good loade him with daily sins for lading me with blessings daily Why haue not we the vnderstanding of men in vs to conceiue that our mercy to our sins preuenteth Gods mercy to our soules shall a seruant the kinder the Master is be so much the more carelesse to prouoke him Did Ioseph reason so Would we brooke it at our seruants hand Will God at ours A graciouâ— heart will conclude as Psal. 130.4 Mercy is with thee that thou mayest bee feared Let me by these mercies of God beseech you to giue vp your selues vnto him 4. Looke vpon God in all his ordinances wherein are offers of greatest mercie and sanctified as blessed meanes of attaining the whole grace reuealed by the Gospell without Repentance they are not onely vnprofitable but most hurtfull yea and damnable The Word which I speak saith Christ shall iudge you at the last day speaking to the impenitent Iewes The sweet tydings of the Gospell are a sauour of death to this man The word will take hold on the impenitent person one time or other Zach. 1.4 The Sacraments doe him no good but mischiefe that by impenitencie casteth poyson into the Lords cup. 1. Cor. 11.26 He eateth and drinketh his owne damnation euen the Lords table is a snare to a wicked man The guest that came into the Supper without the wedding garment heard the dolefull sentence Take him binde him hand and foot c. His prayers are abominable so long as he turneth his eare from hearing the Law Prov. 18. Psal 66. If I regard wickedness in my heart God will not heare my prayer Isay 1.15 When you stretch your hands I will hide mine eyes from you and though you make many prayers I will not heare for your hands are full of blood Neuer say Lord Lord if thou doe not his Commandement His whole profession is hatefull Psal. 50. What hast thou to do to take my word in thy mouth hatest to be reformed 5. Looke vpon God in the throne of his glory who would not enioy the glory of God in heauen who professeth
know their appointed time Ierem. 8.7 and should not grace teach men to repent while they liue Obiect Yes God forbid but we should but when dying day commeth c. Answ. Wouldest thou repent on thy dying day why then not euery day of thy life seeing euery day may be thy dying day and why doth thy folly not esteeme it so 1. Pet. 1.17 2 The time of necessity is the whole time of our life the whole life being but one day of Repentance and ought to bee begun continued and concluded with Repentance This Generall we will take asunder into these propositions 1 The first thing a Christian must doe is to Repent 1 Looke at God his commandement is First seeke the Kingdome of God To day heare his voyce Psal. 95.7 Exhort one another while it is called to day Heb. 3.13 Eccles. 12.1 2 His spirit will bee more grieued to morrow and stand further from our helpe and comfort and the more he is grieued the hardlier will he be intreated 3 His patience is more abused by refusing the meanes of our Repentance this day by slighting his voyce calling vs his stretching out his hand this day offering grace and by not listening to the knockes and raps at the doore of our hearts 4 His wrath will be more increased by the increase of our sin this day before to morrow and being prouoked may iustly giue vp the sinner to a heart that cannot repent Were it not iust that seeing he calleth and they will not heare that either hee should be dumbe and neuer call hereafter or God deafe neuer to heare thee call If thou that wilt not repent at Gods call and command should not finde Repentance to bee at thy call and command liue forgetfull of God and dye forgetfull of thy selfe 2 Looke at our selues and see if Repentance had not need bee thy first taske For 1 Before Repentance a man is an euill tree and an euill tree can bring no good fruit thou canst not pray nor be heard in prayer thou canst not heare nor receiue Sacraments but to damnation nor performe any duty of piety or charity acceptably till thou hast repented If thou hast any thing to doe with God or any expectation from him thou must first wash and cleanse thy selfe and then come and reason with him Isa. 1. 2 If thou beest not apt or willing to repent to day thou wilt be lesse apt to morrow for the heart will be more hardened the conscience more seared the will more crooked the conuersion more difficult corruption more rooted by continuance the nayle haâ—der driuen in the soule more deadly stung thy selfe furre weaker to get out of silme in all which regards thou canst not vndertake Repentance too soon 3 Look vpon sin and whether we had not need deale with it at first for sinne is like fire set into our house to burne vs vp who but a mad man would not bestir himself with all speed to quench it in the first sparke or breaking out before it be increased to a great slame should we not be as carefull for our soules as for out houses It is morbus natura wee are wise to take our bodily diseases in hand betime because the medicine is prepared too late when the disease hath preuailed by continuance It is the plague of the soule for which the Physitians prescribe 2 Sin by continuance groweth more in number and more in strength it is still ingendring and groweth more fruitfull one sin is a linke to another drawing that and one sin must maintaine another Ahab must maintaine his couetousnesse by murther Gehesiâ— one by another Dauid his adultery by murther Solomon from carnall whoredome to spirituall Herod maintaining incest must cut off Iohns head Sinne groweth stronger after the birth and as a plant of the diuels planting Take it when it is new set it may be plucked vp easily but let it grow to a tree no strugling can plucke it vp nor many blowes strike it downe Sin is strong in the cogitation stronger in affection most in action and heart 4 Looke vpon Repentance and there is a twofold Repentance that is seldome true 1 Late Repentance for then commonly sin leaueth vs not we sin and when Repentance liueth not with vs commonly it dyeth with vs and what thanke is it to leaue the world when the world leaueth him and casteth him off When weakenesse hindereth him to sinne wee must thanke his weakenesse not him saith Basil. 2 Forced Repentance when men in distresse of body or mind or feare of death pretend a Repentance will promise pray vow or doe any thing but the feare is scarce ouer but so is their Repentance then returneth the vncleane spirits with seauen worse than himselfe and now running from God God is gone further off than before and a thousand to one neuer returneth againe O therefore is the delay so dangerous is neither the day of thy life nor the day of grace certaine is the present day late enough may the next day be too late how darest thou cast thy Repentance into thy last accounts which ought to be the first worke of euery Christian how darest thou deferre it beyond this day and hazzard to lose that in one moment which can neuer be hoped or gayned afterward Let euery eye behold Christ mourning ouer him as ouer Ierusalem Oh that thou haddest in this day knowne the things of thy peace but these things are hid from thine eyes A wise man may slippe or fall into a pit but he is a mad man that will not rise out againe 2 As Repentance must be the first so it must be the constant and daily exercise of euery Christian who must esteeme his whole life a continuall Repentance We sweepe our houses euery day but the houses of our hearts haue more need because of the soyle and dust of our daily infirmities Our hands haue daily need of washing our hearts much more 2 As the bloud runneth through all the veines and is necessary to carry life and spirit through all the parts so Repentance must run through all the occasions of the day all which call vs to repent For 1 We are bound to the daily sacrifice and seruice of God which cannot be performed without Repentance Come before God without Repentance all is one as if thou cut off a dogs head or offer swines flesh 2 Our daily failing cals vs to daily repentance we goe ouer daily frailties many yeelding to temptations many rouing thoughts idle speeches many sinfull actions of bad and scandalous examples many secret sins not easily found out many sinfull defects cleauing to our best duties euery one of these call vs to a constant practise of Repentance in examination confession watchfulnesse mortification c. 3 Many are the daily troubles of our callings many afflictions meete vs many crosses befall vs in our family in our estate in our friends many afflictions vpon the Church and land we heare of euery of