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
Church while they were in it 1. Ioh 2.19 They went out from vs because they were not of vs. Am I then a friend of Christ that I may be sure Christ dyed for me 1 If I be a friend I am a beleeuer Abraham beleeued God and was called the friend of God Iames 2.23 He dyed for no vnbeleeuer I must be a beleeuer or he dyed not for me Rom. 3.25 God set forth his Sonne to be a reconciliation through faith in his bloud 2 Am I a friend◠〈◊〉 must doe whatsoeuer Christ commandeth me Ioh. â—1 14 Ye are my friends if ye doe whatsoeuer I command you A seeming friend as Herod may doe many things but a sound friend will doe all things euen difficult and costly commandements If he bid me repent and returne I must obey 3 A friend must bee glad of anâ— opportunity 〈◊〉 shew his friendship and loue so must I. Prou. 3.28 Say not to thy friend I will answer thee to morrow if now it be in thy power If Christ thy friend call thee to Repentance this day deferre him not till to morrow for then it may be out of thy power to shew thy friendship 4 He dyed onely for those that manifest the fruit of his death 1. in the daily conquest and abolition of sinne hee dyed for my sinne that 〈◊〉 might dye vnto sinne and sinne dye in mee Rom. 6.2 How can they that are dead to sinne yet liue in it If sinne neuer dye in thee Christ neuer dyed for thee thou art still vnder the curse of sinne that art vnder the power of it if thou beest not redeemed from vaine conuersation thou art not from condemnation of sinne 2 I must daily finde the work of Sathan destroyed in me for by death he destroyed him that had the power of death which is the diuell Heb. â— 14 If Sathan rule thee still at his will and hold thee vnder the dominion of sinne thou hast no benefit by Christs deaths 3 If Christ be dead for mee I must manifest the obedience of faith another fruit of his death Heb. 5.9 He is the Author of saluation to all that obey him not to any that continue in sinne 4 I must henceforth liue to him that dyed for me 2. Cor. 5.15 and he dyed for those who whether they sleepe or wake liue or dye liue in him and for him 1. Thes 5.10 that is are partakers of his life and liue to his glory CAP. 23. Presumption of Gods mercy hindering Repentance Obiect 3 BVt is not God mercifull who will not the death of a sinner and therefore what needest thou so continually afflict and macerate thy selfe by Repentance Answ. Yes Gods mercy is a boundlesse Ocean which can neuer be drawne dry and he is mercifull to all euen the worst and vessels of wrath But first distinguish of Gods mercy it is either generall whereby he saueth man and beast and maintaineth the creature in a temporall being thus he feedeth the Sparrowes and cloatheth the Lillies thus he is the Sauiour of all men especially of them which beleeue 1. Tim 4.10 For that place is meant of his generall prouidence Or secondly there is a speciall sauing mercy which tendeth to eternal life whereby he tendereth men as a father Now herein hee is mercifull to the worst in offering this mercy by Christ and proclaiming it in the Preaching of the Gospell But they are content with the other without this This speciall mercy is not cast as a musse vnto all 2 Let not Sathan delude thee by offering an vnlimited mercy where God hath bounded it For that mercy which in God knoweth no bounds in respect of persons is bounded and limited according to the couenant of grace and mercy as appeareth in two conclusions 1 There be sundry sorts of impenitent sinners to whom the Lord couenanteth no mercy but wrath As 1 Ignorant persons who care not for the knowledge of God Isa 27.11 This people hath no vnderstanding and therefore he that made them will not be mercifull vnto them and 2. Thes. 1 8. Rendring vengeance in flaming fire to all that know not God 2 Hard hearted persons that will not repent Rom. 9.18 Hee will haue mercy on whom hee will and whom he will he hardeneth implying that hardened persons are shut from mercy Rom. 2. Thou that by the hardnesse of thy heart treasurest wrath 3 Wilfull and stubborne persons against the Ministery and counsels of the word Ier. 16.5 Mourne not for this people for I haue taken my peace from it euen my mercy and my compassion why verse 1â— For euery one walketh in the stubbornenesse of his heart and will not heare mee and therefore I will shew you no grade 4 Presumptuous sinners who say I shall haue peace though I walke on in sinne God will not be mercifull to that man Deut. 29.30 but the wrath of the Lord and his iealousie shall smoake against that man and all the curses in the booke of God shall ouertake him Onely vessels of mercy are filled with mercy for saluation or sauing mercy is not so prodigally bestowed being childrens bread but on such aâ— are qualified and pointed out in the Scripture by sundry markes 1 All that must share in this mercy must be true members of the Church Isay. 63.7 I will remember the great mercies of the Lord and goodnesse towards the house of Israel which he hath giuen them of his tender loue Am I a true Israelite a sonne of Abraham according to the faith Doe I lay about mee for the blessing as Israel did Doe I wrastle it out with God by prayer and doe I preuaile for mercy and grace Am I circumcised in the heart and daily part from sinnes and lusts 2 All that must share in mercy must be repentant sinners God would haue all saued but so as they must first come to the knowledge of the truth 1. Tim. 2.4 But this they cannot doe without Repentance 2. Tim. 2.25 If at any time God will giue Repentance that they may come to acknowledgement of the truth Ezek. 33.11 God will not the death of a sinner but rather that he repent and liue 3 Mercy is intailed onely to such as loue God and keepe his commandements second Command Exod. 20.6 He sheweth mercy to thousands of them that loue him and keepe his Commandements for God is in couenant with no other and vessels of wrath cannot looke to be filled with mercy yet this sheweth not the cause of Gods mercy for there is none in vs and it is a free grace but onely sheweth the persons that may claime it Doe I loue God All externall obedience without inward loue is hypocrisie Loue is the fountaine of obedience And doe I keepe the Commandements I cannot fulfill them but doe I keepe them in my vnderstanding meditation affection in true purpose and indeauour in my whole conuersation then mercy is mine 4 Mercy belongeth to such onely as feare to offend God and liue in
p. 216 Answer to this Temptation ibid. c. Cap. 22. 2. The Diuell labours to perswade men Christ dyed for all p. 220 That obiection answered ibid. c. Cap. 23. 3. The Deuill perswades men that God is mercifull and therefore they neede not so trouble themselues with repentance p. 230 Answer to this temptation p. 231 c. Cap. 24. Of the lets of Repentance from our selues which we cast in our owne way p. 239 1. A conceit wee haue that repentance is harsh and vnpleasing to nature ibid. Helps against this let 240 Cap. 25 2. Of the second let wee hinder our repentance withall viz. the certaintie of Gods decree of election and reprobation p. 243.244 If we are elected say men wee shall be saued without this repentance if reprobated all our repentance will not saue vs. This dangerous subtiltie met withall p. 245. c. Cap. 26. 3. Of the third rub men câ—st in thâ—ir own way to hâ—ld themselues from Repentance viz. the comfortable liues and deaths of many impenitents and the vncomfortable liues and ends of godly persons and such as haue beene most penitent p. 252 Answer tâ— this obiection p. 253 Cap. 27. 4. Of the fourth let to repentance from our selues Men conceiue Repentance very easie p 258 This conceit met withall ibid. c. Cap. 28. 5. Of the last lâ—t we hinder our repentance withall Men obiect the vnseasonablenesse of Repentance p. 263 Some thinke it too soone to repent ibid. These haue their answer ibid. c. Some think it too late to repent p. 269 These comforted and encouraged p. 270. Cap. 29. Of the meanes of Repentance in respect of sin Serious humiliation necessary to Repentance proud persons vncapable of it p. 273 Meanes to attaine Repentance 1. To get a cleare sight of sin and our miserie by it p. 274 2. True sorrow for it p. 275 3. A holy despaire in our selues of deliuerance by any meanes of our owne p. 276 A direction to get acquaintance with the morall Law very vsefull to worke our hearts to a sight of sin c. 277. c. Cap. 30. Of the meanes of Repentance in respect of God 1. His word a notable meanes to worke Repentance p. 281 The Law see how p. 283 The Gospell see how ibid. c. What men must doe that the Word may further their repentance p. 284. 2. Thoughts of Gods eye alwaies vpon vs in all our waies p. 285 3. A consideration of Gods hand both of mercie and iustice a forcible meanes to worke repentance Of mercie p. 286 Of iustice both on our selues and others p. 288. c. 4. A serious consideration of our relation to God a means to work Repentance p. 291 Cap. 31. Of the meanes of Repentance in respect of Christ viz. 1. Serious thoughts of the greatnes of his person and nearnesse to his Father p. 295 2. Of the heauy things hee suffered for sin p. 296 3. Of the basenesse of the persons for whom he suffred such things ibid. c. Cap. 32. Of the meanes of repentance in regard of our selues 1 T is a profitable means to further our repentance to consider our desires and affections both what they are and what they ought to be p. 300 2. To recount our liues and actions what they are and ought to be p. 301 3. To consider seriously the checks of our consciences p. 302 4. To remember our latter end p. 304 Cap. 33. Of the meanes of repentance in respect of others How we may further our repentance by good men p. 305 How repentance may be furthered by bad men and enemies to grace p. 306 Cap. 34. Of the markes of repentance in respect of sin 1 A true penitent remembers his sin though remitted with shame and sorrow p. 309 2 He will aggrauate his sin when he beholds it p. 311 3 He hates all sin euery where p. 314 4 He resists and holds fight against all sin 316 5 He relinquisheth his sin in true endeauours and neuer turneth to it any more 318 6 In his strife and resistance of sin he differenceth himselfe from the hypocrites in that he sets himselfe against sin vniuersally and sincerely p. 320. c. Cap. 35. Of the markes of repentance in respect of God 1 True repentance shewes it selfe by a sincere loue of God p. 327 2. By a childish feare awe of God p. 331. 3. By strong cries for grace against corruption p. 332 Cap. 36. Of markes of repentance in respect of others 1 A man truly humbled by repentance will esteeme of others better than himselfe p. 335 How a man ought to esteeme another better than himselfe though hee see in him grosse faults p. 337. c. 2. He is soft and gentle vnto others p. 339 3. The faults he espieth in others he will condemne in himselfe if not in the act and habit yet in the seede and inclination p. 340. 4. Hee will doe his best to draw others out of sin p. 341 Cap. 37. Of the signes of Repentance in respect of ones selfe 1. A true penitent iudgeth himself proceeds against himselfe iudicially and impartially p 344 The fruit and vse of iudging p. 345 The manner of a penitents iudging and proceeding against himselfe p. 345. c. 2 He reneweth himselfe daily p. 350 Wherein a true penitent reneweth and changeth himselfe p. 350. c. 3 He strengthens himselfe against lusts and the assaults of sin for time to come p. 354 How he armes himself see ibid. c. 4 Hee prepareth himselfe by daily exercise of repentance for Christs appearing p. 357. c. Cap. 38. Of the motiues to repentance from the necessity of it It is most necessary a man should repent p. 360 1 If we looke at the nature of sin ibid. c. 2 At the inseparable companions and effects of it p. 362. c. Cap. 39. Of motiues to repentance in regard of God 1 Our owne vnfitnesse to haue any fellowship with God without repentance p. 365 2 That strict iustice that is in God p. 366 3 His rich mercy p. 367 4 The vnprofitablenesse of all Gods ordinances without repentance p. 371 5 An impossibility of enioying God in glory without it p. 373 Cap. 40. Of motiues to repentance in respect of Christ. 1 His surpassing loue p. 375 2 His bitter passion with the end of it ibid. c. 3 Consider our relation to him p. 378 Cap. 41. Of motiues to repentance from ones selfe 1 Both the whole and parts of man call for repentance p. 379 2 His sins shew t is high time to practise repentance p. 380 FINIS A TREATISE Wherin is handled the PRACTICE of REPENTANCE LVK. 13.3 Except yee Repent c. CAP. 1. The ground of the Treatise FIrst the occasion of chusing this Text and argument Vpon occasion of Peters repentance which I haue opened vnto you I entred into a more serious consideration of the duty and conceiued 1 That Precepts and Examples must goe together
death and goe on in sinne and though the sword passe through the land to cry Peace Peace 3. Great is the difference betweene the sins of godly and wicked One sinneth of weaknesse the other of wickednesse one is drawne to sin violently the other runneth willingly the one sinneth against his purpose the other purposeth sin the one slippeth into sin the other lyeth downe and walloweth in it the one slumbers the other is in a dead sleep 4. We must hasten out of presumptuous sins because the sin against the holy Ghost is of this kind of sins though not euery sin of presumption and against knowledge and conscience but such a presumption as renounceth the whole Gospell and that of set purpose and malice against the maiesty of God and of Christ Heb. 10.29 If all sins then sins of aggrauating or scandalous circumstances as 1. Old and customable sins which are growne strong and habituall and neede a long and earnest Repentance to cut and breake them off and here especially our oldest and strongest sin of all the mother and nurse of all the rest our originall corruption had need bee bewailed being as a great wheele in a clocke that setteth all wheeles a mouing while it seemeth to moue slowest Yet not one of a hundreth taketh this of all other in hand as not seeing the danger of it But neuer did any truely repent that begun not here and first conquered this master esteeming it the most foulâ— and hatefull of all as Dauid Psal 51. and Paul cryeth out of it as most secret deceitfull powerfull euill Rom. 7. 2. Sweete pleasing and profitable sins the more pleasure thou hast taken in sin the more shall thy sorrow bee sooner or later and shalt know one day but the sooner the better that thy sweetest sin is a poison or rats-bane sweet in going down but forget the danger and please thy palate a while it shall work in thy bowels and bring death sure enough If sin bee not as a dagger at the heart before it shall after the commission The profit of sinne is like Achans wedge it cost his life Vnhappy is that profit of the world gotten by the losse of the soule 3. Sins of the godly after conuersion are greater than common mens 1. They are committed against more grace more means more knowledge 2. It is more noted being in a greater light Dauid caused the enemies to blaspheme and the godly bee ashamed because of sin 3. There is great profession of loue to God and this cannot but worke great sorrow for offending him Luke 7. The woman that had much forgiuen her loued much and so in Peter he sorrowed bitterly as his loue was great 4. The Lord taketh sinne more hainously at their hands than any others as a father abuse and dishonour from his son Christ complaineth it was thou my friend and familiar 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 4. Sins against meanâ— against warning admonition vowes promises correction much prouoke the Lord to wrath So Christ aggrauateth Iudas his sin he hath the greater sin Iohn 19. he not only knew my doctrine saw my miracles but was warned Peter after warning on Christs part and protestations on his owne so fowly denying Oh how the sin pricketh him and giueth him no rest till hee had met the Lord by Repentance Most sins of men in these daies of light are not for want of knowledge but against knowledge admonition and conscience the sins of men are taught among whom the Gospell is still preached and men follow with daily instructions All of them are against the vow and promise of Baptisme many of them against speciall motions of spirit against speciall promises and vowes to God either in time of affliction or terrour of conscience or bodily sicknesse or comming to saluation when men haue resolued and promised a change of life All these are fearefull sins and haue a loud voice to call either thee to repent or God to reuenge 5 Sinnes of open profanenesse As 1 Against holy times swearing whoring drinking gaming on the Sabbaoth day a time holy wherein ordinary lawfull actions are prohibited as Iourneyes Markets bying selling and euery piece of ordinary calling 2 Against holy places profane thoughtâ— speeches actions in the Church and house of God The holier the place the fouler the sinne 3 Against holy exercises disgracing reproching scorning the exercises of Religion Preaching Hearing Prayer Singing in the family and other godly duties 4 Against godly persons and such as excell in vertue reuiling godly men vnder titles of Puritans Hypocrites factious and troublers of the state Little know men the height of profanenesse they are growne to in these sins nor what nor whom they blaspheme nor what a fierce plague of GOD hangeth ouer them which nothing but timely Repentance can turne away Let such therefore try their Repentance if the wickednesse and profanenesse of their hearts may be forgiuen them CAP. 8. Concerning the manner of entrance into Repentance THe third rule for the direction of our Repentance concerneth the manner of it and this both of 1 Entrance 2 Proceeding 1. For the right entrance into this duty wee must know that there can be no true Repentance without due preparation Amos 4.12 Prepare to meet thy God O Israel And in all diuine duties the rule is Eccles. 5â—6 Be not hasty with thy feet nor rash in thy mouth but consider how thou must doe a good thing wel In this preparation remember 1 Thy selfe and thy owne estate For a man must returne into himselfe before he can returne to God The prodigall Sonne as he departed from his father so he departed from himselfe and therefore before hee returned to his Father he is said to be in se reuersus he returned into himselfe Esa. 46.8 Returne into your mindes O transgressors implying that sinners are as madde men out of their right mindes must come into themselues againe before they be well Now in considering thy selfe first remember from what an happy estate thou art fallen Reuel 2.5 Remember whence thou art fallen and repent So the Prodigall remembred from what an happy condition in his fathers house he was fallen 2 Remember thy waies and workes see and say how foolishly thou hast done so Dauid I considered my wayes and turned my feete Psal. 119.59 proclaime thine owne folly as Dauid I haue done very foolishly Ex lege agnitio paccati weigh thy sins in the Ballance not of crooked iudgement reason or affections but of the law of GOD which maketh them exceed all the mountaines of the world in weight for now must they needs presse thee downe to hell powring on thy head all the curses written in that Booke See them in the glasse of the Gospell committed against the bloud of the couenant thou hauing done what thou canst to make that of none effect See in them thy vile and abiect condition that durst commit such sins against God to abhorre thy selfe with Iob in dust and
ashes 3 Consider thy forlorne and cursed condition till thou dost repent thou art without GOD he that sinneth hath neither seene God nor knoweth him Iohn 3.6 Thou lyest in a state wherein thou art not capable of Gods mercy for God will not be mencifull to that man Deut. 29.120 Nay he cannot vnlesse he can be vniust in bestowing grace vpon the contemners of grace Say not God is mercifull for his bounty would lead thee to Repentance but the heart that cannot repent treasureth vp wrath against the day Rom. 2. Yea thou lyest in a state in which the Angell of the Lords wrath is ready to meet thee as Balaam with death at euery corner Reuel 16.2 The Angell that powred out the Vâ—oâ—s of Gods wrath on the earth the reason is giuen because they repented not of their works and except ye repent ye must perish euerlastingly 2 In this Preparation remember with whom thou hast to deale Repentance is a drawing neere vnto God Iam. 4. Men draw neere vnto GOD many waies by outward profession by inward faith apprehension by prayer and inuocation but especially by Repentance and Conuersion therefore saith Iames Draw neere to God cleanse your hands ye sinners and wash your hearts ye wauering minded for sin estrangeth separateth withdraweth from God but Repentance is a returning to him and striking a new league In this approach to God it will notably set forward Repentance If 1 Thou set him before thee a God cloathed with Maiesty and honour with iustice and wrath against sin this striketh the soule with an awfull feare and dread of God to make it stoope before him See we how the idolatrous person will cast himselfe on his face before his idoll he will goe barefoot creepe along as a worme from one end of the Church to another to get a kisse of it and shall we approach the true God with so little reuerence when they shew so much to Idols It is the feare of God that diminisheth the power of sinne 2 If thou set him before thee in the riches of his mercy in prouiding so excellent a remedy against sinne as is the precious bloud of his deare Sonne when nothing in the world else would serue 1. Pet. 1.10 3 And now to set thy face towards God as Daniel did DaÌ„ 9.2 1 Implying a drawing of the minde from all other distractions occasions as now hauing onely to doe with God who in this duty requireth the whole heart and the powring out of the soule before him 2 To testifie that we are turned quite out of our selues in whom is no helpe and depend onely vpon him for all supplies and mercy 3 In this preparation consider the necessity benefit and vse of Repentance 1 That nothing else can free vs from the snare of the death in which we are captiues 2. Tim. 2.9 2 Nothing else reconcileth vs vnto God and restoreth vs to his fauour 3 Nothing else correcteth the corruption of nature and returneth into innocency 4 Nothing else reneweth our life and course and maketh vs capable of holinesse or happinesse All this preparation is requisite not onely because of Gods command but rash and temerarious vndertaking of religious duties is a taking of Gods name in vaine and fruitlesse 2 If Daniel be not fit till hee be prepared much lesse we who haue so many distractions so much earth so dull spirits 3 There is no comfort in doing the duty but in the well and acceptable doing of it and neuer is it well performed but when we are well prepared CAP. 9. Concerning the wise proceeding in Repentance 2 THe wise proceeding in Repentance standeth in these things 1 To begin the worke within with cleansing the heart Ezek. 18.31 Cast away your transgressions and make you a new heart a new spirit For 1 The heart is the fountaine of actions as that is so are they Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh the hand acteth If the heart bee a fusty vessell the Lord will powre none of his gracious liquor into it As that is so is the whole man If the roote be naught so are the branches so are the fruits 2 This is the most compendious way Wash the inside first saith Christ all shall be cleane A vaine and lost labour it is to offer to stoppe the current of a streame if you goe not to the fountaine a vaine thing in a Gardener to cut off the toppes of weedes and leaue the root which fasteneth it selfe so much the deeper And therefore the Prophet Dauid praying for the grace of Repentance Psal. 51. Wash me purge me hee telleth the Lord where he would haue him begin Create in me a new heart and renew a right spirit 2 Comming outwardly begin with those master sins that are most rooted and haue most foyled vs for as in an army if the Generals and Captaines bee cut off the common souldiers are easily routed so if our chiefest sins which haue been Commanders and borne most sway and rule in vs be mortified and killed the lesser sins will bee more easily subdued and chased 1. Sam. 17.51 When the Philistimâ— saw their Champion Goliah was dead they fled Blast and plucke vp the roote the branches and succours withers of themselues Cut off the right hand right eye Herod had bin in a faire way of Repentance if he could haue begun with Herodias 2. It is obseruable in the Scripture of most true penitents that they begun with the strongest sins Dauid beginneth with his Bathsabeh and testifieth a notable Repentance Psal. 51. Saul once mastering his fury and rage in persecuting hee shall quickly become a zealous Preacher If we could see some men lay aside their malice and hatred of good men which is a strong snare of the deuill wee would hope to see them forward and louing and ioyne themselues with such as walke in the waies of God Zacheus once mastering his pilling and polling and couetous catching after the world becometh a notable example of a true penitent So could we see a worldling an vsurer an oppressour once giue vp his couetousnesse wee should expect any good thing from them Wee should hope to see them diligent in Gods house which now in the weeke day they thinke a losse of time Wee should see them restoring as fast as they fetched in we should see them as liberall to Gods worship and good vses as they haue beene basely griple Wee should see them as mercifull and charitable as they haue beene cruell and vnmercifull We should see with Couetousnesse the roote of all euill all the boughes and branches fall Till this bee done neuer say thou hast repented of any sin for he neuer repented of any sin whose master-sin is alone is spared and vnrepented 3. In wise proceeding when thou hast begun with any sin go through stitch with it not only to the shaking of the root but to the vnrooting and casting it out of the ground for 1. In all
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
sinner committeth high treason against the crowne and dignity of the God of heauen and is daily drawing neerer his execution a pardon is offered freely in the Gospell grace and mercy are offered but hee by impenitency thrusteth away the word of life scorneth the messengers iustifieth and defendeth his sinne here is a spirituall madnesse and frenzy What a folly is it whereas a man will doe nothing to make his finger ake he would not be hyred to hold his finger in the flame of a candle a moment for any money or gold hee will scarce tast a bitter potion for recouery of health yet this man maketh no bones of that which will bring endlesse torment in hell fire he sticketh not to drink vp a cup of poyson the nature of which is the further it goeth the more incurable it is hee nourisheth a serpent in his bosome which hath teeth and sting and poyson enough hee carryeth euery day a fagot to burne himselfe Oh now will not all this bring the sinner backe with Dauid to say Oh I haue done very foolishly The stung Israelites looked to the brasen serpent and liued they needed not be bidden but wee haue need to bee vrged to loâ—ke vpon Christ lifted vp vpon the pole of the Crosse and yet will not doe so little for our selues and cure What a folly is it for a man to fall and not offer to rise no man in his sense would lye still Oh then remember whence thou art fallen and doe thy first workes and repent 3 All sinne remaineth in full power and condemning force vpon the soule without Repentance Ioh. 9.41 Now you say you see your sinne remaineth in the guilt in the staine in the domination and reigne in the damnation of it Thou wast a swearer an adulterer a hater of God and an enemy to grace a persecutor of Christ and thou art so still if thou hast not repented Sinne hangeth like a burre on the impenitent person it parteth not in life nor in death but lyeth downe in the dust with him and riseth with him it goeth to iudgement with him and is sent to hell with him the wrath of God abideth on him because his sinne abideth with him 4 Of all sinnes impenitency is the greatest and nearest to iudgement Reuel 2.20 Iezabel had time to repent giuen her but repented not and therefore was cast into a bed of sorrow This was noted in Saul 1. Chron. 10 13. Saul dyed for his transgression but what was his transgression First hee disobeyed the commandement secondly hee sought to a Witch thirdly hee sought not to the Lord and therfore the Lord slue him True it is that euery sinne is damnable but no sinne actually condemneth but impenitency and therefore the greatest of sinnes is not to repent of sinne Let it not be said of thee as of Herod yet he added this aboue all that thou being so great a sinner hast not yet repented 3 Looke vpon thy selfe in respect of thy good duties 1 None can be good in thee till thou hast repented first the tree must be good and then the fruit first Abels person was accepted and then his sacrifice but to Caine and his sacrifice he had no respect 2 Nay in the best euen the best duties must bee begun and finâ—shed with Repentance without which the best seruice is vnprofitable and sinfully defectiue Nehemiah in building vp the wall in commanding the Sabbath to bee kept desireth to be remembred in goodnesse and pardoned Neh. 13.12 Repent and pray repent and be baptized repent and receiue the Sacraments else sinne will hinder 4 Looke on thy selfe in thy estate and condition both in respect of sinne and of change and Repentance 1 Looke vpon thy estate of corruption for time Past Present To come 1 What hath thy whole life past been before grace Col 1.21 Paul wisheth them to consider that in times past they were strangers and enemies hauing their mindes set on euill works and 1. Pet. 4.3 It is sufficient that we haue spent our time past in the lusts of the Gentiles in wantonnesse lusts gluttony drunkennesse So dost thou see thy sinnes for number and weight as the sands already and for the manner of committing them against such light and meanes so out of measure sinful and dost thou not say It is sufficient 2 What is thy whole present course without grace 1 To goe on in sin is wilfully to perish and murther our owne soules the case being worse with vs than that mans that fell among theeues we lye not halfe but wholly dead God sendeth his Sonne the good Samaritane to binde vp our wounds to temper a remedy of his owne heart bloud when no herbe or simple was left in heauen or earth for our cure Now we in stead of thankefull acceptance and application of this remedy by going on in sinne we tread vnder foote this pretious bloud nay we make our wounds larger and bigger euery day than other 2 Euery man is euery day nearer his end his death and iudgement we are going before Gods tribunall and to the barre of his iudgement and shall we be so mad as euen in the way to multiply our misdemeanours A malefactor going to the barre or to execution if he should cut a purse by the way would not euery one thinke hanging too good for him This is the case of euery impenitent person liuing in the practise of sinne euen in the way to his execution 3 What will bee thy case in time to come going on in sin 1 In the approach of death Sathan will asâ—ayle with all his strength that in the last combat he may breake the necke of thy soule and hee hauing the strength of a mans owne sinnes vnsubdued and vnmastered he easily attaineth his purpose then setteth hee euery small sinne before the eye in the magnitude of a huge mountaine and the curse due vnto it to the breaking of the heart of a sinner Now is the guilty conscience in a wofull case stricken through with terror and torment Now hee seeth that whereas hee thought to haue got out of sin at the furthest at his death how weake and sicke his Repentance is how strong vnconquerable and gyant-like his sinne is and all concludeth with sathan against him he seeth where the strong man hath long dwelt he is not easily cast out but as he hath liued so he is likely to dye for as the tree leaneth so commonly it falleth and as it falleth so it lyeth 2 If all this will not moue thee consider what followeth after death the time hasteneth wherein thou shalt bee naked before the Lord the Iudge of all in the sight of Angels Men and Diuels Before thee a terrible Iudge to condemne thee and with him the Saints shall iudge the world and giue witnesse against thy sin On the one hand Sathan who tempteth thee shall now accuse thee On the other the Angels ministring spirits shall be ready as a fagot to binde thee and cast thee into hell within thee an accusing conscience as a thousand witnesses against thee shall bring to minde all sinnes and circumstances long since forgotten Beneath thee hell ready to deuoure thee none shall be admitted to speake for thee and thy selfe shalt bee speechlesse and canst not speake for thy selfe so as sentence must needes passe against thee and thou deliuered to the Deuill whose will thou didst diligently execute here that hee may now haue his will and delight in thy endlesse torment Oh therefore vse meanes to preuent this ruful condition come out of thy sin betime hye thee apace out of Sodome lay aside thine owne folly now take Gods warning heare the raps of Christ now knocking at the doore of thy heart by the hammer of his Word Spirit Mercies Iudgements Now follow the Motion let not Sathan or sin beguile thee any longer to hold thee off from Repentance 2. See thy happy change and blessed estate by this grace of Repentance 1. Of all gifts a broken heart is the rarest and happiest the humble heart in stead of lodging foule sins and lusts becommeth a lodge for the highest God who pleaseth to dwel with a broken and contrite heart What an happy change of a stony heart into flesh 2. The very first act of Repentance bringeth pardon of sin Psal. 32. I said I will confesse thou forgauest 2. Sam. 12.13 Dauid no sooner said I haue sinned but Nathan said The Lord hath put away thy sin And the continuance of it bringeth and continueth a sweet sense and assurance of remission in the heart It is not with God as in mens Courts Confesse and iudgement runneth against but in Gods Confesse and the Law is satisfied In mens Courts Confession and Condemnation goe together in Gods Confession and Iustification Iudge thy selfe and preuent the iudgment of God 3. What an happy and welcome change were it of age into youth Nature cannot worke it grace can The old man is put off the new man put on Of old men wee become young and smug againe renewing our strength as the Eagle Psal. 103. And this change by grace forerunneth that great change by glorie and is the beginning of it When these base earthly bodies shall become spirituall bodies and this very peece of clay shall shine as the Sun when corruption shall put on incorruption and these ignorant sinfull soules shall put on a perfect image of Godâ— and the whole man become like the Angels themselues Whom these considerations cannot moue I suppose nothing can Thus I haue somewhat largely intreated out of this Text of the Practice of Repentance in the Rules Le ts Helpes Markes and Motiues I will conclude the Treatise with that of our Sauiour If ye heare these things blessed are yee if yee doe them and end as I began with the words of the Text If yee repent not yee shall all perish There is no greater miserie than to bee without miserie no greater sorrow than to bee without the sorrow of sound Repentance FINIS Note 1. Note 2. Reason Vse 1. Note 3. Vse Reason Secondly the Cautions Reason Deut. 5 Reas. 1. Conclus Conclus 3 Conclus 4 Reas. â— Reason 1 Rule 3. The fourth Let. Let 4. Conclus 1. Conclus 2. Reason Reason Vse