Thus we have seen the deadly evil in sin, which seriously thought on, may make us repent, and turn to God. If for all this, men will persist in sin, and are resolved upon a voyage to Hell, who can help it. They have been told what a soul-damning Rock sin is; but if they will voluntarily run upon it, and split themselves, their blood be upon their own head.

2. The second consideration to work⁴⁷ Repentance, is, consider the mercies of God. A stone is soonest broken upon a soft pillow; and an heart of stone is soonest broken upon the soft pillow of Gods mercies⁴⁸, Rom. 2. 4. The goodness of God leadeth thee to Repentance. The clemency of a Prince doth soonest cause relenting in a malefactor. While God hath been storming others by his judgements, he hath been wooing us by his mercies.

What privative mercies have we had⁴⁹?⁵⁰ what mischiefs have been prevented? what fears blown over? When our foot hath been slipping, Gods mercy hath held us up (Psal. 94. 18). Mercy hath been alwaies a screen between us and danger. When enemies like Lions have risen up against us to devour us, free-grace hath snatched us out of the mouth of these Lions. In the deepest waves, the arm of mercy hath been under, and kept our head above water; and will not this privative mercy lead us to Repentance?

What positive mercies have we had!⁵¹ 1. Supplying mercy. God hath been a bountiful benefactor, Gen. 48. 15. The God which fed me all my life long to this day. What man will spread a table for his enemy? we have been enemies, yet God hath fed us; he hath given us the horn of Oyl; he hath made the hony-comb of mercy drop upon us. God hath been as kind to us, as if we had been his best servants; and will not this supplying mercy lead us to Repentance?

2. Delivering mercy. When we have been at the gates of the grave, God hath miraculously spun out our lives; he hath turned the shadow of death into the morning, and hath put a song of deliverance into our mouth; and will not delivering mercy lead us to Repentance? The Lord hath laboured to break our hearts with his mercies. We read Iudg. 2.—When the Angel (which was a Prophet) had preached a Sermon of mercy, the people lifted up their voices and wept, vers 4. If any thing will move tears, it should be the mercy of God. He is an obstinate sinner indeed, whom these great Cable-Ropes of Gods mercy will not draw to Repentance.

3. Consider Gods afflictive providences,⁵² and see if our limbeck will not drop when the fire is put under. God hath sent us of late years to the school of the cross; he hath twisted his judgements together; he hath made good upon us those two threatnings, Hos. 5. 12. I will be to Ephraim as a moth. Hath not God been so to England in decay of trading? And ver. 14. I will be to Ephraim as a Lion. Hath he not been to England in the devouring Plague⁵³? Well, all this while God waited for our Repentance; but we went on in sin, Ier. 8. 6. I hearkned and heard, but no man repented him of his wickedness, saying, what have I done? And of late God hath been whipping us with a fiery Rod⁵⁴, in those tremendous flames in this City, which did hierogly phically resemble the great Conflagration at the last day, when the Elements shall melt with fervent heat (2 Pet. 3. 10). When Ioabs corn was on fire, then he went running to Absalom, 2 Sam. 14. 31. God hath set our houses on fire, that we may run to him by Repentance, Micah 6. 9. The Lords voice cries unto the City, Hear ye the Rod, and who hath appointed it. This is the language of the Rod, that we should humble our selves under Gods mighty hand, and break off our iniquities by righteousness, Dan. 4. 27. Manassehs affliction ushered in Repentance, 2 Chron. 33. 12. This God useth as the proper medicine for security, Hos. 2. 5. Her Mother hath played the Harlot; that is, by idolatry. What course now will God take with her? vers. 6. Therefore I will hedge up thy way with thorns⁵⁵. This is Gods method, to set a thorn-hedge of affliction in the way. Thus to a proud man contempt is a thorn; to a lustful man sickness is a thorn, both to stop him in his sin, and to prick him for ward in Repentance.

The Lord teacheth his people as Gideon did the men of Succoth, Iudg. 8. 16. He took the Elders of the City, and thorns of the wilderness and briars, and with them he taught the men of Succoth. Here was tearing Rhetorick. So God hath of late been teaching us humiliation by thorny providences: he hath torn our golden fleece from us; he hath brought our houses low, that he might bring our hearts low. When shall we dissolve into tears if not now? Gods judgements are so proper a means to work Repentance, that the Lord wonders at it, and makes it his complaint, that his severity did not break men off from their sins, Amos 4. 7. I have with-holden the Rain from you, vers. 9. I have smitten you with blasting and mildew, vers. 10. I have sent among you the Pestilence; but still this is the burden of the complaint, Yet ye have not returned to me. The Lord proceeds gradually in his judgements: First he sends a lesser cross, and if that will not do, then a greater. He sends upon one first a gentle fit of an Ague, and afterwards a burning Feaver. He sends upon another first a loss at Sea, then the loss of a child, then an husband. Thus by degrees he would try to bring men to Repentance. Sometimes God makes his judgements go in circuit, from family to family. The cup of affliction hath gone round in the Nation, all have tasted it; and if we repent not now, we stand in a contempt of God, and do interpretatively bid God do his worst; and such a climax of wickedness will hardly be pardoned, Isa. 22. 12, 13. In that day did the Lord of Hosts call to weeping and mourning, and behold joy and gladness; It was revealed in mine ears by the Lord of Hosts, surely this iniquity shall not be purged from you till you dye: That is, this sin shall not be expiated by sacrifice. If the Romans did severely punish a young man who was seen sporting in a window with a Crown of Roses on his headin time of publick Calamity: of how much sorer punishment shall they be thought worthy, who strengthen themselves in wickedness, and laugh in the very face of Gods judgements. The Heathen Mariners in a storm repented, Ionah 1. 14. Not to repent now and throw our sins over-board, is to to be worse than Heathens.

4. Let us consider how much we shall⁵⁶ have to answer for at last, if we repent not. How many prayers, counsels, admonitions, will be put upon the score. Every Sermon will come in as an Indictment. As for such as have truly repented, Christ will answer for them; his blood will wash away their sins; the mantle of free-grace will cover them, Ier. 50. 20. In those daies saith the Lord, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none, and the sins of Iudah, and they shall not be found. Those who have judged themselves in the lower Court of Conscience, shall be acquitted in the High Court of Heaven: but if we repent not, our sins must be accounted all for at the last day; and we must answer for them in our own persons, and have no counsel allowed to plead for us. Now O impenitent sinner, think with thy self how thou wilt be able to look thy Judge in the face; thou hast a damned cause to plead, and wilt be sure to be cast at the bar⁵⁷, Iob 31. 14. What then shall I do when God riseth up? and when he visits, what shall I answer him? Either therefore now repent, or else provide your answers, and see what defence you can make for your selves when you come before Gods Tribunal; but when God riseth up, how will you answer him?

5. The second help to Repentance,⁵⁸ is, a prudent comparison: Compare the penitent and impenitent condition together, and see the difference: Spread them before your eyes, and by the light of the word see the impenitent condition most deplorable, and the penitent most comfortable. How sad was it with the Prodigal before he returned to his Father! he had spent all; he had sinned himself into beggary, and he had nothing left but a few husks; he was fellowcommoner with the Swine; but when he came home to his Father, then nothing was thought too good for him. Then the Robe was brought forth to cover him, and the Ring to adorn him, and the fatted Calf to feast him. If the sinner continues in his impenitency, then farewel Christ and mercy; but if he repent, then presently he hath an Heaven within him; then Christ is his, then all is peace. He may sing a requiem to his soul, and say, Soul, take thy ease, thou hast much goods laid up. Upon our turning to God, we have more restored to us in Christ, than ever we lost in Adam. God saith to the repenting soul, I will clothe thee with the Robe of Righteousness, I will enrich thee with the jewels and graces of my spirit, I will bestow my love upon thee, will give thee a Kingdom; Son, all I have is thine⁵⁹. O my friends, do but compare your estate before Repentance, and after Repentance together. Before your repenting, there are nothing but clouds to be seen and storms; clouds in Gods face, and storms in conscience; but after repenting, how is the weather altered! what sun-shine above! what serene calmness within! a Christians soul being like the Hill Olympus, all light and clear, and no winds blowing.

6. A third means conducible to Repentance,⁶⁰ is, a settled determination to leave sin; not a faint velleity, but a resolved vow, Psal. 119. 106. I have sworn […]hat I will keep thy righteous judgements. All the delights and artifices of sin shall not make me forsworn. There must be no haesitation, no consulting with flesh and blood; had I best leave my sin or no? But as Ephraim, Hos. 14. 8. What have I to do any more with Idols⁶¹? I will be gulled no more by my sins, no longer fool’d by Satan; this day I will put a bill of divorce into the hands of my lusts. Till we come to this peremptory resolution, sin will get ground of us, and we shall never be able to shake off this Viper. No wonder if he be conquered by sin, who is not resolved to be an enemy to it.

But this resolution must be built upon the strength of Christ more than our own; it must be an humble resolution⁶². As David when he went against Goliah, he put off his presumptuous confidence, as well as his armour, […] Sam. 17. 45. I come to thee in the name of the Lord. So we must go out against our Goliah·lusts in the strength of Christ. ‘Tis usual for a person to joyn another in the bond with him: So being conscious of our own inability to leave sin, let us get Christ to be bound with us, and engage his strength for the mortifying of corruption.

4. The fourth means is earnest supplication⁶³ (Chrysost). The Heathens laid one of their hands on the Plough; the other they lifted up to Ceres the goddess of Corn. So when we have used the means, let us look up to God for a blessing; pray to him for a repenting heart⁶⁴ · Thou Lord who bidst me repent, give me grace to repent⁶⁵. Pray that our hearts may be holy limbecks dropping tears; beg of Christ to give to us such a look of love as he did to Peter, which made him go out and weep bitterly: Implore the help of Gods Spirit; ‘tis the Spirits smiting on the Rocks of our hearts, that makes the waters gush out, Psal. 147. 18. He causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow. When the wind of Gods Spirit blows, then the water of tears will flow.

Good reason we should go to God for Repentance, 1. Because it is his gift, Act. 11. 18. Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted Repentance unto life. The Arminians hold, that it is in our power to repent. We can harden our hearts, but we cannot soften them. This Crown of Free-will is fallen from our head: nay, there is in us not only impotency, but obstinacy, Act. 7. 51. Therefore beg of God a repentant spirit; he can make the stony heart bleed; his word is verbum creativum, with his command he gives power.

2. We must have recourse to God for this blessing, because he hath promised to bestow it, Ezek. 36. 26. I will give you an heart of flesh. I will soften your Adamant hearts in my Sons blood: shew God his hand and seal: and there is another gracious promise, Ier. 24. 7. They shall return unto me with their whole heart. Turn this promise into a prayer; Lord give me grace to return unto thee with my whole heart.

3. Endeavour after clearer discoveries⁶⁶ of God, Iob 42. 5. Now mine eye seeth thee; wherefore I abhor my self and repent in dust and ashes. Iob having surveyed Gods glory and purity, as an humble penitent he did abhor, or as it is in the Hebrew, he did even reprobate⁶⁷ himself*. By looking into the transparent glass of Gods holiness, we see our own blemishes, and so learn to bewail them.

4. Lastly, Labour for Faith; but⁶⁸ what is that to Repentance? Yes, Faith breeds union with Christ, and there can be no separation from sin, till there be union with Christ. The eye of Faith looks on mercy, and that thaws the heart. Faith carries us to Christs blood, and that blood mollifies. Faith perswades of the love of God, and that love sets us a weeping.

Thus I have laid down the means or helps to Repentance: What remains now, but that we set upon the work; and let us be in earnest, not as Fencers, but Warriers. I will conclude all with that of the Psalmist, Psal. 126. 6. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again rejoycing, bringing his sheaves with him.

Footnotes

1. ↩

2. 1 Consid. ↩

3. ↩

4. Elongat hominem à Deo. Jacob de Valent. ↩

5. […] Ali norunt se retrorsum. Ar. Mo[…]tan. ↩

6. ↩

7. […] ↩

8. ↩
9. ↩

10. Omne peccatum fundatur in ignorantia. ↩

11. ↩

12. Quae […]e dementia cepit? Virg. ↩

13. […] ↩

14. ↩
15. • Vir ingratus est dolium per[…]oratum. Lucian
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16. ↩

17. […] signif. primò levem, vilem. ↩

18. ↩
19. ↩

20. Sicut plaustrum stipulae vel foeni onere praegravatum stridore & sonitu exululat, sic ego peccata vestra ultrà non sustinens, clamo, &c. Hie[…]m. ↩

21. Non recubat ad foras tanquam Canis dormiens D. Rivet. ↩

22. ↩

23. Vocabulum hoc […] significat reatum & obligationem ad poenam. Chemnit. Harm. ↩

24. ↩
25. ↩
26. ↩

27. Haec est carnis licentia, quae nos sic à Dei servitute manumittit, ut Diabolo mancipet. Calvin. ↩

28. Aug. Confess. ↩

29. O quam multos habet Dominos, qui non habet unum? Hierom. ↩

30. ↩

31. Nemo errat sibi ipsi, sed dementiam spargit in proximos. Sen. ↩

32. Quid alteri periculo es? tu illi gladius. Tertul. ↩

33. ↩

34. Omne peccatum est sui ipsius poena. ↩

35. ↩

36. Mortalium errores epulae sunt daemonum. ↩

37. ↩

38. Quot vitia tot vulnera. ↩

39. Accipiter sanguinem non aquam bibit. Pierius. ↩

40. ↩

41. Aug. con[…] lib. 1. c. 13. ↩

42. ↩

43. Haec in vestros fabricata est machina muros. Virgil. Aeneid. ↩

44. loco venenum bibit, seriò mortem obiit. Reyn. Orat. ↩

45. Horreo vermem mordacem, & mortem vivacem. […] Flor. ↩

46. Tun[…] crew dam cùm illuc venero. ↩

47. 2 Consid. ↩

48. O altitudo divitiarum misericordiae De[…] ↩

49. Plures sunt gratiae privativae. ↩

50. ↩
51. ↩

52. 3 Consid. ↩

53. ↩
54. ↩

55. Deus spinis sepit, cum homines variis circumcingit aerunin is, ut ad peccata tanquam amasios […]gredi non […]. ↩

56. 4 Consid. ↩

57. Foris erit mundus ardens, intus conscientia urens, heu miser peccator quo fugies? Anselm. ↩

58. ↩

59. Tua sunt & aeterna & temporaria, haec ad utendum, illa ad fruendum, Brugens. ↩

60. ↩

61. Abe[…]nt idola in malam crucem· ↩

62. Frustra nititur qui non innititur. Bernard. ↩

63. ↩

64. Quis invenit si quaerens frustratur? cui aperis, si pulsanti claudis? Anselm. ↩

65. Da Domine quod bes, &c. Austin. ↩

66. ↩

67. […] ↩

68. ↩