XV. Of Repentance unto Life and Salvation
1. Such of the Elect as are converted at riper years, having asome times lived in the state of nature, and therein served divers lusts and pleasures, God in their Effectual Calling giveth them Repentance unto Life.
aTitus 3:2–5
2. Whereas there is none that doth good, and sinneth anot; and the best of men may through the power, and deceitfulness of their corruption dwelling in them, with the prevalency of temptation, fall into great sins, and provocations; God hath in the Covenant of Grace, mercifully provided that Believers so sinning, and falling, bbe renewed through Repentance unto Salvation.
aEccles. 7:20 bLuke 22:31–32
3. This saving Repentance is an aevangelical Grace, whereby a person being by the Holy Spirit made sensible of the manifold evils of his sin, doth, by Faith in Christ, humble himself for it, with godly sor row, detestation of it, and selfabhorrency; bpraying for pardon, and strength of grace, with a purpose and endeavor by supplies of the Spirit, to cwalk before God unto all well pleasing in all things.
aZech. 12:10; Acts 11:18 bEzek. 36:31; 2 Cor. 7:11 cPs. 119:6, 128
4. As Repentance is to be continued through the whole course of our lives, upon the account of the body of death, and the motions thereof; so it is every man’s duty, to repent of his aparticular known sins, particularly.
aLuke 19:8; 1 Tim. 1:13, 15
5. Such is the provision which God hath made through Christ in the Covenant of Grace, for the preservation of Believers unto Salvation, that although there is no sin so small, but it deserves adamnation; yet there is no sin so great, that it shall bring damnation on them that brepent; which makes the constant preaching of Repentance necessary.
aRom. 6:23 bIsa. 1:16, 18; Isa. 55:7