Gods Effectual Calling, Treatise · Chapter 35
CHAP. XXXV. How farre a wicked man may proceed in repentance.
HAuing thus far ſpoken of repētance, which is proper to the elect & godly, we are next to conſider how far the reprobate, and vngodly man may proceed in repentance. All wicked & vngodly men do not make like progreſſe: for they profit ſome leſſe, ſome more in the work of repē tance. We wil firſt ſpeak of them which be leaſt proficient Theſe firſt hauehave a ſorrow, or horror in their minds, which Degrees of repentance in the impious.commeth from the law, and that not for ſinnes or any offences committed againſt God, properly and truly: but becauſe of the puniſhment of ſinne properly, and for ſin accidentally, becauſe puniſhment followeth ſin. Next after this ſorrow there followeth in them ſome diſlike in mind of the ſinne committed, but becauſe of the puniſhment: Note this diſtinction.but as touching affection to the good which ought to be don, ſo far they come not. Further, yet there followeth in the wil a declining from euil committed but becauſe of the puniſhment; for in the meane while their will is not bent, or inclined to the good which ought to be done. After this little change of the wil, there followeth in the heart a deteſtation of euill committed, but in regard of the puniſhment; for all this while the heart dooth not proceede to louelove iuſtice, or the good which ought to be done. And as touching the outward, life there is no good change or holy amendment in it.
In this kind was Iudas the traitor, of whoſe repentance read Mat. 27. where firſt it is ſaid, that Iudas did repent him of that he had done. Note here in this word his ſorrow, Iudas example.& anxiety of hart. Next, he is ſayd to hauehave brought againe ye 30. pieces of ſiluer to the high prieſt: whēce may neceſſarily be gathered a change of the wil, of the mind and of the heart: which thing alſo by his owne confeſſion may appeare, becauſe he ſaid afterward, I hauehave ſinned, betraying the innocent bloud: for this word doth argue a diſlike of ſin in ſome ſort, and a renouncing, and deteſtation of ſin, albeit not ſincere, but principally in reſpect of the puniſhment; accidentally in reſpect of the ſin, becauſe ſin and the puniſhment thereof goe together: finally, whereas he caſt the ſiluer peeces into the temple, it appeares there was in him an inward diſlike, and deteſtation of euill, and yet that no amendment of life followed this change of mind, it appeares in this, becauſe preſently going aſide he hanged himſelfe.
There are other impious men, who proceed a little further in repentance then theſe, hauing in their minds ſome change vntounto good, their mindes allowing that which is good, and their will chooſing the ſame, and their heart affecting it: yet theſe things be not ſincere in them, but proceede from feare of puniſhment. And as concerning the amendmēt of their outward life, they begin that alſo: but as the Prophet ſaith: Their goodneſſe vaniſheth as a morning cloude, and as the morningdew. Amos. 6.
Of this number was Saul. Sam. 15. & Achab. 1. Kin. 21. Saul.And of this kind alſo, it ſeemes was Eſau, Gen. 27. His ſorrow appeareth by his teares ſhed: the change alſo of his mind in ſome ſort vntounto good appeares by that it is ſaid, he would hauehave obtained the bleſſing, he ſought the bleſſing: but there was nothing ſincere in him. For forthwith after he returned to his old haunt, or wonted courſe againe. The wicked which yeeld beſt ſignes of repentance, are thoſe, who hauehave attained the temporary faith, whoſe ſorrow alſo doth ariſe from the Goſpel, and the acknowledgment of the mercy of God in Chriſt; and the change of the mind vntounto good, is in ſome ſort for the good it ſelfe: for they taſt after a ſort the ſweetnes of God in Chriſt, and are delighted in it. And as concerning the amendment of outward life, that alſo is in them a little longer then in thoſe before deſcribed They do alſo returne and relinquiſh many ſins.
Of this kind it ſeemes Herod was, of whom it is written Mar. 6. 20. Herod feared Iohn, knowing that he was a iuſt and an holy man, and he receaued him, & when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly: And thus far of theſe 3. ſteps of impious men in repentance, & here alſo I end the doctrine of ſound repentance.