Evangelical Repentance Unto Salvation, Tract 1 (2 of 2)

Evangelical Repentance Unto Salvation · Tract 1 (2 of 2)

p. 61Oh! that God would enable us to theſe ſecret Acts upon our corrupt ſelves, to rend our Hearts, and not our Garments, to Sacrifice to God broken Hearts, and contrite Spirits, to Tremble at his word, to humble our ſelves, and to lye down before him, with our very Souls and Spirits, as well as to roll our Bodies in the Duſt. Oh! that God would give us theſe proofs of true unfeign'd Repentance.

4. There follows in a true Repentance, a real execution upon our corrupt, impure ſelves, a cutting off the Right Hand, Mark 9.43.Mark 9:43and the Right Foot, a pulling out the Right Eye, a true Spiritual being put to Death, a ſlaying, a crucifying our ſelves in the Fleſh, that we may Live to God in the Spirit; a ſuffering the Spirit of p. 62Judgment, and of Burning, a ſalting the Saorifice, not only with Salt, but with Fire.

Now All theſe Things are of great uſe, as they are Acknowledgments of the Righteous Judgment of God, due to us in our Eternal Condemnation, as they are Judging our ſelves to the very Fire of Hell; As they declare the exceeding Evil of Sin, and the Foulneſs of it; as they ſhew us the abſolute Neceſſity of a Redeemer; as they lay a Foundation of ſeparating our ſelves from ſin, and of the utter Hatred of it. And laſtly, They are ſuch, as muſt needs reſult from Rational Nature, endued with moſt powerful Principles of the Law of Righteouſneſs, Knowledge of God, and of his Righteous Judgment, written in the Hearts and the Thoughts he hath made; the Conſcience he hath created, either for Accuſing or Excuſing; and eſpecially all theſe mightily ſet home by the power of the Spirit of God; that ſo he may have, though not Real Satisfaction from the Sinner; for that is alone from Chriſt; Yet ſuch an Honorary ſatisfaction, and Acknowledgment; as is due from a ſinner, even in his very Soul, and from the bottom of his Heart; in the Day, wherein rhe Lord is pacified towards him, that flies for Refuge to the hope ſet before him.

Particular 2. The ſecond Particular in this Head, concerning Repentance, in the strict conſideration of it, is, That it imports very cloſe and particular Negotiationn, and Tranſactions with God, in relation to Forgiveneſs; and ſuch, as expreſs our particular ſhame, and ſorrow, that we have offended him; and earneſt Deſires, that he would ſhew us, that he is at peace p. 63with us, and hath pardon'd all that is paſs'd in Christ.

Under this I will Diſcourſe theſe following Particulars:

1. In Repentance: The Humble, Repenting Soul caſts it ſelf down in the moſt lowly, and Self-abaſing Acknowledgment of ſin, and confeſſion of it. Scripture therefore points ſo much at Confeſſion: He that confeſſeth, and forſaketh: He muſt firſt confeſs, and then forſake his ſins, and he ſhall find mercy, Prov. 28.13. And David deſcribes a Penitent, as one, in whoſe Spirit there is no guile: that is, he makes an open, ſincere, hearty Confeſſion. This is one Branch of the Deſcription of the Bleſled Man, whoſe Iniquities are forgiven, and whoſe ſins are covered; and to whom the Lord will not impute Iniquity: And after, it follows, I acknowledg'd my Iniquity unto thee, and my ſin have I not hid: I ſaid, I will confeſs my tranſgreſſion unto the Lord, and thou forgaveſt the Iniquity rf my ſ n. But before I did this, and while I kept ſilence, thy hand was heavy upon me; ſo that my moiſture was tu ned inio the drought of ſummer, Pſalm 32.1, &c. I acknowledge my tnanſgreſſion, and my ſin is ever before me, Pſalm 51.3. Ezra thus made confeſſion, c. 9. So Nehemiah. c. 9. So Daniel, c. 9. And the Apoſtle, John, Ep. 1. c. 1.9. ſays, If we confeſs our ſins he is f…ithful and juſt to forgive us our ſins, and to cleanſe us from all unrighteouſneſs. Thus we ſee how much Scripture puts upon Confeſſion throughout.

Now Confeſſion of ſin is not accepted of God for it ſelf: For what can we ſuppoſe, the Relation of p. 64our ſins can be to God, the Eyes of whoſe Holineſs, and Glory, are ſo p…ovok'd by our ſins? But he hath only Regard to us, that we ſhould in hatred of our ſins, and of our ſinful ſelves, expoſe them with hatred, and abhorrence of our ſelves; and becauſe we are reſolved to have no more to do with them, we diſcover and detect them, without any thing of Guile, without any Reſerve: For, as the Expreſſion is in Job, when we ſpare our ſins, we roll them under our Tongues. The more therefore we confeſs them with trouble of Mind, and in bitterneſs of Spirit, and with Reſolutions of having no more to do with them, the more acceptable is our Confeſſion to God; becauſe thereby our Confeſſion the more attains God's Ends, and what he is moſt pleas'd with in our Confeſſion. For therein is our ſincerity, when we confeſs ſin, becauſe it is Reaſonable to expect we will not be reconcil'd to the ſins we confeſs: For that is for the Dog to return to his Vomit. Confeſſion of our ſins, with Loathing and Abhorrence, is vomiting them out of our mouths. And sherefore to return to them again, is to return to our Vomit: and Confeſſion is like Waſhing and Purifying our ſelves: To retturn therefore to the ſins we have confeſs'd is wallowing our ſelves in the mire, after waſhing. This ſeems ſo Reaſonable, and even Neceſſary, that when it is firſt ſaid, He that hideth and covereth his ſins, ſhall not proſper: Then, he that confeſſeth, and forſaketh, ſhall find mercy. It is ſuppoſed, if any Man does not confeſs, he will not forſake; but if he confeſſes, he does it in order to forſaking. But yet becauſe Men are ſo apt to deceive themſelves with Formality, and to think, God may be ſo put off, and pleas'd, he adds; He that not only p. 65confeſleth, but does that which is ſo neceſſary with Confeſſion forſakes; ſhall find mercy.

Thus Solomon, 1 Kings 8.1 Kgs 8all along his Prayer, joyns many Expreſſions, that are the undoubted Acts of ſincere Repentance, together with the Confeſſion of ſin. And if Confeſſion be thus joyn'd with Sorrow, Shame, Trouble, Hatred of ſins and utter ſeparation from them; it could not deſervedly fall under that Ridicule, and Contempt, that prophane men put upon it; as if it were the telling God only the Story of our wicked Hearts, or Lives: But without other ſincere, effective Powers of Repentance, it too juſtly falls under that Reproach; but any ſuch Reproach, our Lord will return upon us, and our Confeſſion.

2. In Repentance there is an earneſt and moſt vehement, but alſo moſt humble Application to the Throne of Grace, in Jeſus Chriſt, for Pardon and Reconciliation; and with ſuch a Continuance and Perſeverance, as till there be ſome Anſwer, that God is our Gracious Father in Chriſt; that we hear the Joyful ſound, that our ſins are forgiven us. It is not only that common and formal way of asking Pardon, whether we mind it or not; but to make it our Buſineſs, the Aim and Deſign of our Souls, till we receive ſome gracious aſſurance, that our Deſires are anſwered, and our Prayers heard. The truly Repenting ſinner ſitteth alone, and keepeth ſilence; that is, he is in a waiting, and earneſtly expecting poſture; He putteth his mouth in the duſt, if there may be hope; He ſaith of God, He is my portion; he hath promiſed pardon, the…ef…re will I hope in him: For indeed the Lord is good to all that thus wait for him; to the ſoul that thus ſeeketh him: It is good therefore p. 66for a man, that he both hope, and quietly wait for the ſalvation of the Lord; It is good for a man to bear the Y ke …n his youth: Till G d is pleas'd to ſay to him, Be of good cheer, I am …y ſalvation: Fear not. I have blotted out thy Tranſ…reſſions as a clo…d, and thy ſins as a thick cl…ud: When they are ſought f…r, there ſh…ll be none; and though they are ſ…a…ch'd for, they ſhall not be found. For thus the trul… repenting ſinner f…ll…ws hard after God: Repentance is a Grace on purp…ſe for the ſuing out …ardon and Reconciliation. And becauſe it is moved and acted by Faith▪ it ſeeks this Pardon in Chriſt, and through the Mediator, …y whom alone Repentance bath place, and from whom alone the Notion of it ſprings, as hath been ſhewn: Thus David in his Repentance renewed, through the whole Pſalm 51. repeats and redoubles his pra…er f…r pardon; as if he would not ceaſe, n r be quiet, till he had the a …urance of it: He turns himſelf therefore every way to God, and all the Efficacies of his Grace for Pardon, and with a Reſpect to the Blood of Chriſt, under the Hyſop.

Particular 3. In true Repentance, the Soul makes Full and F…m Reſol…tions of New Obedience, and Amendment of Life; and ſuch as are ready to iſſue out into A…ti…n; and this through the Grace, and Power, and aſſiſtance of the Divine Spirit.

And herein, indeed, is the very great Point of Repentanc…, an… that gives Evidence to the Truth of all that goes before: When there is ſuch a foreign; ſuch an after ſollicitude, and ſerious p. 67afflictive Concernedneſs for the ſinfulneſs and unholineſs of our former Actions and Life; that we can no longer endure that State, or Courſe, in regard of the very anguiſh, and trouble of Thoughts upon us; as it alſo iſſues into a ſtrict Care and Government over all our Future Actions, to keep them within the Holy Rule and Government of the Word of God, the Laws of Holineſs, and of Obedience to him: And herewith is joyned a foreign; ſuch an After-mind, ſuch an After-counſel, ſuch Second Thoughts as change the whole Purpoſe and Manner of Life: Matt. 3.8.Matt 3:8ſuch an engaging the Heart to approach to God, Jere. 30.21.Jer 30:21So that the True Penitent is prepared, and actually brings forth Fruits meet for Repentance, and amendment of life. Acts 26.20.Acts 26:20There is a turning from Darkneſs; that is, from the whole Night of Ignorance, Injudicious Mind, Unholineſs of Action, Sinfulneſs of Life, under a continued Night, and Darkneſs; to Light; that is, to a true ſound Judgment and Mind, …ven the Spirit of a ſound Mind, and rightly Inform'd Ʋnd…rſtanding; to an high and perfect ſenſe of things, and to an univerſal Holineſs, Purity and …leanſ…dneſs from all filthineſs of Fleſh and Spirit; and ſo a perfecting of Holineſs in the fear of God: 2 Cor. 7.1.2 Cor 7:1a juſt Account of …he Time paſt, as that which may have much more than ſufficed, to have wrought the Will of the Gentiles, and to have ſpent in the Luſts of our Ignorance, and now we are wholly Dedicated to God.

p. 68This is the Noble Grace of Repentance, that is, indeed, to ſalvation, and never to be repented of: So wonderful and admirable a Contrivance of the Grace of God, and ſuch an Illuſtſtration thereof, that Angels, even the whole Heaven. Rejoyceth over one ſinner that repents, more than over Ninety Nine juſt perſons that need no Repentance: That is, there is a greater Reſplendency, and ſhining out of the Glory of the Divine Compaſſion, and Efficacious Power of his Spirit in Repentance, than even in an Innocent State. It is the Joyful Aſtoniſhment of Angels and Saints: They adore, and throw their Crowns before God, even the Crowns of Angelical Perfection; Luke 15.10.Luke 15:10and adore the Infinite and Incomprehenſible Mystery of the Divine Will; that when the ſinning Angels had no allowance of after, or ſecond thoughts; of after-care; or judging better, of an after-mind, but are under Final Impenitency, and in Chains of Darkneſs, to the Judgment of the Great Day, when Repentance to Life is granted to men.

The Lord hath been pleas'd to bring out of that Reprobate Silver in it ſelf ſuch Veſſels of Mercy, Jerem. 6.30.Jer 6:30which he had before Prepared to Glory; 2 Tim. 2.212 Tim 2:21making them by Repentance Veſſels meet for the masters uſe, prepared to every good Work; and who herein yeild this great Glory to Righteouſneſs, and H…lyneſs, that upon full J…dgment and Experiment made; They imcomparably prefer Holyneſs to all the Pleaſures of Sin, that are but for a ſeaſon; and chooſe even the bitter Draught, if I may ſo ſpeak, the bitter Waters of Repentance, p. 69before the Intoxicating Cup of the Pleaſures of Sin that are but for a ſeaſon; and ſtand for ever obliged and deeplyeſt indebted to true Grace, that not only their after thoughts, and Judgment in Repentance are accepted; but that they are Retriev'd by the E…cacious Operations of it to Newneſs of Life.

General 2d, I have thus far open'd the Nature of Rep…n…ance, by conſidering the ſtrict, and preciſe Notion of it, and ſhewing how excellent, admirable, and even noble a Grace, this Evangelical Grace is, even in that ſtrict and preciſe Notion: I will now go on to conſider it in the excellent motives, and Incentives to it; that will further ſhew the excellency of its Nature, and then the ſignes of its Truth, that it is Repentance of the true Alloy; the truly excellent Nature under that great ſign, It is Repentance to Salvation, and that is never to be Repented of, which is the Second General under this Third Head in the Doctrin of Repentance.

Particular 1. I begin with Motives to this true Repentance, wherein I Record theſe following, of which I will but briefly ſpeak, having already comprehended much of them: And as they are motives, ſo they are to be look'd upon as the higheſt means, and inſtructions, fitted by God for Repentance; and the Soul accordingly is to apply and ſtretch forth it ſelf in the uſe of them.

1. The principal, not Motive, but Mover is the Supreme Grace and Operation of the Divine Spirit, p. 70who ſi…s as a Refiners Fire, and F…llers Soap within the Temple of the Soul; Malac. 4.2. Zech. 12.10 Eſay 4.4.Mal 4:2Zech 12:10Isa 4:4is a Spirit of Grace, and of Supplication, a Spirit of Judgment and Burning, waſhing away the Filthineſs of the Fleſh, and of the Spirit; The divine Spirit is the great Superintendent of the Grace, and Work of Rep…n…ance, by his inward Motives, and Overſhaddowings of the Soul; For ſeeing Repentance is the Gift and Grant of God; Acts 11.18. 2 Tim. 2.25. Luke 11.20.Acts 11:182 Tim 2:25Luke 11:20the Divine Spirit, that is the Power and Finger of God, muſt needs be the Supreme Operator: What the Love of God is the Fountain of in the Divine Operation; that the Spi…it of God, by whom, the laſt Operation, and …ffect is in every thing perfected, is the immediate Hand and Finger that b…ings it to p…ſs; and ſo what Jeſus Chriſt is a Prince to Gi…e; that which is his, the Riches, the P…chaſe of his Redemption; his Spirit is ſent, John 16.15.John 16:15he ſends him in the Fathers Name, to take of it, and to give it to …is R…d…emed. Repentance therefore being the …urchaſe of the Re…emption of Chriſt, he gives it as …he Fruit of that Redemption, and whence elſe ſhould Repentance ariſe? For except by vertue of the Redemption of Chriſt, it were Created and Lorn with us, It is no… in a…y Created Power to raiſe, or to bring it forth; That belongs to the all Crea…ing Power: That Chriſt hath ſhored up the Moral Faculties ſo far, as to preſerve the poſſibilities of Repentance is Evident; and to his Glory be it declared; That by him the ſame motions and endeavours; that Natural Conſcience hath p. 71to Holyneſs, and Righteouſneſs before ſin; the ſame it hath to Repentance after ſin; and ſo even as in ſinning, ſo in not Repenting the Impenitent Sinner is moſt righteoſly Condemned.

But even as a Man cannot exert, nor put forth his Faculties to Holineſs, and Righteouſneſs before ſin without a Reg…neration, and new Creation; even ſo can he not after ſin, either, as it is habitu…l in his Nature, or as he is fallen by innumerable Actual Sins, return by Repentance, except by the ſpeci…l Aſſiſtances of Divine Grace, and Almighty Power.

For ſurely, as nothing lies for ever in a ſtate of nothing, except an almighty moover gives Being from himſelf; ſo Impenitency lies for ever in a ſtate of Impenitency, except an infinite Spirit of Grace give Repentance to …ife; which ſhews, that mankind ſtands in no other ſtate for Repentance, than it does to Holineſs, and Righteouſneſs; There is that preſerv'd in him, that ſhews the goodneſs of both, and moves him to both; but how to Perform in either he finds not, but as he is Aſſiſted by Infi…ite Grace, and by an Infinite Spirit: And this ſhews Supremacy of Grace, diſtinguiſhing between thoſe, to whom it gives Repentance unto Life, and to whom it does not give; even …s it deſtinguiſh…s between thoſe, to whom it gives Regeneration, Renovation, new Creation to Holineſs, and Righteouſneſs; and to whom it does not give.

For except theſe, even Repentance, new Crea…n, Reg…n…ra…ion, were ſo by Chriſt communicated to our very Natures; that every man had them by the very Grace of con…i…ing Cre…tion; except he p. 72Loſt it for himſelf (as Adam did Original Righteouſneſs for himſelf, and his Poſterlty) which no man will dare to aſſert; it is ſo evident to the contrary; elſe what is not, never will be; and what is at Reſt will never move, except an Almighty Mover give it Motion.

For though, it is true; the Engrafted Notions of Righteouſneſs, and Holineſs, firſt; and then of Repentance in caſe of ſin, or Fall have a Reſidence in the very Spirit of Man, or Human Nature; except utterly quench'd by a Malice even Diabolical as in the ſin againſt the Divine Spirit; yet they cannot riſe beyond themſelves to true Repentance, without a new Donation from God and Chriſt by the Holy Spirit; and only ſhew the exceeding firſt Corruption, and Degeneracy of Human Nature and aggravate Condemnation, in that they reach not that end, they ſhould reach to, nor indeed to their own utmoſt poſſibility; but men are condemn'd, and depriv'd of further Grace by not improving the Talent given to them, ſo far as they indeed might.

But from all this it ariſes, that the Supreme Mover in true Repentance, is the Holy Spirit of Grace; and if there be any appearance of Repentance, that is not a Repentance given from the Divine Spirit; it is not the Repentance to Salvation, not to be Repented of, but a ſemblance and Counterfeit only of it.

Now in this point, I have been the larger, be cauſe I had not before ſpoken to it: I ſhall but juſt name th…ſe following, becauſe I have before comprehended them in former Particulars.

p. 732. The ſenſe of our own loſt condition without Repentance is generally the firſt motive to Repentance; in which regard our Lord pronounces once, and again; except ye Repent, you ſhall all Periſh, …uke 13.3.5. Repent, and turn your ſelves, ſo iniquity ſhall not be your ruin: Caſt away your Tranſgreſſions, make you a new Heart and a new Spirit; for why will you Die? Implying this as the great motive to Repentance; that without it we muſt needs Die, Ezek. 18.30. Acts 17.31. God commands all Men every where to Repent; becauſe he hath appointed a day, wherein he will Judg the World: The conſideration of a Judgment, to wit, of Condemnation upon an Impenitent Perſon as one great motive to Repentance.

God is pleas'd therefore generally to uſher in Repentance by a ſhaking, an Earthquake in the Soul, ſhewing it the Horrors of Wrath and eternal Puniſhment; which is call'd the Spirit of Bondage, Rom. 8.15. For that Law of Self-preſervation being ſeated ſo deep in Man; the fear of an evil ſo Deſtructive to …our Beings, as wrath to come, and the eternal Diſpleaſure of the Supreme Being; Nothing moves ſo ſtrongly and powerfully, nothing makes ſo violent concuſſions in the Heart of Man, as theſe deep apprehenſions, or tears up the very Roots of that old ſinful Frame, and make it fly every way, to change its Scituation, and Poſture for the avoiding of that Diſpleaſure: Thus Nineveh affrightned with that preſent dreadful D…nunciation of Judgment, turn'd it ſelf every way to Attonement with God; although the Judgment then Denounc'd did not r…ach to Everlaſting Punniſhment; how much more do the Apprehenſions of Wrath p. 74to come, and ever to come, as was before obſerved of it, move? And though this is not the higheſt, and nobleſt Kind of Motive; yet it is ſuch as our Lord earneſtly, and doubly recommends to his Friends. I ſay unto you my Freinds, fear not them that kill the Body, and have no more that they can do;Luke 12.14.Luke 12:14 but I will forewarn you whom you ſhall fear; fear him that after he hath kill'd, hath power to cast into Hell, yea, I ſay unto you, fear him.

3. The ſo gre…t Aſſurance God hath given in Jeſus Chriſt the Mediator, and Redeemer, that our ſ…s ſhall be Pardoned upon our Repentance, is a moſt excellent motiv… to Repentance, and follows the former; as that ſtill Voice, wherein God is, did the …arthquake, 1 King… c 19.12. This Aſſurance is that, which gives Life, and Spirit to Repentance, and alſo the true Eva…gelical Sweetneſs, and Divine Temper to i…; which elſe would turn into the Horrors of Cain and Eſau, which afterwards relaps'd into a Wor…ly ſ…curity, ſenſeleſneſs▪ and ſenſi…ility; for Cain went out from the P…eſe ce of the Lord▪ Gen. 4.15. c. 36.15.Gen 4:15and dwelt in the Land of Nod, and fell to Building: Eſau b…came a grea… Earthly Prince, and Fa…her to many D…kes, without any further thought of the Birthrig…t, or Bleſſing; or elſe the ho …ors ariſing from the ſenſe of ſin, and Divine D…ſpleaſure turn into the D…ſpair of Saul, and Judas, …at are but the for…caſts of Hell, and everlaſting ſ…p… a…ion from the preſence of God, and the light of his Countenance. This ſenſe of the p. 75Love, and Favor of God in Chriſt, is that which draws the Soul, by the melting, and diſſolving that Stony Heart, and making that stiff Neck, and Iron Sinnew to be ready, and pliant to all Holy Rules, and Heavenly Motions; and ſweetens fear, ſorrow, and horror into Love, and Reverence, and filial diſp…ſitions to Obedience; while there are any beginnings of ſhedding abroad the Love of God in the Heart, and when the Love of Chriſt begins to Constrain us: This glance of the Eye of Chriſt on Peter wi…h Love and Grace, made him go out and weep bitterly; this ſenſe of Mercy humbled David, and Diſtill'd into all thoſe Heavenly Penitential Expreſſions, we have Pſal. 51.

4. When, by the grace of God, the Heart is deeply Aff…cted with the ſight of the great Evil, abominable Foulneſs, and Hatefulneſs of ſin; and with the Beauty of Holineſs; this is a moſt effective motive to Repentance; when we are ſtruck with the ſenſe of the Intrinſ ck ſhamefulneſs of every evil way, the falſeneſs of thoſe appearances of good, that a…e found upon ſin, but wer… an Inheritance of Lies; it makes us hate every falſe way, and caſt away the Things, that can yeild no true good or prof…; and of which we have reaſon for ever …o be aſham…d; the end of which is Death, Rom. 6. Through the word of thy Lips I keep my ſ…lf f…m the Paths of the Deſtroyer. Pſal. 17.4. Through thy Precepts I get underſtanding, therefore I hate every falſe way. Thy word is very pure, theref…re thy ſ…rvant loveth it. I h…ve found thy Precepts concerning all things to be right, and I hate every falſe way. The righteouſneſs of thy Teſtimonies is everlasting, p. 76give me understanding, and I ſhall live, Pſalm 119. The Law of the Lord is right, converting the ſoul; the testimony of the Lord is ſure, making wiſe the ſimple; the Statutes of the Lord are right, rejoycing the heart. How ſweet are thy words to my taſte? ſweeter than honey to my mouth. Moreover, by them is thy ſervant warned, and in the keeping of them there is great reward, Pſalm 19, All theſe are Expreſſions of the mighty Power of Holineſs moving to Repentance; from the Beauty and Amiableneſs of it ſelf, and the Odiouſneſs of Contrary Sin and Evil.

5. The Word of God, throughout all theſe, is the Inſtrument of the Holy Spirit; and with the Variety of its Divine Repreſentations, Collects, and Diffuſes into the Soul, and Univerſ…l Spirit of a Man, being ſuited to every Faculty and Affection, the Reaſons and mighty Efficacies …oth of Fear and Hope; viz. the Wrath and Indignation againſt ſin; of Grace and Mercy in Chriſt to the truly Repenting ſinner; and together with them, the Beauty of Holineſs, and the Hatefulneſs of Sin. For the Word of God is the Sword of the Spirit, executing Vengeance on ſin, and yet ſparing the Humble Returning ſinner, and effectually moving him by it to Repentance.

6. The ſixth, and laſt Motive I ſhall uſe, is the true Conſider tion of the Goſpel ſtate, both as it is now, and as it ſhall be in its Glorious Manifeſtation: For that being a ſtate ſo New, and ſo different from the preſent ſtate of Sin, and Fleſh, and Corruption, we can never be ſuited to it but by this great Change, by Repentance for it: the putting off p. 77the Old Man, which is corrupt, according to its deceitful Luſts, Epheſ. 4.22, 23.Eph 4:22Eph 4:23and putting on the New Man, which is renewed after God, in Knowledge, Righteouſneſs, and true Holineſs, is moſt abſolutely neceſſary to enjoy this Kingdom: And this is the Truth of Repentance; It is the having ſuch an Eye upon him,2 Cor. 5.15.2 Cor 5:15 who is Riſen from the Dead, and to the Reſurrection of the Dead it ſelf, as to know neither Perſons, nor Things, as we knew them before, after the Fleſh. On this account our Lord ſent John as an Herald before him, preaching, and ſaying, Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. And as ſoon as John had finiſh'd his Miniſtry of Repentance, to ſhew it was not only the Meſſage of the Fore runner, but of the Lord himſelf, whoſe way he was to prepare. Jeſus himſelf from that time, began to preach, and to ſay, Repent; for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand, Matth. 3.1. c. 4.17. he ſhewed to us, this New ſtate requires New Perſons, New Hearts and Spirits, New Lives and Actions, to lay the Foundations and Beginnings of it here, and now; and that it may break out into Salvation, and Glory, at the Glory of that Kingdom: That it may be ſo tryed now, as to be found unto Honour, Praiſe, and Glory, at the appearance of Jeſus Chriſt.

I come now to the ſecond part of this General, viz. to diſcourſe the ſigns of the ſincerity of this Repentance, under that great Note, and moſt ſignal Character of it, That it is Repentance to ſalvation, never to be repented of. Which gives theſe Four great Characters as ſigns of it.

p. 781. Repentance that is not to be Repented of, muſt leave no known evil or ſin unrepented of: For then that ſin ſo eats into the very heart of ſuch Repentance, that it needs to be begun a-new, and to be entred upon a-freſh, being not through, and ſincere, and therefore falſe and counterfeit: This makes Scripture ſo often inſiſt upon the through amending our ways and doings; and returning to God, Jerem. 7.5. Acts 3.26. Pſal. 66.18.Jer 7:5Acts 3:26Ps 66:18not feignedly, but with the whole heart. And Chriſt bleſſes in turning away from every one of our Iniquities. If I regard Iniquity, viz. any Iniquity, in my heart, the Lord will not hear me. The leaving of one ſin unrepented of, makes a man d…uble-minded, and ſo unſtable in all his ways, James 1.8Jas 1:8who can obtain nothing of the Lord. He miſſes that Great Wiſdom, that after-mind, or Wiſdom of True Repentance: David in the ſenſe of this ſo earneſtly prays; Search me, Oh God, Try my Reins, Pſal. 139.Ps 139and my Thoughts; and ſee if there he any evil way in me, and lead me in the wa… everlasting: And to ſhew his ſincerity, he ſays, All my ways are before thee: James 2.10.Jas 2:10As he therefore that breaketh one Command, is Guilty of all; ſo he that repents not of all, truly repents of none:Matrh. 5.19. Pſalm 18.23.Ps 18:23 He that breaks one of theſe leaſt Commands, and teacheth men ſo ſhall be call'd leaſt in the Kingdom of Heaven I was upright before him, and kept my ſelf from my Iniquity. By all this, and many mo… ſuch like Scriptures, it is moſt evident, a Repentance not to be Repented p. 79of, requires Ʋniverſality: For willfully miſſing in one ſin, or Duty, it betrays it ſelf inſincere throughout, every way; it hath forgotten it ſelf, if it neglect any one known Grace. Such a Repentance is blind, and cant look affar off and ſee every way.

2. It is a perſevering continuing Repentance, that is never to be repented of. It muſt go on; it Renews and repeats it ſelf, but never is ſo to be repented of, as to be revers'd, repented, or recall'd. It goes on even till it touches, and even enters into ſalvation it ſelf: For it is better not to have known the ways of Righteouſneſs, 2 Peter 2.21, 22.2 Pet 2:212 Pet 2:22than having known them, to depart from the holy Commandment given to us. For to ſuch it happens, according to the true Proverb: The Dog is returned to his Vomit, and the Swine that was waſhed, to her wallowing again in the mire.

He that hath truly repented, finds ſuch ſatisfaction in his Repentance, that as the upright man, he holds on his way, Job 17.9.Job 17:9and grows ſtronger and ſt…onger in it. And in caſe of any Falls or Returns to former ſins, there is both a daily Renewal, and p…rf…c…g of R…pentance for leſſer Failings, and ſ… …et Faults; and more ſolemn for greater Sins and …alls. The true Repenting Soul is as the …ight th…t ſhines more and more to the perfect Day. Prov. 4.10.Prov 4:10But the falſe Penitent waſheth in Darkneſs, and kno…s not at what he ſtumbles.

Thus true Repentance knows not, finds not any Reaſon of calling …ack, or Repenting of it ſelf, either as if there had not been Reaſon, or greateſt advantage in Repenting in General; or as if it had p. 80nor been true, of the right kind, like precious Repentance (as the Apoſtle ſpeaks of Faith) with that of all Saints.

There may be indeed in the ſincere Servants of God, ſome Fears, Miſgivings, Suſpicions ariſing from Godly Jealouſie; but in ſuch Tryals ſincere Repentance, after ſome time, comes forth, as Silver out of the Furnace, more pure and refined. Or theſe Doubts may ariſe from Temptation, or Gods ſeeming forſaking, or Deſertion, or from the Weakneſs of Repentance in its Beginnings. But this is but as the ſmoaking Flax, or the Bruiſed Reed, which Chriſt will not quench, nor break, but will ſend forth Judgment to Victory, in the behalf of ſuch his Servants.

So this Repentance is not to be begun again, and to be repented of, as a falſe, inſincere Repentance is; but to be vindicated and cleared, as the Sun covered with a Cloud, that is yet the true Light of the World; however it have been ſhaded, or obſcured; and as the true Fire, that ſhall never be put out, or reputed Falſe, as a Glow-worm Light, or Fooliſh Fire, however it may be hidden ſometimes as under the ſmo…k.

3. Repentance not to be repented of, is effective, and produces that great Change; that as heretofore men yeilded up their Members, as Instruments of Ʋnrighteouſntſs to unholineſs, and uncleanneſs, and to Iniquity unto Iniquity; Rom. 6.16.Rom 6:16ſo now the… yeild their Members, as Inſtruments of Holineſs unto Righteouſneſs: and as heretofore they were Free from Righteouſneſs, as being the Servants of Sin; ſo now they are free from ſin, and p. 81become the Servants of Righteouſneſs: Such an effectual Repentance, of which, not the Speech, and Word, and Profeſſion, but the Power is known; needs not to be begun, but to be proceeded in, to be conſummated. But a Repentance that can do nothing, that cannot change a man's Way, nor Courſe, but he remains under the ſame ſins; ſo that he hath forgotten (he can forget it,) that he was purg'd from his old ſins: 2 Peter 1.9. Heb. 6.1.2 Pet 1:9Heb 6:1ſuch Repentance needs indeed to have the Foundations laid anew: and as a great Error, a great ſin in Repentance, to be repented of indeed; as moſt Ruinous, Pſalm 75.57.Ps 75:57as well as moſt Falſe and Deceitful; and ſtarting from its End, as a broken Bow from the Mark.

4. The Repentance not to be repented of, gives ſome of the F…retaſts, and happy Dawns of ſalvation it ſelf; ſiilling the Soul with the Joy unſpeakable, and full of Glory.

For when t…e Apoſtle deſcribes Repentance unto Salvation; it does not only ſhew the bleſſed Fruit, and conſequence of Repentance; but it alſo defines and diſtinguiſhes Repentance, that is true, and ſincere, from what is Falſe and Counterfeit: Now ſeeing Repentance, tho it be to Salvation, cannot be known to be ſo, till it lay actual hold of Salvation; except it have ſome what of the Joy of Salvation; except there …e a Life in the Hope it gives; except there be a Witneſs riſing from it: Therefore herein there muſt needs be a diſtinguiſhing Character of true Repentance, and a ſign of it, that contrary to the ſorrow of the World, that p. 82worketh Death, and caſts a ſhade of Death; Repentance to Salvation hath ſome Precurſory, or before Hand-Rayes, and Dawns of that Salvation; the Effect of the Righteouſneſs of Repentance is that particular Fruit of Righteouſneſs, Eſay 32.17. Heb. 12.11.Isa 32:17Heb 12:11even Peace and Aſſurance for ever. There is ſome Portion of the hidden Manna, and caſt of the white Stone, ſome of the Fruit of the Tree of Life in the midſt of the Paradiſe of God; and even in any of the ſadneſſes of the Servants of God, by reaſon of Afflictions, Temptations, any Agonies of Conſcience, Deſertions; there is Light in the midſt of that Darkneſs; whereas in the falſe Joys of counterfeit Repentance, there are ſuch either preſumptuous ſenſual Intermixtures, or ſuch a want of true Spiritual Light, that the midſt of that Joy is Heavineſs. But the Fruit of this Repentance is that Peace of God that paſſeth all understanding; Phil. 4.7.Phil 4:7guarding the Heart and Mind through Jeſus Chriſt.

5. To all theſe, both Motives, Means, and Signs of Repentance, muſt be always added, Prayer; even, all Prayer, and Supplication with Perſeverance, and continuance therein; even to extraordinary Watchings and Faſtings, as occaſion requires, Epheſ. 6.18. Coloſ. 4.2. Luke 11.9. For as the Soul in Prayer and Supplication feels the ſtrong motions, and excitations of Repentance by; ſetting before our ſelves, and making cloſe Applications of our ſelves to; the great conſiderations of God, of Chriſt, of Sin, of Holineſs, of Eternal Happineſs, and Miſery; ſo herein is the earneſtneſs of Supplication, p. 83asking, ſeeking, and knocking, for the Holy Spirit, engaged, and employ'd; as knowing him the ſupreme Mover, Principle, and efficient of Repentance; and the Divine Spirit, coming down to Dwell in the Spirit of the true Penitent, and ſhedding its efficacies, and operations in it, as a Spirit of Grace, and Supplication, ſeals to the Soul the truth of Repentance, and becomes a ſpiritual viſible ſign, and evidence of the Truth of it; as Chriſt ſays of Paul upon Repentance, behold he Prayeth, Acts 9.11.

6. Some Great, and Heroick Acts, and Effects of Repentance according to the Ability, and Opportunity of Perſons; and according to the Sins, perſons have been guilty of, before Repentance, are ſometimes abſolutely neceſſary Evidences of the Truth of Repentance; and ſometimes Illuſtrious, and extraordinary Signals of the mighty Power, and Force, and largeneſs of Efficacy in this grace of Repentance; where it meets with Subjects, whom God by outward enablements of Providence, as well as inward Grace, and Power hath fitted hereunto. Such are in caſes of great Scandal, and publick Offence publick and open Confeſſions of ſin; endeavours, and cloſe Applications upon Perſons, that have been of the knot, and fellowſhip of our ſins, or private Parties, and confederates in them, moving them by all the Sentiments of our Minds, and the Affections of our Hearts to Repentance; ſollemn Faſtings and Humiliations, with uſual Watchings, not only for the Taming, bringing Down, and Abaſing of our ſelves, and by the acknowledgment of our own unworthineſs p. 84of the leaſt of Mercies; and that we are worthy of Wrath, and Judgment only, and to be ſtrip'd of all Enjoyments; but becauſe the Heart is ſo taken up, and engag'd, that it can mind, nor attend, nor be at leiſure for the moſt neceſſary Refreſhing of Bodily Nature; which is made, and taught, and diſciplin'd, as heretofore to ſerve ſin; ſo now to cry out for Mercy, and Pardon, and to undergo the ſeverities of Repentance; and to be brought under to them in extraordinary Weepings according to the moſt Affectionate Emotions of the Soul, and ſuitable Temper of Body.

And ſuch as theſe are alſo the Acts of juſt Reſtitution to perſons injured according to our utmoſt Abilities; or great Alms-givings and acts of Mercy; of which Zaccheus, Luke 19. is a great Example. Great Acts of Service to Jeſus Chriſt in the Salvation of Souls, either by our own perſonal Miniſtry, as Paul ſo zealouſly Preaching the Faith, Gal. 1.23. Pſal. 66.16.Gal 1:23Ps 66:16he once destroyed; or private endeavours, by Holy Diſcourſes, and Declarings, what God hath done for our Souls; by Exhortations and good Counſels, by Holy Examples, by great Liberalities for the promotion of Chriſtianity, and the Powers of it in Repentance, and general Reformation, and bringing in Souls to the moſt publick, open, and notorious renunciations of former ſins, and the very inſtruments of them; of which we have a great example in the burning their Magical Books of ſo great valew, Acts 19.19. Job. 34.31.

p. 85Theſe are not to be Bound, as heavy Burdens to the entanglement, and enthralment of Conſcience, upon All; but according to the opportunities, and advantages Perſons have, their ſtate of Body, temper of Mind, freedom of Time, abilities of Eſtate; and leaving to ſupreme Grace, the giving of various degrees of Grace, and making among the Pleiades, the watry Weeping Stars of Repentance, one Star to differ from another in Glory. But when there is a meeting, and concurrence of all theſe, or an eminency in any; they who can ſhew forth the truth of Repentance in theſe Fruits,Job 38.41. 1 Tim. 3.13.Job 38:411 Tim 3:13 purchaſe to themſelves good Degrees, in the Academy, or School of Repentance, and bring great Honour to Chriſt, and to it; and according to our Talents receiv'd, ſincerity in each of them is eſſential to the truth of our Repentance; and if they are in us, and abound, they make us to be neither Barren, nor Ʋnfruitful in this great Goſpel Grace, given from the Lord Jeſus; but without any trurh of them we are as a Well without Water, Clouds without Rain, frothy Waves, driven of ſome Imaginary, or Earthly Winds and Vapors, Epiſt. Jude v. 12.and toſſed; and in great danger of prooving falling Stars; for whom is reſerv'd the blankneſs of darkneſs for ever.

4th, I come now to the Fourth Head in this Head of the Doctrine of Repentance, viz. The great ſaving benefit, the bleſſing of this Grace, and Gift of Repentance; which hath the upper, and the neither Spings; Joſh. 15.19.Josh 15:19from the neither Springs all gracious Affections, and Fruits of a ſollemn, p. 86and ſerious Reſipiſcency, or growing Wiſe upon ſad Afflicting Remembrances, and reviews of ſinful ways; and the upper Springs of Joy, Peace, Happineſs, and Bleſſedneſs for ever; and eternal Rejoycings, we have ſo Sorrowed, ſo Repented: Of this I will give but a very ſhort Repreſentation, becauſe the enlargement upon it more properly belongs to another grand principle in the Doctrine of Chriſt; and yet what I do ſay, I will endeavor diſtinguiſhingly to Diſcourſe it to the Doctrine of Repentance, and with a peculiarity to it.

1. In that it is Repentance to Salvation, wrought by a ſorrow after God; it is ordain'd by God, as a ſecurity, and preſervative by his eſpecial Grace in Chriſt from everlaſting Weeping, Wailing, and gnaſhing of Teeth: a Repentance without any Fruit, or Effect, but a continual Circulation of it ſelf in Horrors, and fruitleſs renewals, without eaſe, or remedy, without poſſibility of Amendment, of recovery to God, and Holineſs; For in Hell there is no ſuch: Woe therefore to you that Laugh now, without this true Repentance; For you ſhall weep, and weep for ever; it is the ſtate of utter Darkneſs, extremity of Darkneſs, and to extremity of Duration, even Eternal Duration: But true Repentance hath had its Proportion here … this World, of ſorrow that God Accepts in Chriſt and through his Agonies for ſin.

2. It is not only a ſecurity from Damnation, but an aſſurance of a ſtate of Life, Glory, and Bleſſedneſs; For upon this very reaſon, becauſe p. 87God hath Sanctified Repentance to Difference, and ſeparate his Servants by, from all the loſt, and periſhing, Repentance is ſo eminently call'd Repentance unto Salvation; and Repentance unto Life: For when the miſerable, and undone ſhall complain, and endeavour to Impeach the Divine Juſtice, with the Salvation of Sinners, as great, or greater than themſelves, Publicans and Harlots, ſuch as the Apoſtle ſpeaks of, 1 Cor. 6.

When many ſober moral Men, both Heathens, Jews, and Chriſtians are ſhut out from Heaven, Salvation, Life,Matt. 8.11.Matt 8:11 and Happineſs; and fall into the Condemnation of Hell; God juſtifies and Vindicates himſelf by the vaſt Diſtance between the one, and the other, Repentance hath made; which, as it ſhould engage our Thoughts in deep ſearch, what kind of Repentance we have, whether it can make ſuch a Difference; ſo it aſſures us, there is a great excellency and Dignity in true Repentance; when it ſhall be ſeen in the Glory of the Righteouſneſs of Chriſt, wherein it ſhall be diſplay'd, as in its chief Light, Life, and Luſtre.

3. There ſhall never be any cauſe, the leaſt cauſe to look back with ſorrow, or regret, that we loſt any of the pleaſures of Senſe, or of this World; or that we paſs'd through the Severities, or Rigors or Sadneſs of Repentance, or that ſorrow after God, by which it was wrought: And which expreſſes the Bleſſedneſs and Grace of this Repentance much more; we ſhall not look back upon any of the Imperfections, and impure Allays of it, the Vacuities, and Emptineſſes of it, that were p. 88not fill'd up now. For it ſhall, in every regard be filled up to the Higheſt Complement of Perfection. becauſe it is ſurrounded with the Righteouſneſs of Jeſus Chriſt, and Adorn'd with its Rays, and Perfections; and the mighty Operations of the Spirit of Chriſt, holds them faſt in that very moment wherein his ſervants go out of this World; He apprehends them, he holds them in his mighty Hand, and Arm, to perfect them to the Mark, both in their Repentance, and in all other Graces.

4. There ſhall be Everlaſting Joy, Rejoycing and Triumph in the Acceptance of our Repentance by Chriſt: So that all truly Repenting Sinners ſhall ſay with everlaſting Hallalujahs; bleſſed be God, who hath given us Repentance to the Acknowledging of the Truth; whereby we recovered our ſelves from the ſnare of the Devil, when we were taken Captive by him at his Will. Bleſſed be God, 2 Tim. 2.26.2 Tim 2:26who hath granted us Repentance unto Life. Bleſſed be the Lamb, who hath loved and waſhed us from our ſins; and even our Repentance from ſin in his own Blood; that it might, how ere Imperfect, be accepted before him, who ſits on the Throne: Bleſſed be he who as a Prince and Saviour hath given us Repentance and Remiſſion of ſins, Revel. 5.6. Bleſſed be the Eternal Spirit, who as ſeven Spirits before the Throne hath Diffus'd his Graces, and among them this Grace of Repentance, as the Spirit of Grace, and Supplication; Bleſſed be the word of his Grace, that held out Repentance in its whole Circumference and Center: Bleſſed be God for all the Preachers and Miniſters of Repentance; and Bleſſed p. 89of God are our Spirits, and all the Faculties, God hath given them, that Miniſtred each in their courſes to this great Grace, and exerciſe of Repentance; Hallelujah, for ever, and ever.

Head 5th, I come now to the Fifth, and laſt Head in the Doctrine of Repentance, that is, to reduce the Diſcourſe of the Scruples, and Caſes of Conſcience, concerning Repentance; that have not yet fallen under any proper reſolution; to this great Doctrine, as I have now laid it down:

Herein I ſhall propoſe only theſe three as neceſſary to be more fully Debated; any other, that have Repreſented themſelves to my thoughts I have already laid in Proviſion for the ſatisfying them, in the plain Doctrine of Repentance; eaſing the ſcruples, without expreſs naming them.

Quer. 1. Whether Repentance, wrought by ſorrow after God, be not either unneceſſary; ſeeing there is full ſatisfaction for ſin, and Redemption for it in the …lood of Chriſt: Or, 2dly, If it muſt be acknowledged neceſſary, whether it does not derogate from the Freeneſs of Grace, and the Fulneſs and Perfection of Redemption in that Blood; and ſo entrench upon Faith alone in it.

Quer. 2. Whether our Repentance is not made ſubject to Human Judgment in two Caſes?

1. To the Judgment of Miniſters, or (as men ſpeak of the Church) ſeeing ſo many expreſſions of Chriſt ſeem to ſuſpect it there; whoſe ſins ſo p. 90ever you remit, Matt. 16.19. c. 18.18. John 20.23Matt 16:19John 20:23they are remitted, and whoſe ſins you retain, they are retained.

2. When our ſins are Treſpaſſes, and Injuries againſt Men, whether, if they do not forgive us, it be not a prejudice, and Bar to Divſne Forgiveneſs; yea though we have but griev'd, ſcandaliz'd; or eſpecially drawn them into ſin by our example, or even ſollicitation, and temptation to ſin, ſeeing ſome Scriptures command us to Agree with our Adverſaries, &c. To leave our gift before the Altar, Matt. 5.23, 24, c. 18.15. &c.

Anſwer 1. Sorrow for ſin, and Repentance are by no means to be look'd upon as ſeparate from the Blood and Redemption of the Lord Jeſus; but as flowing from it, and Ordain'd by God, in the hand of the Mediator; who truly gives it, waſhes it in his own Blood, and as the great High Prieſt, Offers it with the Incenſe, Oyntments, and rich Perfumes of his own Holineſs, Righteouſneſs, and Purity. He Promotes, Advances, and gives Grace of a continual Renewing of it. And this is the true account of the room and place all Graces have in the Covenant of Grace; ſo that though they are required of us, as indiſpenſable Duties, and even, as it were, Conditions of the Covenant of Grace on our parts; and we are ſpoken to in a way of Rational and Intellectual manner of Exhortations, Counſels, Reproofs, Promiſes, Threatnings; yet theſe are all but inſtrumental Conveyances of the Efficacies of the Spirit of our great Melchiſedec, who bleſſes his People in turning them every one from their Iniquities. p. 91Even from every one of their own Iniquities; and makes up, whatever is wanting in the ſeverities, or Powers of Holineſs in Repentance, by his own Sufferings and Obedience. And thus the weight of the Covenant, that ſhall never be found fault with, becauſe the Covenantees brake it, is ſuſpended upon him, that is mighty; the Nail fasten'd in a place ſo ſure, that the weight of not only Cups, but Flagons, Veſſels, of all Quantities, both the Iſſue, and the Off-ſpring, reſt ſecure upon him, even to Eternity, Eſay 22.23. And thus Diſcourſing of Repentance, it can be no derogation, either in the ſorrowing, nor the Reforming Parts of it.

Anſw. 2. The Adminiſtration of the Church, or of the Paſtors, or Elders (who are alſo the Evangelical Biſhops,) hath no other Power but of Miniſtry in the Declaring, and Applying, as they find juſt occaſion, all the Promiſes to the True and ſincere Repenters; and the Denunciations, and threatnings to the Obdurate, Obſtinate and Impenitent Sinners, and on Inſincere Repentance; and if they do this Errante Clave, not according to the Truth of the Goſpel, it neither Binds on Earth, nor in Heaven; elſe the Power of the Church, or the Miniſters were Deſpotic, and Lordly; they would Exerciſe Authority to purpoſe, which Chriſt ſays, They ſhall not; nor be accounted Evergetae Indulgers of a Repentance, however but Counterfeit, or Inſincere; or on the other ſide Dominate over true Repentanc, Luke 22.25. They have no Dominion over their Faith, no more have they over their Repentance; but are helpers of their Joy, or Godly ſorrow; and the Publiſhers of the Wrath to p. 92come on all obstinate Sinners, or Hypocritical Repenters, 2 Cor. 1.24. c. 10.6.

Anſw. 3. Although it is indeed the Duty of a ſincere Penitent to Ask Forgiveneſs of thoſe, whom they have offended, either by Injury, or Scandal; and to make all the Spiritual Reparations, they can in caſe of Scandal; and in and by this Worlds goods, as they are able, in caſe of that Kind of Injuries; Yet it is alſo the Duty of thoſe, who are, or have been ſo Treſpaſs'd upon either way, to Forgive and under that higheſt Obligation; that except they ſo forgive, as They are Commanded, their Heavenly Father will not forgive them their Treſpaſſes.

But whether they do according to their Duty, or do not; God retains thoſe ſupreme Keys of Pardon of ſin, and Abſolution of the Penitent in his own Hand; and he hath the right, and juſt Title ſo to do; For he is the not only Law-Giver Paramount, and if there be no Law of his broken, there is no Tranſgreſſion; but if he Pardons, and Juſtifies, none can condemn; Tranſgreſſion is Cover'd, and taken away, whether men forgive, or not; elſe they could not be Bleſſed, to whom he imputes not ſin, if men had power ſtill to Impute it: And laſtly he is the Sovereign Proprietor; the Offender, and the Offended are alike his: They are both not only his Vaſſals, but have Forfeited themſelves and their All, to his Juſtice; upon all theſe Accounts, David ſaid, againſt thee, Pſal. 51.4.Ps 51:4thee only have I ſinned, and not againſt Ʋriah; but in ſuch an Inferiority, as that my offence againſt him is Bound or p. 93Looſed, as thou Pardoneſt; ſo then if God Pardons, though Ʋriah's Family, or Poſterity, or himſelf (if he could have ſurviv'd) had not Pardon'd; yet God would be Justified in Speaking, or declaring, David a Pardon'd Sinner; and clear in Judging him ſo, in ſo taking away his Iniquity, that he ſhould not Dye for it. And this is the true ſenſe of that great Penetential acknowledgment of David, and not any intention of ſetting himſelf up in his Royal Dignity, as above the general, and ordinary Rank of Sinners, or Offenders. He had ſomething elſe to do, when he was thus humbling himſelf before God, and beſeeching mercy, than to Magnify himſelf above his fellow Creatures: He was laying faſt hold of Infinite Power, and Grace, and Pardon; and from which there was no Appeal: For unto thee Lord, belongs Mercy uncontrollable, who haſt the Ultimate Judicature of Rendring to the Treſpaſſor, and Treſpaſſed according to their Works.

Now, Seeing the generality of Chriſtians, truſt to Death-Bed-Repentance, I ſhould give a Reſolution to that great, and concernful Queſtion; whether there be a poſſibility of a Sinner, and ſaving Death-Bed-Repentance. But in anſwer to that there is added unto this Treatiſe of Repentance a Diſcourſe Printed ſeveral years ago of the ſame ſenſe and Spirit with this Doctrine of Repentance; and is therefore under review, and as in ſecond Edition preſented with it: I will therefore conclude this with ſome few and ſhort Practical Inferences, the whole being compos'd to Uſe and Practiſe.

p. 94Infer. 1. How admirably Wiſe, and Holy is God in his Grace, Mercy, and Pardoning Goodneſs! He is not Looſe, or Prodigal in his Forgiveneſs, but hath provided this Admirable Grace, and Duty of Repentance, to ſhew; that as he does not cut off Awes of him, and Reverential Returns to him, by offering no Mercy, but giving up to Deſpair; ſo he does not turn Wild the Hearts, and Conſciences of them, whom he Pardons, by Licentious Forgiveneſs, but ſo ſtated, and bounded that his Grace may not be turn'd to Wantonneſs.

And this is the Name of God in the Redeemer, he is a Holy, and wiſe Redeemer; he does not Redeem without Repentance, he hath upon him the Spirit of Wiſdom, and Ʋnderſtanding, and of the Fear of the Lord; he is quick of Ʋnderſtanding in the Fear of the Lord; he does not judg after the ſight of the Eyes, nor Reprove after the hearing of the Ears. But righteouſneſs is the girdle of his Loyns, and Faithfulneſs the girdle of his Reines, Eſay 11.2. Let us then aright underſtanding this Wiſe Grace of the Goſpel, as not take Sacriregiouſly out of it theſe Richeſt Jewels of its Wiſdom, and Holyneſs; denying Repentance in either our Doctrine, and Principles, or in our Lives and Practiſe.

Infer. 2. Seeing God hath not only in his Goſpel, but by the very Law, and, as I may call it, Goſpel of Natural Conſcience, Commanded all Men every where to Repent; and Becauſe, that is, not full enough, clear enough to lead to true ſaving Repentance; he hath therefore written it to us with the Sun-beam of his Goſpel; let us therefore p. 95think, If it be Intollerable for Tyre and Sidon; for Pagans, and Indians, in the Day of Judgment; How much more will it be for us in that day? For if they are Condemned, who have not Comported with ſo clear, ſo abſolutely neceſſary, ſo Wiſe, ſo Holy, ſo every way Rational, Gracious, Inviting Doctrine, made known to be ſo, by a much dimmer Light, what will be done to us, who have not been drawn and led to it by ſo Glorious Rayes of the Sun of Righteouſneſs; whom ſuch Riches of Goodneſs have not led to Repentance?

Infer. 3. How Adorable is the Grace of God in Jeſus Chriſt, who hath not only given us the Doctrine of Repentance, but by his Spirit gives the very Grace it ſelf! He hath put no Truſt in our own Powers of Ʋnderſtanding, Will, Affections, Natural Conſcience, Reaſon, or Morality, but only in his own Spirit, and Grace in his Son; nor doth he Accept our Repentance upon its worth, valew, perfection; but wraps it up in the rich Robes of the Righteouſneſs of Jeſus Chriſt, and ſo it is pleaſing in his ſight; ſo he does not leſſen, nor derogate from the graciouſneſs of his Goſpel by Impoſing ſuch a Duty; But he magnifies it by giving ſo high, and admirable a Grace and Divine Power within us.

Infer. 4. Seeing Repentance is a Grace of ſuch truly Evangelical Excellencies; ſo agreeable to the Infinite Wiſdom, and Holineſs, as well as Mercy, and Compaſſion of the Redeemer; let us trie this Gold in the Fire of ſevereſt ſearch, and examination by the p. 96Goſpel Light, that we may not be pleaſed, and contented with a Counterfeit, with any other Repentance, than that unto Salvation, not to be Repented of; Leaſt we for ever Repent of our Repentance, in Hell, where there is no place of Evangelical, ſaving Repentance; but of that only, which is a barren Fiery Horror, and Deſpaire ſcorching the Conſcience for ever, and not allaying it with a Drop of Water to Cooll outragious Tongue;Luke 16.24.Luke 16:24 Blaſpheming at the ſame time God, and Chriſt; and our impenitent ſelves, who would not Repent, while we had ſpace, and place for our Repentance.

Infer. 5. Let us by all the moſt moving Conſiderations of the Evil of ſin, the hatefulneſs and unreaſonableneſs of it; the ſenſe of the Goodneſs, and Grace of God in Chriſt; all his Judgments, all his Mercies; the ſenſe of an Eternal Miſery, and Punniſhment from his Preſence; be ſtrongly mov'd, excited, ſtirr'd, and led to Repentance.

Infer. 6. Let us rejoyce in the ſweet Repoſes of Conſcience, when we have truly Repented; in the infinite Power, Authority, and Supreme right of God to Pardon upon Repentance; not dependent upon, Man, nor upon the Will of Man; Who is a God like unto him, who Pardons Iniquity, Tranſgreſſion, and Sin, and casts it into the depth of the Sea; who makes by his Pardon, ſins, as Scarlet, and Crimſon to be White as Snow, and Wooll, that blots out Iniquity as a Cloud, and a thick Cloud with the ſame Potency, and Eaſe, that the Sun does off a Cloud; and with infinitely greater.

p. 97Let us Rejoyce in the great Efficacies of the Redeemer, Pardoning ſin upon Earth, as the great High Prieſt of our Profeſſion, and the Biſhop of our Souls; Abſolving truly Repenting Sinners, by the Witneſs of his Blood, ſprinkling the Heart from an evil Conſcience, and ſpeaking better things than the Blood of Abel; The Blood as of a Lamb without ſpot, Offer'd by the Eternal Spirit, Purging the Conſcience from dead works, together with, and even as the Author, and Finiſher of faith and repentance from dead works, to ſerve the Living God, Heb. 9. c. 10. c. 12.

Let us rejoyce in the Witneſs of the Divine Spirit, Sealing, and Witneſſing to us by Repentance, waſhing the Body, the whole Converſation, as with pure water.

Let us rejoyce in all the Bleſſed Promiſes, and Aſſurances of the Word of God, made by it to ſincere Penitents, which are yea and Amen in Chriſt.

For all theſe are of far greater Authority, Truth, Certainty, than All Bindings, or Looſings on Earth, whether by the Eccleſiaſtical, as we call it, Adminiſtration of the Keyes; or by Men forgiving one Another, however neceſſary theſe may be in their place.

Infer. 7th. Seeing the Kingdom of God, and of Heaven is the great Motive to Repentance, as hath been before on great Reaſon made out; The high Reaſon we have, to believe, that by the Apoſtles calling it the Last time, the last hour, the ends of the World, ſo many Hundreds of Years ago; we muſt needs be now upon the very laſt iſſue, and determination of that Time; when the Kingdom ſhall appear in Glory, and all other kind of Time p. 98ſhall be no more; How great a Cloud does therefore Encompaſs us, that we ſhould, by no means, be willing or able, to Rend; to Engage, us to run with Patience the Race of Repentance ſet before us; Heb. 12.1.Heb 12:1and to that End, to lay aſide every weight, and the ſin that doth ſo eaſily beſet us; looking unto Jeſus, the Author and Finiſher of our Repentance, that it may be to Salvation, and never to be Repented of; Hearing him who in the days of his Fleſh, becauſe the offers, and firſt appearances, and Firſt Fruits of his Kingdom, were then begun, Preach'd ſaying, Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand: ſo the full Harveſt of that Kingdom, being now ready to appear, he does by the Voices of all his Prophets in the Old, and New Teſtament, inſtantly Preach to us; Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand.

And of how ſtrong, and cloſe Connexion the Kingdom of God, and of Chriſt, and Repentance, are, I ſhall more fully, and largely at this time Repreſent, as a moſt ſolemn Concluſion of this Diſcourſe.

There is a fixed ſpace given, and a peculiar Interval Appointed: Lying between the time of the Apoſtacy, call'd, the Time, Times, and Half Time, or the 1260 Days, and the Time of the Vials. And it is 30 years making the 1260, 1290 Years, Dan. 12.11. even as the 45 Years of the Vials to the Abſolutely bleſſed ſtate of the Kingdom of Chriſt in Glory, when the Saints ſhall all ſtand in their Lots, fill up to that very Fulneſs of Times.

p. 99Now at this ſpace of the Thirty Years, the Spirit ſhall be powred out from on High: The Song of the Lamb, which hath been ſo long out of uſe, that it becomes, as it were, a new Song; and can be at firſt learnt only by the 144000 ſhall be Taught by them immediately; and the Everlaſting Goſpel ſhall be without delay upon it, Preach'd to every Nation, Tongue, and People under Heaven; and then there ſhall be as in preparation to the Glory of the Kingdom of Chriſt, but under the Influence of that Kingdom in Succeſſion, a mighty Spirit of Godly Sorrow working Repentance to Salvation, never then indeed to be Repented of, pour'd out upon all Fleſh.

Now becauſe this is a point of great moment to the Doctrine of Repentance, and ſets forth much of the Excellency of Repentance: I ſhall give very great Scriptures, and argue upon them for the truth of ir.

Scripture 1. The firſt Scripture I would inſiſt upon, ſhall be from a conſideration of that great Ordinance of God concerning the Day of Attonement among the Children of Iſrael: This Ordinance We find, Levit. 23.27. In the tenth day of the ſeventh, the Sabbattical Month, there ſhall be a day of attonement: It ſhall be an Holy Convocation to you: and you ſhall afflict your Souls: And you ſhall do no work in that ſame day: For it is a day of Attonement to make Attonement for you before the Lord your God: for whatſoever Soul it be, that ſhall not be afflicted in that ſame Day, he ſhall be cut off from among his People: And whatſoever Soul it be that doth any work in that ſame day, the ſame Soul will I deſtroy from p. 100among his People: It ſhall be a ſtatute for ever throughout your Generations in all your Dwellings: It ſhall be to you a Sabbath of Reſt, and you ſhall Afflict your Souls. And on that day there were the great rites of Sacrifice; the Bullock, the ſin Offering; the Blood of which was carried into the Holy of Holies, to make an attonement for the Ʋncleanneſſes of the Priests and People, and to reconcile the Holy of Holies, and the Mercy Seat, and the Tahernacle of the Congregation, and the Goat that was to be Kill'ed in the ſame Manner; and the ſcape-Goat, throughout c, 16.

Now that which I lay in the Foundation, is, That God never appointed any of theſe great Rites, but they had a Solemn ſignification; a ſignification, as ſollemn, as the Type was: So that there muſt be ſome great ſenſe of this day of attonement; I know it had a great fulfilling in Chriſt; and in him, as an Offering once for all, that immediately Entred into the Holy of Holies, with his own Blood to appear in Heaven for us, It had very great parts of its accompliſhment: But there are other great Parts that are to be fulfill'd in his Saints and for them, as in themſelves: And eſpecially in this ſolemn Affliction: So that as if any did not afflict their Souls, they were to be cut off ſo now.

And in theſe things, this day had many very remarkable Lines of the ſollemn affliction and attonement, that ſhall be in the very laſt parts of Time, and near the ſtate of the Kingdom of Chriſt.

1. It was an Ordinance throughout the Generations of both Natural, and Adopted Iſrael. A Statute for ever, that is, until the very Kingdom of Christ.

p. 1012. It was in all parts of it Sabbattical; prepar'd for the great Sabbatiſm of the Kingdom of Christ.

3. It was when the Holieſt of all, and the Tabernacle of the Congregation, and even the Mercy ſeat, and Altar, were Purified and Reconcil'd; not in themſelves; for they were ſeparate and pure, eſpecially the Holy of Holies; much more the Heavenly Antitypes: But in regard of the Ʋncleanneſs of the Children of Iſrael: For with relation to all the Saints, and Servants of Chriſt, even to the very laſt of them in this corrupt World of the Firſt Adam, they muſt be Purified and Reconciled; that ſo God and the Lamb coming down with the Holy of Holies, and Tabernacle to be with Men, and to dwell among them, may appear in viſible Glory.

4. That peculiar Sacrifical Rite of the Scape Goat on this day ſent away into the Wilderneſs, was a moſt lively ſignification of the final act of Oblivion, and act of Amneſty upon all ſin, and the Curſe for it born away into the Land of Forgetfulneſs, and ſo perfect attonement made, and all former Evils of the Curſe Forgotten, Eſay 65.16, 17.

5. It was followed immediately by the Feaſt of Tahernacles; So great a Type of the Kingdom of Chriſt, in the Trees of Paradiſe, and the Paradiſiac Branches; when the Tabernacle of God is with Men, as before.

When thus the Glory of the Attonement and Redemption of Chriſt ſhall come into open View, and the Holy State fully purified from all Ʋncleanneſſes of the Saints, and perfectly reconcil'd, above, manifeſt, and reveal it ſelf: Before that, there ſhall be p. 102a general Afflicting the Soul, the moſt ſolemn, Penitential, that ever was in the world.

Script. 2. The Second Scripture I urge to this purpoſe, is, Pſalm 84.6. Who paſſing through the Valley of Baca, or weeping, make it a Well. The Rain alſo filleth the Pools: They go from ſtrength to strength: every one of them in Zion appeareth before God. So Jerem. 50.4, 5. In thoſe Days, ſaith the Lord, the Children of Iſrael ſhall come, they and the Children of Iſrael together: Going, and Weeping; they ſhall go, and ſeek the Lord their God; they ſhall ask the way to Zion with their Faces thitherward. This ſpeaks a ſolemn weeping and mourning, immediately before the going up to Zion: as if the Rivers overflowed in this Day of Mourning with the Tears of the Servants of God, as after ſome great ſlaughter, with Blood; or as the Blood at the Battel of Armageddon ſhall come up to the Horſe-Bridles of Chriſt, and of his Saints, upon their VVhite Horſes of Triumph: So before this, the Pools and Wells ſhall be fill'd with the Tears of Saints in their Day of Great Mourning and Repentance.

Script. 3. A Third Great Scripture I inſiſt upon, is, Zech. 12 12. In that Day there ſhall be a great mourning in Jeruſalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon, in the Valley of Megiddo: And the Land ſhall mourn, every Family apart, and the Families that remain, apart. This Prophecy is moſt apparently, by all that went before, and follows after, a Prophecy of the Kingdom of Chriſt; and for that Kingdom of Chriſt, there is ſo great a mourning, as in preparation to it; There ſhall be a Spirit of Grace and Supplication; p. 103an admirable univerſal Grace of Repenting, in all parts of Repentance, poured out upon the Iſrael of God in Jeruſalem, looking on him whom they have peirc'd, and ſo long Rejected; and a joynt mourning of Convert-Gentiles, repreſented by the Mourning of Hadad-Rimmon, or of the very glory of Aſſyria; known by the name of their God Rimmon, and their Dedication to his Glory; this Mourning of the Gentiles ſhall be in Megiddo, as in Iſrael for all their Idolatries, and Crucifying of Chriſt in his Witneſſes ſlain in Spiritual Egypt; of which that excellent Prince Joſiah ſlain in the Cauſe of Aſſyria, by Pharoah King of Egypt was a Type, and ſo lamented by both Iſrael, and Aſſyria: Iſraelites by Nature, and Adoptive Iſrael, in that great day ſhall mourn; and it ſhall be ſo deep, and ſincere that all Families ſhall Mourn, not only together, but apart: They ſhall not Mourn for ſhew, form, and Company, or need that Natural Excitation of Mourning, the ſeeing one another Mourn; but they ſhall Mourn apart. The Royal Family, ſignified by the Houſe of David; the Prophetick Families, ſignified by the Houſe of Nathan; the Prieſtly Family ſignified by the Houſe of Levi, and Scribal Families ſignified by the Houſe of Shimei; and the converted Gentiles, ſignified by the Families that remain; the uſual Character for the Heathen Nations: Becauſe Iſrael, in God's account, is the principal; The Remnant, whom the Lord our God ſhall call, Joel c. 2.31. and the Reſidue of Men, even all the Gentiles, as the Apoſtle James, Acts 15.17. interprets, Amos 9.11.

Now in this Day of the great mourning, and afflicting the Soul, this Day of attonement, there ſhall be p. 104an opening the Fountain for Sin, and for Ʋncleanneſs; for the waſhing of the Robes of all Saints, and making them white in the Blood of the Lamb: that as it is granted to them, they may be arrayed in Linen white and clean; which is the Righteouſneſs of the Saints, Rev. 7.14. c. 19.8.

4. The laſt Scripture, wherein I will draw up, and ſum this Point, is Revelations 14.6. I ſaw another Angel fly in the midſt of heaven; having the everlaſting Goſpel to preach to all, &c. ſaying, Fear God, and give glooy to him, by Confeſſion, Humiliation, and Repentance. At which time the Gentiles ſhall come from the ends of the Earth, and ſay, Our Fathers have inherited Lies, and things, wherein there is no profit: Shall a man make himſelf Gods of them who are no Gods; who have not made the Heavens, nor the Earth, the Sea, nor the Fountains of Water. This ſhall be when God this once (that once, when he is juſt ready to ſhake Heaven and Earth) and this once ſignifies the doing it ſo, that it ſhall never need to be done any more; and they ſhall know that his Name is Jehovah; that he is the true God, and all other Gods ſhall periſh from the Earth, and from under theſe Heavens, Jerem. 10.11. c. 16.19, 20, 21.

Thus, as at the firſt preaching of the Goſpel, there were ſo great Converſions, prickings in the heart, and Repentances, Acts 2, &c. Becauſe that was the fullneſs of time: So there ſhall be much greater, when the fullneſs of times, eve… of All Time ſhall be: For whatever was done by way of Inchoation, and Beginning, in the fullneſs of time, ſhall be much more done at the fullneſs of times, or p. 105of all time: For That Goſpel, that was alway the everlaſting Goſpel, ſhall then appear in that ſtile, and be known by it. The everlaſting Goſpel, and therefore its Force, Effect, and Succeſs, ſhall be much greater than ever.

And it immediately follows upon this Preaching the Everlasting Goſpel, another Angel proclaim'd with a loud Voice; Babilon is fallen, is fallen; before this it could not be done. The Church of …ergamus was blam'd for having them, that held the Doctrine of Balam; and who taught to eat things Sacrificed to Idols; and Thyatyra for ſuffering them; They had not Mourned, that they might be cast out, as the Apoſtle ſpeaks, 1 Cor. 5.2. and therefore they were Commanded to Repent, and draw to Repentance all ſuch among them, that belonged to the Election of Grace, Rev. c. 2. and here is that great Repentance, by which Babylon is utterly cast out, and fallen, as it follows in the next Thunder, or Voice from Heaven, to that of the everlasting Goſpel: And then, as it was in that Apoſtolic time, they brought out their Books of curious arts, and burnt them publickly, even to the value of 50000 Peices of Silver, ſo ſhall the curious arts of Idolatry, Sorcery and Impurity be expos'd and for ever devoted at that time to the Flames, Acts 19.19.

Now how does this Recommend to us the Doctrine of Repentance throughout all our Generations, and through the whole courſe of our Lives, ſeeing the World of the Sav'd ſhall be thus Baptiſed with the Baptiſm of Repentance for the Remiſſion of Sins, juſt before Salvation.

p. 106And into this Treaſury, all ages of Saints in the World, before this time, have caſt by Mourning, Godly Sorrow, and Repentance: For have not their Tears been put into God's Bottle, and are they not in his Books? And at what time are they more likely to be Produced to their Etternal Account, and Advantage, than in ſuch a day of Attonement, and Reconciliation? When the days of Refreſhing, that Bleſſed, and Happy Age ſhall come forth from the preſence of the Lord, his immediate Appearance, even the ſame Appearance that ſhall utterly aboliſh the man of ſin, 2 Theſ. 2.8. and revive and re-enliven the Saints, that have Dyed and Slept in Jeſus, into the Firſt Reſurrection, upon whom Bleſſedneſs is then Proclaim'd; when all ſins ſhall be perfectly blotted out, and their holy Works alone ſhall follow them (among which Repentance is one of the Principal) in the Day of the Reſtitution of all things, in the day of Salvation when it ſhall appear, true Evangelical Repentance is never to be Repented of, Acts 3.19, 21. Rev. 14.13.

And to move us therefore all, and to provoke us to either the firſt Repentance, if we have not yet Repented; or to Renewed and advanced Repentance;Rom. 13.12.Rom 13:12 let us conſider, how far the Night of the Apoſtaſy is paſs'd, and the Day of Salvation is at hand? How very near it grows? How much more we ſee the Day approaching?Heb. 10.24.25.Heb 10:24Heb 10:25 For we are now in the 1255th day of the Witneſſes 1260 days of Years, of their Mourning and Sackcloth; and upon the 25th day of the Laſt Month of the 42 Moons of Apoſtacy: and when they end, the Kingdom p. 107of Christ ſhall be immediately Proclaim'd: How near then is the Kingdom of Heaven at Hand?

Infer. 8. Becauſe, I know, there is ſo great an unwillingneſs to believe ſuch an Approach of the Kingdom of Chriſt; Let us take, as we ſtand in the National Community, whereof we are, this great Doctrine of Repentance into deepeſt and cloſeſt conſideration. For we find Scripture, whenever it ſpeaks to a Community, as to the Kingdom of Judah, and Iſrael, in the Prophets it ſtill ſpeaks to them, as ſuch Communities, as in the Language, and Doctrine of Repentance; and when it ſpeaks to the Churches, as in the ſecond and third Chapters of the Revelation, it ſpeaks to them as ſuch Communities, and commands them to Repent, as was before obſerv'd.

How neceſſary therefore to the National Body is the Doctrine of Repentance, taken as relating to a Community? How neceſſary muſt it needs be to every one of us, not only as for our own Immortal Souls, but as Parts and Members of the National Community, and to the Church, or Churches of this Nation; that of the Church of England, or the National Church, as ſo, many love to ſpeak? or to the Churches, that are in England, or Churches of England; as others agreeably enough with Scripture, ſpeak as of the Churches of Judea; of Galatia; and thus undoubtedly there is a truth in both ways of ſpeaking.

For when God hath given a Nation an univerſal conſent in the Profeſſion of the Name of God, of Chriſt, and of the Goſpel, they do in many great Regards, and Accounts of Scripture, come p. 108under ſuch an Obligatory repreſentation, as a National Church; as Judah and Iſrael in the times of the Old Teſtament came under. And all particular Churches, wherein ſo ever they differ in many particulars, and make diſtinct Aſſociations of themſelves, may be look'd upon, as particular Churches; and ſo Scripture vouches for them; becauſe they do in a Particular Union give themſelves to the Lord, and to one another; yet notwithſtanding, they cannot, what ever they may think, put off their Relation to the whole Nation, whereto they are United as parts; nor to it, as United with them, in the ſubſtantial Eſſential Points of Chriſtianity, not ſo Adulterated, but that ſuch Church is look'd upon as a true Church, by God, and by Chriſt.

Nor can the more general or National Church Diſ-intereſt it ſelf in any of the more particular and Diſſenting Churches; ſeeing in God's account they are within it; even thoſe that are pureſt, and have moſt of the Spirit, and Power of Chriſtianity, and truly Purer than it ſelf, as in the general; as the more general Church of Sardis had within it ſelf, the few purer Names that had not Defiled their Garments. Rev. 3.1. &c.Rev 3:1This is when a more general Church is pure in ſubſtantials of Doctrine, Worſhip, and Laws of Holy Converſation; it is otherwiſe when what is call'd a Church, is Antichriſtian and Idolatrous in its ſubſtantials; as in thoſe of the Papacy; and have no more Right to the Name of a Church, than that Idolatrous aſſembly, that cried up Diana of the Epheſians, Acts 19. though it be there call'd by the ſame Name p. 109of a Church, or Eccleſia, that the Churches of the Saints are. v. 32.41.

Now this I have Premiſ'd, to ſhew, how neceſſary the Doctrine of Repentance is to be Offered, and to be Receiv'd by the generality of the Church, Churches, and People of this Nation; according to the Doctrine of both the New and Old Teſtament, even that Repentance that hath been Diſcours'd; the Repentance to Salvation, never to be Repented of, and to be wrought by a Godly ſorrow, or a ſorrow after God.

It may look like a Difficulty; how a Nation Compoſed of ſuch Variety of leſſer, and diſtinct Communities, one from another; and much more ſo many ſingle perſons, ſhould be brought to Unite in Repentance; or a Church, that hath ſo many leſſer, and different Churches; or, How ſuch a Repentance can be a Repentance to Salvation; ſeeing Nations are not ſo much ſav'd as Nations, but particular Perſons, of thoſe general Communities are the Saved.

This may be three ways Reconciled.

1. By conſidering, there is the Face of a Nation, and of a National Profeſſion of Chriſtianity, in the Princes, Rulers, and Councels of it: and When theſe ſet themſelves to Repentance, of Reformation: How greatly neceſſary therefore is it to Repreſent with greateſt Efficacies of Perſwaſion to them the duty to Reform themſelves; and to be examples of the ſame to the Nation: We find therefore Univerſally in Scripture, there is ſo much application to the Kings, and Nobles, the Counſellors, and Judges of Iſrael; and Remonſtrances againſt their ſins, and not Reforming.

p. 110And this lies with eſpecial Obligation upon thoſe, who are Exalted into the moſt publick Stations of the Chriſtian Miniſtration; thoſe, who are the moſt publick Seers. So we find Nathan, the King's Seer, was choſen out by God to ſpeak to David, in thoſe two great ſervices of ſhewing David his ſin, and moving him to Repentance, 2 Sam. 12. When he had ſo fallen; God ſent to move him to Repentance by his own Seer, or, as I may Expreſs it, Biſhop. And ſo in the Caſe of Numbring the People; God ſent to David by Gad, another of his Seers, 2 Sam. 24.11.

Again, when God declared to David the Building the Temple, not by himſelf, but by his Son Solomon; to encourage his Preparation for it; but to Countermand his Building it; he did it by the ſame Nathan, his Seer, 1 Chron. 17.3.

And thus when God, by his Providence, Exalts any to a Precedency, or Preſidency in the Goſpel Ministry, ſo as to be near Princes, and Councels, and Senates in that high Adminiſtration; when they are Zealous, and Succeſsful in their Preaching Repentance; and ſuch Higher Powers are mov'd by it: This generally goes down from ſuch Heads of a Nation, to the skirts of the Garment, viz. The ſubordinated Miniſtry of a Nation, and its Magiſtracy, and ſo to the generality of the People: And it becomes in God's gracious acceptance through Chriſt, and Account, a National Repentance, though there may be many particular Perſons, both in Miniſtry and Magiſtracy negligent of their Duty, and much more many unreformed Perſons among the Multitude.

p. 111And ſuch Repentance may be called Repentance to Salvation, For it does not only, as in the King of Nineveh's Caſe, give a Reprieve from preſenr Judgments, and bring in great Bleſſings, and proſperity to a Nation at the preſent; but there is very great Reaſon to believe in the viſible Glory of the Kingdom of Christ: There are, as I may ſo ſpeak, Conſtellations of Saints, who have joyn'd together in the ſame Nation, and time in Repentance, and earneſt Endeavours for Reformation; for, as Daniel ſays, The Wiſe, and they that turn many to Righteouſneſs, ſhall ſhine as the Stars, and as the brightneſs of the Firmament for ever, and ever, Dan, 12.3.

Now how does the preſent ſtate of the Nation require the joyning of all that fear God, to retrench that boldneſs, and inſolency of wickedneſs that rages throughout the Nation; and to neceſſitate the Vices and Prophaneſſes of Men, who have no fear of God, to keep within, and not to ſhew themſelves, as they do openly, and abroad! and in the mean time, to give ſuch an Honour to Godlineſs, Righteouſneſs, and Soberneſs; that the contrary to theſe may not be charged as National ſins; and therefore herein, thoſe that are principal Seers of the Nation, and have opportunity to do it to Princes, and Councels, are under greateſt obligations of Duty, Love, Honour, and Service to God, and our Lord Jeſus Chriſt; to move with light, and Heat in their Orb, and Sphere; to make due remonſtrances of the abſolute neceſſity, that there is, to diſcharge the Nation of that great weight of Publick Guilt, that lies upon it by the Enormities; that not being reſtrain'd, and p. 112Puniſh'd, Redoun'd from particular Offenders (whom they have firſt inveſted, and cover'd all over) upon the Community, to which they belong; and to incite, and greatly to encourage all whatever denomination, or diſtinction ſoever they are of, to Unite in this; to give a ſtop to the overflowing wickedneſs, that there be not wrath againſt the Royal Family, the ſupreme Powers of the Nation, the ſuperior Epiſcopacy of it; and againſt the whole Nation; which Epiſcopacy above all, ought to cry aloud, and not to ſpare, but to ſhew to the Court and Councels of it, the ſins and tranſgreſſions of the Nation; which they make their own by not turning their whole Power againſt, and to exhort all to joyn with one ſhoulder againſt them.

For the preſent ſtate ſo Unreformed, ſo Luxurious in Wickedneſs, ſhews, that according to all the word of God, and the general courſe of his Providence, that hath ever been in the world; ſome one of theſe three things muſt needs be.

1. That there muſt be an Univerſal, National Reformation from thoſe ſins, that being of a publick, and ſenſible appearance; ſins that may be felt, and that are ſo palpable to the common ſenſe of Natural Conſcience, and ſo cogniſable, and ought to be taken notice of by the Courts of Human Judicature, may be reſtrain'd; and kept from Dying the Nation in ſo Crimſon, and Scarlet a Guilt, ſuch a Purple Hiew by the abominations, now it is, all over ſtain'd with; the horrid Oaths, or Swearing, for the great commonneſs of which, p. 113even on ſeeming better accounts, Lands mourn very often; the noiſe of which bellows in all ſtreets, and publick places, as well as in private Families; the dreadful Curſings and Dammings that every where reſound; the fearful Sabbath-breakings, that turn it not only into a Day of Idleneſs and ſloath, but of leiſure to all manner of Wickedneſs; the Exceſs of Pride, and Vanity in apparel, which the very Prudence of ſumptuary Laws ſhould reform; the Impudence and Outrage of Luſt and Luxury, declaring, and not hiding it ſelf, as in Sodom of Old; the Great Ʋnmercifulneſs to the Poor, of all Kinds, and not ſtrengthning their hands to ſuch profitable ſervice, and employment in their Places, as might abound, not only to their own private (which ought to be) but to publick Good.

Theſe things, with all Care and Zeal, not only ought, but muſt be reduc'd and redreſs'd in Towns and Cities, and in all our Villages; and moſt particularly in our Camps and Navies, where they more than any where elſe (if poſſible) abound; and where there ought to be greater Guard, and Watch againſt them, than any where elſe; according to that Great Precept, Deut. 23.14.

2. If this be not done, It cannot be, except God hath left the Earth more than ever yet he hath done; and forſaken it; and walks in the Galleries of Heaven, without Regarding; but that there muſt be a Viſiting for theſe things; and that his Soul muſt be avenged of ſuch a Nation as this; Jer. 5.9. whether by Plague, or Famine, or War, or evil and noiſome Beaſts, or by a Complication of theſe Four: yea, though it be by a Fire yet unblown, p. 114that is ready to flame out; or by an Army of Wounded Men, that our Deſtruction muſt come; and much the more becauſe the Light of his Truth is ſo open and clear among us; becauſe his Mercies and Deliverances have been ſo-Great, and the Methods of his Providence ſo unuſual; in his unhinging for us the General Laws of Nature, in Dethroning, and ſetting on the Throne for our preſervation. Now if Theſe his Great Acts and Wonderful Doings do not work to Reformation, They certainly ſhall juſtifie God in our Deſtruction. And yet we daily ſee our ſins and Tranſgreſſions Growing up to the very Heavens:, ſo that that our Deſtruction cannot but be ſpeedy.

3. Except the Kingdom of Chriſt be as I have declared, very near us; And that we are not yet under ſome moſt dreadful Judgments, it is an argument to me, it is certainly ſo, that the Kingdom of Chriſt is very near us; when he will take to himſelf his own great Power, and Reign, and Reform by a through Purging his Floor; either by pouring out his Spirit, and perſwading by his everlasting Goſpel; Malach. 4.1.Mal 4:1and ſitting as by a Refiners Fire, and Fullers Soap, throughly to purifie; that Baptiſm with Fire: or by the Day, that ſhall burn as an Oven, and conſume the Wicked, Root and Branch; and becauſe of this, notwithſtanding our great Tranſgreſſions, and mighty provocations; even though he hath lifted up his hand, that he would destroy us, yet he hath wrought for his Great Names ſake; that is, his Kingdom's ſake and hath done nothing yet ſo remarkable againſt us.

p. 115Let us then, that fear the Lord, ſpeak often one to another, that a Book of Remembrance may be writ for us, as for them that have feared the Lord, and thought on his Name, and that we may be ſpared in the day, when he makes up his Jewels; and gather'd as Wheat into his Garner, when he ſhall burn up the Chaff with fire unquenchable, Mal. 3.16. Matth. 3.12.

Infer. 9. Seeing Nations and Perſons are under ſo ſtrict Commands to Repent with that Repentance to Salvation; the contrary whereof is expreſſed by Death.

There is therefore in the Kingdom of Chriſt a City of Life, and under it a City of Death; a City of Salvation, whoſe Walls and Bullwarks are Salvation; and a City of Destruction, diſtinct from it, and oppoſite to it, Eſay 19.18. c. 26.1. The one is the Reſidence of thoſe who have Repented with that Repentance to Salvation, not to be Repented of. The other is the dark and diſmal Receptacle of thoſe, who have either been wholly diſſolved into the worldly Laughter and Mirth; or been Sorrowers only after the worldly Sorrow, that worketh Death.

The New Jeruſalem is the City of Life and Salvation; the City that hath the Tree of Life, and the River of the Water of Life; and the Nations of the Saved walk in the Light of it; and are healed from any poſſibility of Dying by the Leaves of the Tree of Life; and the Living are written in it; Whatever liveth in it, ſhall live, even for perpetuity: The Second Death hath no power over them, Eſay 4.3. Revel. c. 20.6. c. 21.24. c. 22.1, 2.

p. 116On the other ſide, there is the City of Destruction, Eſay 19.18. when Five Cities ſhall ſpeak the Language of Canaan, being of the Nations of the Saved: There is one City, that ſhall be called, the City of Deſtruction; the contrary to Salvation; being of thoſe appointed to Death.

This is the Congregation of the Dead, Prov. 21.16. This is the City of Gog; that is, of the dead, ſlain with the ſword of Christ's mouth, who hath a place of Graves, the Valley of Hamon Gog, of the Multitude of Gog. Ezek. 39.11, &c.

Theſe, though they are the dead, that is ſlain with the ſword of Christ's mouth; yet they are as in a Community, in a Polity; for though they are condemn'd by the Word and Sentence of Chriſt, they are yet the Wicked rais'd to Condemnation; and ſo are in the State of Living, but of a Living Death: Therefore theſe dead have a City, and the Name of it is Hammonah; as the Name of the New Jeruſalem is Jehovah-Shammah, the Lord is there; ſo the Name of this City is foreign, its multitude, or a multitude is there; For broad is the way, and wide is the Gate that leadeth to this City of Heres, to deſtruction; and many there be which go in thereat, Matth. 7.13. Theſe are the multitudes that are gathered together to the Battel of Armageddon; the Day of God Almighty, ſhaded by a Battel; the multitudes in the Valley of Jehoſhaphat; the Valley of the Judgment of Jehovah; the Valley of Deciſion, of the Doom and Sentence of Chriſt, as the Sword of his Mouth; and the Valley of Exciſion, of Destruction, Joel 3.74. Revel. c. 16.14, 16.

Now theſe dead, in their City of the dead, lye dead during the Thouſand Years, bound Hand and p. 117Foot for that ſpace; The Reſt of the Dead, ſlain with the Sword of Chriſt's mouth. But when the Thouſand Years are expired, they are let looſe into the Appearance of Life, Motion and Action: They whoſe multitude are as the Sand of the Sea, under their Name Gog Magog, come up againſt the Beloved City, and the Camp, or Tower, and Castle of the Saints, and cover the breadth of it; ſhewing themſelves the ſame Impenitents they were, and had been before the Thouſand Years began; the Never-Repenting Enemies of God, and of Chriſt, and of his Kingdom: So they are finally judg'd;Ezek. 39.11, &c. Rev. 19.21. c. 20.5. to the end.Ezek 39:11Rev 19:21 caſt with Sathan, who had alway deceived them, with Death and Hell, into the Lake. This is the ſecond Death.

Thus in the opening this dark Scripture, Behold in theſe two Cities the Repentance to Life and Salvation never to be repented of; the Impenitency to Death and Deſtruction, never alſo to be repented of; that we may chuſe the firſt, perſwaded by Eternal Grace and Love; and abhor the other, as the Black Mark of being the Eſau hated by God, who found no place for Repentance; as the Veſſels of his Wrath, the Border of Wickedneſs, againſt whom he hath Indignation for ever, Malach. 1, 4.

Infer. 10. Upon all this, I conclude with that great Scripture, Hoſea 10.12. Sow we to our ſelves in Righteouſneſs, the Righteouſneſs of Repentance, ſpringing from Faith in the Blood of Jeſus: Let us break up all our Fallow Grounds: For the Juſt and proper time is near for an univerſal ſeeking God; till p. 118he come, and rain Righteouſneſs, upon us, upon all the Earth.

This is indeed prepar'd peculiarly for Iſrael, the Ten Tribes at their Converſion, after the ſo long Captivity; ſhadowed under riding, ploughing, breaking the Clods, till the ſowing in righteuuſneſs, at their reſtoration. It is now near, that they who have been ſo long loſt, that it ſhall be ſaid of them, Theſe where have they been? ſhall with the whole Gentile World, ſeek the Lord. Let us count which way we can, the time muſt be near, exceeding near. Whoſo is wiſe, and he ſhall underſtand the Scripture concerning theſe things; prudent, and he ſhall know them: For the ways of the Lord are all righteous and true concerning them. Ʋpright men ſhall know how to walk in them, while tranſgreſſors fall moſt diſhonourably and finally therein.

And when this is, there ſhall be a great Rain, a Rain of Righteouſneſs, that ſhall come down upon the World. This ſhall make a mighty Change, as the Earth is changed by a mighty coming down, a pouring down of Rain, after a long Drought: ſo this Rain ſhall refreſh the Inheritance of God, that hath been ſo long weary: Righteouſneſs ſhall come down, as ſhowers upon the Graſs, and as the ſoft Rain upon the mow'n Graſs; as the former and latter Rain in their ſeaſons. It is propheſied of Jeſus Chriſt coming in his Kingdom, he ſhall come down ſo, Pſal. 72.6, &c. So that in his days Righteouſneſs, For the Righteous ſhall flouriſh, and abundance of peace, ſo long as the Moon endureth: and then, as Pſal. 85.9, 10, 11. His ſalvation ſhall be nigh all them that fear him, that Glory may dwell in all the Earth. Mercy and Truth ſhall meet together; Righteouſneſs and Peace ſhall kiſs each other; p. 119Righteouſneſs ſhall look down from heaven; or as the Rain from heaven, ſhone upon with the healing wings of the Sun of Righteouſneſs, It ſhall repreſent the bow of the Covenant in the Clouds, in the Day of this Rain, Ezek. 1.28. Rev. 10.1. and Truth ſhall then ſpring out of the Earth in abundance.

This State ſhall be as irreſiſtable as the Rain; againſt which, tho Princes, Powers, Councils, and all their Armies ſhould conſpire, they cannot help it; yea, the Heavens themſelves, commanded by God, cannot withhold, or reſtrain their ſhowers, any more than they can give them, till the time appointed by God. So it ſhall bring into the ways of Righteouſneſs, when Righteouſneſs ſhall come down thus from Heaven. All the prophaneſs, and wickedneſs that is at this time, ſhall not be able to hinder it, any more than we can hinder the Rain. It will not ſtay, nor tarry for the children of men.

All the Promiſes and Prophecies ſhall come to paſs at this time, that God hath appointed, and ſhall tarry no longer: the windows of heaven ſhall be opened, the waters above the Firmament ſhall come down; the deep ſhall be broken up. And whatever ſhall not then be rained upon, ſhall be given to ſalt for ever. And This ſhall be ſudden as Elijah's Rain, ſudden, and at an Inſtant; beginning in a Cloud, about as big as a man's hand, and ſo covering the whole heaven.

But it cannot be, till after the Apoſtacy, till the droughty Moons of the Gentiles, and of the Beaſt, are expir'd. It cannot be while the Days of the VVitneſſes Sackcloth Prophecy laſt: For they have power to ſhut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their Propheſie; That is, it is determined by God, It ſhall not rain in thoſe Days. Rev. 11.6.

p. 120There was ſome of this Rain in the very beginning of the Reformation, when the Thunders uttered their Voices: But it ſtopped at their ſealing; yet the Effects remain to this Day, in ſo much enjoyment of the Goſpel as we have. The heavens opened ſo far, becauſe it was the Morning of half time: It ſtopp'd, becauſe it was but half time begun, and not r…n out: At the end of half time, or 1697. there ſhall be a full and effective Thunder, and a much greater Rain of Righteouſneſs, even preparing for the Harveſt; Then he who ſits upon the white ſhining Cloud, ſhall bring forth even the harveſt it ſelf in the Glory of his Kingdom; when he will weary, as the Expreſſion is in Job c. 37.11. the thick Cloud of Righteouſneſs, by ſo abundant a watering the Earth, and ſcatter the bright Cloud, by diſperſing Righteouſneſs in ſo great an abundance. And it ſhall be turned about by his Counſel, to do whatſoever he commandeth upon the face of the world in the Earth. He cauſeth it to come, whether for correction, or for his Land; Judgment upon his Enemies, Mercy for his Kingdom: Hearken unto this, Oh, whoever we are that profeſs the Name of Chriſt; Stand ſtill, and conſider theſe wondrous works of God, as held out to us in the Prophecies of Scripture. And then ſhall be held that great Feaſt of the Thouſand Years to the Lord, in which all the Feaſts of the Lord, that were the Types, ſhall concur, meet and unite: the Feast of Weeks, or Harveſt; the Feast of Paſſover, the Day of Trumpets and Attonement; the great Feast of Tabernacles.