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

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

p. 1A Diſcourſe upon Evangelical Repentance to Salvation, not to be Repented of, and the Godly Sorrow working it.

2 Cor. 7.10. For Godly Sorrow worketh Repentance to Salvation not to be Repented of, but the Sorrow of the World worketh Death.

THERE is no more Univerſal Notion in the Soul of Man in thoſe Things, wherein he hath to do with God, or even with Man, or with Himſelf, then to Repent; that is, to be ſorry for what he hath done Amiſs, and wherein he hath Offended: and to Reſolve, and Promiſe to Amend, and to do the Evil he hath done, no more; It is fitted as a great Inſtrument of Reconciliation, and a ſecond ſtate of Innocency; a Reſerve after the Ruin and Shipwrack of our Firſt Innocency, a Remedy, a Reparation after, the firſt Advantages of doing well, are loſt; And it is the infinite Grace of God in a p. 2Mediator, that there is ſuch a Notion in the World; It preſerves it from being a Hell in regard either of the extremity, and utmoſt Rages of Wickedneſs; or of the Horrors, and Fury of Deſpair. It is the infinite Grace of God in a Redeemer, That there is a Place of Repentance, as the Apoſtle calls it, Heb. 12. that is, place, and room for it in mans Heart, and that there is place for it in the Acceptance of God; that God does not ſcorn, and utterly reject it, againſt him, that hath once ſinned; That he is not inexorable, and not to be intreated concerning it; For how woful, and even Helliſhly Miſerable would man be without it? That the Nature of Man is inclin'd to offer, and accept ſuch Repentance, one towards another, and ſo, that there are mutual Forgiveneſſes among men, and not unappeaſable hatreds; and that there is in a mans own Conſcience a preparedneſs to acquieſce, to be ſatiſfied, to Reſt, and to be Appeaſed upon finding in the Soul, and Action, a ſorrow for ſin, and Reformation from it: All this keeps the World from being abſolutely Hell.

For Sorrow, Diſlike, Trouble, Remorſe, for what a Man hath done evil, move a man to review, to acknowledgment, to bewailing, to confeſſion, to change, and reformation, to a new courſe of Life, and Action.

Seeing then Man is ſuch a fallen, ſuch a Peccant, and offending Nature; it is infinite grace in God, that there is ſuch a Notion, ſuch Action in mans Soul, as Repentance; and that there is not an utter irreconcilableneſs, an unpardonableneſs after Offenſe committed: neither in Heaven nor on Earth; not in the Court of Heaven, nor in the Court of Human p. 3Nature one towards another; nor in the Court of a mans Conſcience within himſelf. If it were not ſo, every ſin would be like the Blaſphemy against the Holy Spirit, Matt. 12. Unpardonable; and becauſe Unpardonable, Impenitable, or not to be Repented of; and that not only in this World, but in that which is to come; the World would become a Theater of ſin, and damnation; even a Hell, without any Chancery, any Appeal to Grace, to Mercy; or Relenting of Repentance from the hopes of Mercy, the reverence and awes of Goodneſs, and Forgiveneſs.

Now that which lies looſe and ſcattered, or diſſeminated, ſown through the whole human Creation; That, the word of God, eſpecially in the Goſpel, in the New Testament; that the Spirit of God hath collected into a more full, and ſolemn Doctrine, and open'd the Foundation, and laid bare, and in view the root, or the great place of it; How it hath room, and reception; what are the Sources, ſprings of Efficacy, from which it Riſes: even in the Sacrifice, Blood, and Redemption of Chriſt; and the mighly Efficacy, and Grace of the Divine Spirit; what is that godly ſorrow, which is given by God, as the Elaboratory or the Inſtrument of God for the Operation of it; what are the Laws and Rules of it; the true form and conſtitution of it; what are the motives, and inward conſiderations mooving to it; what are the ſigns, and evidences of its Truth; what is the proper time, and ſpace for it; It reſolves the Scruples or Caſes of Conſcience, that may ariſe in the Soul of Man concerning it; it ſhews the great Fruit, certain Benefit, and Advantage of it.

p. 4And all theſe are either moſt innately reſiding or ſome way reducible to this great, and excellent Context of the Apoſtle; in which regard I have choſen it, and ſhall endeavour to bring Light accordingly to it; and according to theſe heads, I will by the grace of God endeavour to Diſcourſe it.

1. In regard it is Repentance to Salvation, and that Salvation is no other, but in Chriſt alone, Acts 4.12. it plainly ſhews, That the whole Redemption and Salvation of Christ, is the proper Baſis, and Foundation of it; the whole Area, Court, Space and moſt proper place of it; and that the whole Notion and Spirit of it, as any way Commenſurate to, or extended upon the whole human Nature, hath its Riſe, and Original; flows from ſome Communication to the human Nature from Jeſus Chriſt, the Redeemer; and that yet the word of God and his Goſpel only Reveals it fully and genuinely; and his ſpirit is the ſupreme Operator of it.

2. Here is plainly laid down to us the Elaboratory, or Inſtrument God hath prepared in infinite Wiſdom, and Grace, and inlay'd the Soul with, in order to Repentance. Firſt, as it is a Natural Affection ſubſervient to it; and then as it is Sanctified by God to ſo great an end. Godly ſorrow, or ſorrow after, and according to God worketh down Repentance, or brings it forth; a ſorrow oppoſed to the ſorrow of the World, that worketh Death.

3. In that it is, 1. Repentance to Salvation, effectual to it.

2. Repentance not to be Repented of.

p. 51. Not as a falſe counterfeit Repentance to be Repented of.

2. Always to be carried on, and promoted; and not recall'…, repeal'd, or revers'd, but confirm'd by progreſſive, repeated Acts, and renewed after Falls.

3. In that it is, to, or lays hold of Salvaetion.

4. In that it riſes not from an earthly ſpring, or any ſorrow, not after God.

In all theſe Regards, it yeilds juſt reaſon to Diſcourſe the true Laws, and Rules; the Frame, and true conſtitution; the motives, means and conſiderations for; the ſigns, and evidences of ſincere Repentance.

4. The admirable Fruit and Benefit of it is moſt viſibly, and illuſtriouſly ſet forth before us in thoſe words, It is Repentance to Salvation, not to be repented of.

1. It is to Salvation; It is a great and certain ſecurity againſt Ruin, Damnation, Periſhing for ever.

2. It ſhall not only be a ſecurity from Damnation, but an aſſurance of a ſtate of Life, Glory, Bleſſedneſs.

3. There ſhall never be the leaſt cauſe to Repent, to look back with Sorrow, or Regret, that we have Repented. For we ſhall find, we have loſt no good, we have run upon no evil, in having Repented.

4. It ſhall give us Reaſon of everlaſting Joy, Rejoycing, Triumph, Bleſſing and Adoring God in Chriſt, we have ſo by his grace Repented to Salvation.

5. I will Reduce to the Doctrin of Repentance the ſ…ruples, and Caſes of Conſcience that may ariſe concerning either the true Doctrinal State of it, or the grace of, or practiſe it ſelf of repentance,

p. 6Theſe are the heads, I Propoſe by Divine Grace, and Aſſiſtance, to Diſcourſe the Doctrin, and grace of Repentance upon; but I find it is in the firſt place neceſſary to give ſome ſhort deſcriptions of the thing, Repentance, according to the very importance of the word; and of the General Importance, and Nature of the Notion, or the thing it ſelf.

The words us'd by the Spirit of God in the Old Teſtament, are either that ſtrict word foreign, a word that alſo ſignifies Conſolating a mans ſelf; ſhewing, after ſin, and offenſe reflected upon, viz. with G…ief, and Trouble ſuppoſed; the greateſt conſolation is recovery of a mans ſelf by Repentance: Or elſe, it is a word, that ſignifies Turning from what a man has b…en Turn'd and Poſited, and ſet himſelf …o before. On this Account we meet ſo often with the words of Turning in the Old Teſtament, and being Converted, and Turning in the New.

The moſt proper and ſtrict words in the New Teſtament, are either an After Care, a Reflection with ſorrow, and ſollicitouſneſs upon what a man hath done, with Trouble, He did ſo; and a care, a caution not to do ſo any more for the time to come; or an after-mind, an after-wit, an after underſtanding, a tranſmentation, a new Mind, a new Heart and Spirit.

To ſpeak of it therefore in the general; Repentance is given by God, as a mighty Spiritual Inſtrument, or Engine in the hand of his Grace, in the Arm of God made Bare, by which the ſinful Nature, in every true Penitent, is unhing'd, uncenter'd from ſin, and corruption. It is a return of the Soul home to it ſelf, after a Spiritual Phrenſy, and Madneſs; The Prodigal is ſaid to come to himſelf: p. 7It is a return to its Fathers Houſe, after a long bewildred State; This my Son was loſt, and is found. But beyond all this, it is a Spiritual Reſurrection, a return from Death to Life; This my Son was Dead, and is A Live, Luke 15.

And indeed, as there is no notion of Scripure, that is more ſuited to expreſs the corrupt Nature of Man, than Death; ſo the firſt Threat Ran, In the day thou eateſt thereof, Gen. 2.17.Gen 2:17thou ſhalt dye the Deatb. Death hy ſin paſſed upon all. Dead in Treſpaſſes, Rom. 5.12. Epheſ. 2.1.Rom 5:12Eph 2:1and ſins. Ʋniverſal Death. And ſo in the Levitical Law, there was no greater uncleanneſs than the Touch of a Dead Body. Accordingly when the Apoſtle, Heb. 6. names Repentance among the grand Fundamentals, or, Principles of the Doctrin of Christ, He calls it Repentance from Dead Works, or Re-enſtating the Soul in Life after ſin, or Works, as Unclean, and Loa…hſome, as a Dead Body removed from the ſight of the Living. Or as a Dead Body was in the Eye of God under the Levitical Law.

This is the general Notion of Repentance; but it may be further Explain'd in theſe three Particulars, and yet in a general way.

1. Repentance is an inward, ſincere, habitual Change of the Heart, and of the deſign, and purpoſe; and ſo of the outward Action, and Courſe of Life, and Conduct of a mans ways; ariſing from an utter diſlike of his, former Counſel, Purpoſe and Deſign, and the courſe of Converſation, Life, and Action proceeding from it; ſo that it becomes wholly New: This is the generel Nature of Repentance, p. 8as it looks to the government of a mans ſelf, and of his Actions: Now this in Scripture, and Evangelical Repentance is the change from ſin to Holineſs, from a worldly ſtate, and converſation to an Heavenly; and from the Creature, to God, and to Chriſt; an utter diſlike of, and trouble at the former Regiment, and ſteerage of a mans courſe, ſo as utterly to forſake it; and with ſorrow, ſhame, and aſtoniſhment, to ſay to his ſinful ways, ſo contrary to the Rules of Holineſs, Righteouſneſs, and Purity, Get ye hence, and what have I to do any more with you? I will now guide my ſelf by the word of my God, and hate every falſe way, Pſal. 119. This is that, o… which Scripture is full every where; the through amending she ways, and doings, which were not good; the wicked man forſaketh his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, and returns to the Lord; Jerem. 7.3. Eſay. 55.7. Acts 3.26. James 4, 8. Rom. 6.21.Jer 7:3Isa 55:7Acts 3:26Jas 4:8Rom 6:21Chriſt bleſſes in Turning us every one from our Iniquities. Cleanſe your Hands, you ſinners; and Purify your Hearts, you double minded. What profit had you in theſe things, whereof you are now aſhamed? For the end of thoſe things is Death; 1 Cor. 6.11.1 Cor 6:11ſuch were ſome of you. But now ye are waſhed. &c.

2. Repentance, as it looks to an offended Perſon, is full of ſorrow, that it hath offended; moves earneſtly to Pardon, and Reconciliation; and is ready to make uſe of any powerful Mediator, in order to Reconciliation; and deſires ever after to pleaſe, and to offend no more; and herein the Affections are all mov'd according to the degrees of obligation. Now in Scripture and Goſpel Repentance, the offending p. 9perſon, the ſinner, hath …o do with God, the offended perſon, in …d through Chriſt; and ſo bewails offence, and moves earneſtly to Pardon, and Reconciliation with G…d by the Mediation of Chriſt, and with Chriſt …or his own Names ſake. I beſeech thee, O Lord! Take away the Iniquity of thy Servant. Hoſ. 14.3.Hos 14:3…ake away all Iniquities: Receive us g…aciouſly.

And here alſo …iſes an ingenuous ſorrow, ſhame, and confuſion, …hat we have offended a God ſo Good, ſo Holy, ſo Wiſe ſo Tender, and Compaſſionate a Father, and deſpis'd ſo gracious and obliging a Redeemer. David's Heart ſm…te him; and he ſaid to the Lord, I have ſinned in that I have done; I have done very fooliſhly, 2 Sam. 24.10. I was aſhamed, yea, even confounded. I ſmote on my thigh, Jerem. 31.19. Ezra. 9.6.Jer 31:19Ezra 9:6becauſ… I did bear the Reproach of my youth. We are aſhamed, and bluſh to lift up our Faces. They ſhall under a ſpirit of Grace, and melting ſenſe of God, Zach. 12.10. Job. 34.31; Deuteron. 31, 6. 1 Tim. 1, 15.Zech 12:10Job 34:31Deut 31:61 Tim 1:15look upon him whom they have peirced, and mourn. It is meet to be ſaid to God, If I have offended, I will do ſo no more. Oh fooliſh people, and unwiſe, do you ihus requite the Lord our God. This is a faithful ſaying and worthy of all Acceptation; that Jeſus Christ came into the World to ſave ſinners, of whom I am chief. The deep and duly Affecting conſideration of God, and of Chriſt, the infinite excellency of their Nature, their ſo great Benefactions and loving kindneſs towards us; and that God profeſſes, He is Grieved, Vexed, Provoked, preſſed with our ſins, as a Cart with ſheaves; wearied, made to p. 10ſerve; that he cries out, as one that would move compaſſion; Oh! do not that abominable thing that I hate; Theſe ſo enkindle all the Affections of ſhame, ſorrow, gratitude, holy deſire, zeal, revenge upon our ſelves, that there is ſuch a change wrought, as is always found in true Repentance.

3. In Repentance in general, there is found, as motives and perſwaſives of it; ſelf-preſervation; a deſire of happineſs, and an avoidance of, and flying from miſery; Men, dearly, as we ſay, Repent it, when the folly of their own ways is ſeen in the bitter Fruits; the loſs of their Health, loſs of Eſtate,Prov. 5.11.Prov 5:11 loſs of Friends, of Reputation, and of all Enjoyment; and when they ſee all manner of diſtreſs,c. 1.24. Marc. 9.43. &c.Mark 9:43 anguiſh, and miſery, come upon them; then they mourn at the last, when they ſee all conſumed, and ſay, How have we hated Inſtruction, and deſpiſed Reproof! Thus in Scripture, and Evangelical Repentance; there is a fear of Hell, and an Eternity of Miſery; A cutting off the right hand, and Foot, a pulling out the right Eye, when any of them are underſtood in Repentance, to have offended, and to continue to offend; under the ſenſe; It is better to enter into Life, blind, halt, than having two Hands, Eyes, Feet: maimed, rather than to be caſt into Hell whole; where their Worm dyeth not, and their Fire is not quenched. There is a ſeeking Honour, Glory and immortality, By ingaging in Repentance into a patient continuance in well doing; on the other ſide tribulation, and anguiſh, indignation, and wrath, vehemently Agitate the Spirit, and Thoughts, againſt a continued courſe of doing evil. What ſhall it profit a Man if he gain the whole World, p. 11and looſe his own Soul; or what ſhall a man give in exchange for his Soul? I ſay unto you, my Freinds, fear not them that Kill the Body, and have no more that they can do; but I will forewarn you, whom you ſhall fear, fear him, who after hath killed, hath power to caſt into Hell, yea, I ſay unto you, fear him: Oh! that they were wiſe, that they underſtood this, that they would conſider their latter end: I ſay unto you, repent, elſe you ſhall likewiſe periſh; who hath forewarned you to fly from the wrath to come; God hath commanded all men every where to Repent; becauſe he hath appointed a day, in which he will Judg the World: Repentance unto Life: Repent, and turn your ſelves, that Iniquity may not be your ruin; Repent, and be Converted, that your ſins may be blotted out, when the times of Refreſhing ſhall come forth from the preſence of the Lord; Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. Thus Scripture having theſe two handles of the Soul, Fear of Evil, and deſire of happineſs, mightily moves it to Repentance by them; it holds theſe two great Globes, the World of Happineſs, and the World of Miſery, both preſent, and to come; and ſo with a Scepter ſo Potent, it ſways the Spirits of Men; as the Divine Spirit, that dwells in it, pleaſes.

I have thus far given the Nature of Repentance in general, that it may be the better underſtood, what we are now to Diſcourſe: I begin therefore with the firſt Head: that Repentance, which is ſo Communicated to the very inward ſenſe of mankind, ſprings from, and hath its whole place in the Redemption of Chriſt. The Apoſtle ſpeaks of Eſau, that he found no place for Repentance; there is a proper p. 12place for Repentance. And this, I ſay, is the Redemption of Chriſt, that hath laid the Baſis, the Foundation of Repentance; that hath ſpread over Human Nature, the notion and ſenſe of Repentance. And where it is truly wrought, the Spirit of Chriſt takes it from Chriſt, and gives it to the Soul, and it is accepted only in, and through Chriſt.

It is therefore to be underſtood, that there had no Place been Found for Repentance, had it not been for the undertaking of Chriſt; For Repentance being a rational Act, it muſt have a Rational Foundation, and Encouragement. If there were then no Mercy, no Forgiveneſs, no Salvation; there could be no Repentance but that of fruitleſs ſorrow, horror, and deſpair: the Repentance of wailing and Gnaſhing the Teeth: that is, the Repentance that is in Hell, a Repentance without being chang'd or made better. Seeing then Salvation, Forgiveneſs, Mercy are all bound up in the Name of Chriſt; For they are no where elſe; the Redemption of Chriſt is the only foundation of Repentance, ſuch a Repentance as hath in it a change from ſin to Holineſs: David gives us this great Inſtruction, Pſal. 130. There is forgiveneſs with thee, that thou maist be feared; that thou maieſt be feared with the Awes, with the Reverences of Repentance, there is Forgiveneſs with thee; there had been no place for ſuch Fear of thee, if thou hadst been ſo extreme to mark what is done amiſs, as that there had been no Forgveneſs with thee.

And this is moſt evident alſo in that Doctrin of the Apoſtle before mentioned, concerning the Repentance in the caſe of Eſau: When he had deſpiſed and ſold his Birth-right, and would after Inherit p. 13the Bleſſing, he was Rejected, or Reprobated from it; and he found no place of Repentance, tho he ſought it, that is, the bleſſing carefully with Tears; Heb. 12.17. He found no Place of Repentance, becauſe he was rejected. Whether we underſtand it of Iſaack's, or of Eſau's Repentance, it is much at one: If we underſtand it of Eſau's Repentance, finding no place in himſelf; ſo it hath this ſenſe; That Repentance flies into Deſpair, if it be not accepted, when we tender it: Or if we underſtand it of Iſaac not Repenting, when Eſau wept to procure it, but ſtill fixed the bleſſing on Jacob, it is ſtill the ſame thing; for if God did not pleaſe to accept our Repentance, or himſelf, to Repent in a ſenſe worthy of him; our Repentance would be to no more purpoſe, than Eſau's Tears, or than the weeping in Hell; we ſhould be Rejected, and Reprobated in our Repentance.

The Law, that ſays, curſed is every one that hath not continued in all things, to do them, Gal. 3. and Do this in the firſt Act, and Live, leaves no room for Repentance; but the bringing in a better hope even pardon of Sin, Attonement, and Reconciliarion in the Blood of Chriſt, does, by this we draw nigh to God in Repentance, Heb. 7.17.Heb 7:17and are not Rejected but Accepted.

Here then there is Rational Foundation, and Encouragement for Repentance; becauſe it ſhall not be thrown upon, and into Deſpair; there is Hope concerning this thing in the Goſpel; let us therefore by Repentance preſs home, and return to God in Chriſt.

2. Again, Repentance is the gift of God, a Grace given by him; If God, peradventure, will give Repentance, and, then hath God granted unto the Gentiles p. 14Repentance unto Life; Chriſt is a Prince and Saviour raiſed up by God to give Repentance, 2 Tim. 2.25. Acts 5.31.2 Tim 2:25Acts 5:31and Remiſſion of Sins. So Repentance is a Gift or a Grace; It cannot be Educed, it cannot be drawn out by an… Powers of Nature; It is not of Man, or of the Will of Man, It is not of Bloods: It is not by Derivation, or Deſcent from Adam; It does not run in the Channel of Human Blood. God therefore does not give ſuch Grace in Vain; but when he hath ſettled a Fund of Pardon, Reconcilement, and Salvation: He firſt ſettled that; elſe Repentance had been in Vain, as the Eye would have been, if God had not firſt made Light; Light is alone in Chriſt: He does not give Grace that ſhall be to no purpoſe, he gives no man the Repentance he will not Accept and Pardon upon: He does not expoſe his own Grace to Damnation, or to the Flames of Hell; nor does he give any Grace, but in the Mediator, in the Redeemer: So the Redemption of Chriſt muſt needs be the Foundation of Repentance; there had never been elſe the Notion the poſſibility of Repentance; there had never been the ſound, or report of it heard in the World.

This then being the Foundation, let us take the true degrees of the ſtate of Repentance in two Poſitions.

Poſit. 1. God hath wri…ten in the very Heart of Man the excellency of this Grace, …nd Duty of Repentance; tha… it is not far from him, that he ſhould go up into Heaven, Rom. 10.Rom 10or down into the Deep, or beyond the Sea for it; It is in his Heart: So the Knowledg of it is p. 15very near him: God hath alſo put a Tenderneſs, towards it, a Flexibleneſs, he hath made the Soul of Man, the Conſcience, and Affections plyable to it: And this, we ſhall ſee, is from the Mediator.

I confeſs, this may ſeem hard to be underſtood; ſeeing Repentance is fitted and prepared for a ſinful fallen Creature: Now in that man was at firſt Created upright, and perfect, and good; and what was written in mans Heart, was written there in his Creation; what place could there be for Repentance? Adam was ſo righteous a perſon he could need no Repentance, why then ſhould repentance be written in his Heart?

And yet notwithſtanding, we find by experience, and univerſal Obſervation; It is a notion very intimate to every mans Soul, and even indear'd to his Thoughts: Every man ſeems to be glad, there is ſuch a notion, ſuch an Idea in his Soul; and they that hear of it, and know it from Scripture, acknowledg immediately the goodneſs and reaſonableneſs of it, and rejoyce in it: And tho a man do not fall down right upon the Practiſe of it, yet he is pleaſed with the promiſe to himſelf, he will at ſome time repent, and reform, and grow better; and there is proportionably a general Faith, Repentance will be accepted, and the repenting Offender Pardoned. If men are told, they muſt of neceſſity change, repent and reform from their ſinful courſes: If they are perſwaded to become other men, they are not ſo apt to be Angry, but rather ſay,Acts 24.25.Acts 24:25 They will take a convenient time for it; tho Temptation carry them away, yet they heartily Embrace the thing it ſelf, as to the aſſent, and ſubmiſſion, p. 16and acknowledgment, that it ought to be ſo. Men are convinc'd, that while they defer to enter into the Practiſe, that yet they ought to repent.

This I aſſert is through the Grace of the Redeemer; I would therefore endeavour to find out, how this notion of repentance comes to be ſo very intimate and connatural to mans Soul; and with ſuch a Engraven, Engrafted Hope, and belief of Pardon upon it? How it comes to paſs, that the demands of Natural Conſcience do ſo wonderfully lead to Repentance; and are like thoſe of Natural Juſtice, and common Honeſty; of Soberneſs, and Temperance, of Truth, Mercy, and Compaſſion, or whatever is accepted in the World as morally good and excellent; and even as the deep impreſſions of natural Religion, ſenſe of God, and obedience to him? All theſe give an honour …o Repentance, exert and urge the Soul to it. By the ſame ſentiments of Soul, we allow the one, we allow the other alſo: If the remains of natural Conſcience call a man out to the one, they ſummon him to the other alſo: And yet all this, I affirm, is from the Grace of the Redeemer. And this I would make out by two things.

1. The Lord Jeſus Chriſt, the one Mediator, between the one God, and man; who is the Light that Lighteth every Man that commeth into the World, 1 Tim. 2.5. John 1, 9. Heb. 1.3.1 Tim 2:5John 1:9Heb 1:3hath natural Conſcience under his hand, and upholdeth all things, …ven as Redeemer, by the word of his Power: He th…n bears up that Law of Holineſs, engraven on mans Heart in Creation; he holds up that rational Moral Frame; he keeps that p. 17Light, that Candle or Taper of God in mans Spirit, that it may not be a Lamp put out in obſcure Darkneſs; Through him therefore, there are remains of that excellent Image, wherein Man was first Created; even in that Knowledg, Righteouſneſs, and true Holineſs; ſo that Man does not ſink, either into that blackneſs of darkneſs, an utter Ignorance of God, and inſenſibleneſs of him; or into an extreme hatred, and enmity to God, and all Goodneſs, as damned Spirits do: Here is the great Efficacy of the Mediator, that he ſhores up, and ſtaies this Law of Original Goodneſs and Holineſs in Mans Heart, that it does not ſlide utterly away, nor ſink.

2. Through the Redeemer, there is yet ſo gracious an Adminiſtration of the Government of the World; the Vengeance of God, his juſt Indignation and Fury againſt a ſinful World, and againſt particular Sinners, is restrained; God Refrains himſelf in, and through Chriſt; and does not ſpeedily execute Judgment: He Exerciſes an admirable Patience and long Suffering, Jere. 9.24.Jer 9:24and loving Kindneſs in the Earth. The Earth is full of his Goodneſs in the midſt of much Provocation;Lamen. 3.22 Malac. 3.6.Mal 3:6 It is of his tender Mercy we are not Conſumed, and becauſe his Compaſſions fail not. I am the Lord, I change not; therefore you the Children of Men are not Conſumed: The Lord is gracious, merciful, long-ſuffering, ſlow to wrath, Exod. 34.6.Exod 34:6and of great mercy; And all this is very Viſible, every Man may ſee it, Job 36.25.Job 36:25Man may behold it afar off. The Heaven and the Earth, the Sun and the Moon, and the Stars Proclaim it; every motion of Nature within p. 18and without us,Pſal. 136.Ps 136 tell us, that his mercy endureth for ever.

Now theſe two laid together, explain to us how Repentance is through the Grace of the Mediator, written: even as all natural Religion, and Morality in the very Heart of Man, and diſcernable by that Light: For when the firſt Commands and Emotions of Natural Conſcience are to do the things that are Holy, and Righteous, and Good; and we find, that tho we have violated and perverted the thing that is right; yet we retain a love to thoſe Laws of Eternal Righteouſneſs and Goodneſs; we have not loſt all ſenſe of them, of deſire of likeneſs to, and agreement with them; thus we find a ſorrow in and trouble within us, that we have offended; and that the wrath and juſtice of the ſupreme Ruler, and Governor, and Judg of all the World is not ſo ſudden and immediate in his Revenges upon us; but that we have ſpace and time for return to God, and to Holineſs: There is by the very ſame Authority of natural Conſcience, that requir'd Holineſs in our firſt Acts, and thereby to pleaſe God: a cloſe obligation to return to him by Repentance, and to amend what we have done of evil againſt him, and to beſeech Pardon and Reconciliation with offended Juſtice: Now when on the other ſide, the Patience and long-ſuffering of God gives encouragement, and even Aſſurance, he will accept Repentance by his giving ſcope, ſpace and opportunity for it: Here is great ground for Repentance: For the Soul and Mind of Man finding ſtill in it ſelf that Primitive Love to, reverential ſenſe of Righteouſneſs, and that it cannot bid defiance to it, as loſt Spirits do, there immediately riſes in it an earneſt endeavour to Self-reſtitution, p. 19to reſtore, and recover ones ſelf by Repentance; thus that Light given to a Man in his firſt Creation, and the ſtate of Innocency (the grace of Chriſt ſuſtaining it by an Univerſal Grace to human nature) does not looſe it ſelf by ſin; but as it points and directs it ſelf, firſt to H…lineſs without ſinning or falling from it; ſo it now points and directs it ſelf to Repentance, when it hath fallen by Iniquity; and, as firſt, it mooves it ſelf to the Favour of God by not offending, or ſinning againſt him; ſo after ſin finding him not preſently executing wrath, and taking vengeance, it beſeeches him to Receive it. Graciouſly, Hoſea 14.1. &c.Hos 14:1and to take away its Iniquities, that may not Die: For that God is a moſt good, and gracious, and merciful Being in himſelf is a clear principle in the Law of Natural Religion; even where ever God hath not awaken'd that Natural Conſcience, to find it ſelf in the Chains of everlaſting Diſpleaſure, as the Devils and Damned are; againſt whom he hath in Anger ſhut up for ever his Tender Mercies; when therefore a man finds, notwithſtanding the ſo great degeneracy, and boldneſs in ſin, that every where Testify to our very Faces, and that we ſo well know; yet that God leaves not himſelf without ſo great Witneſs of his goodneſs,Acts 14.6.Acts 14:6 giving fruitful Times and ſeaſons; filling mens Hearts with Food and Gladneſs; and that in Relation to himſelf in particular, he hath ſpared, and forborn, it draws out Natural Conſcience to return to him by Repentance; For the riches of Goodneſs, the long Suffering and Forbearance of God lead to Repentance, Rom. 2.4.

p. 20Thus the King of Nineveh by Natural Light reaſon'd, even when God had poſitively declared, Yet forty Dayr, and Nineveh ſhall be deſtroyed: Surely in that there are forty Days allowed, they are allowed as a Quarantine, as a time of Trial and Probation whether they would Repent, or not; elſe why not preſently Deſtroyed? Why forty Days delay, if there were not Hope of Pardon in ſuch a Repentance; ſo they humbled themſelves in that extraordinary manner, and turned to God by Repentance; and God ſaw it and Repented of the evil, …e bad ſaid, he would do unto them, and he did it not. Jonah 3.5. &c.

How much more have the generality of Mankind, againſt whom no ſuch poſitive Denounciation hath gone forth from God, and to whom the time of Patience is not ſo limitted and defin'd: How great reaſon have they to look upon the time of God's forbearance, as a moſt gracious Call, and Opportunity, and ſpace for Repentance.

Thus we ſee Repentance, in ſome light and ſenſe concerning it, runs through the whole World, ſo that the very Heathen, who have not had, nor ſo much as heard, many of them of Scripture, yet have great ſenſe of ſome way of expiating ſin, and turning from evil; and the very ſeeing, God hath made Repentance and Forgiveneſs a moſt neceſſary and uſeful expedient of mutual Converſation of Men one with another; without which Human Society could not ſupport it ſelf; it ſhews very plainly there is a Mediator between God and Man, a Redemer of loſt Man▪ that hath for the great purpoſes of his Redemption inlay'd the Soul of Man with the intimate and inward notices of Repentance; p. 21and that men ſhew the work of it written in thei… Hearts, and that their Conſciences accordingly, either Accuſe, or Excuſe; to allude to Rom. c. 2.14, 15. and hath given aſſurance from Providence, and the manner of God's Government of the World; That Repentance ſhall be accepted, and therefore hath given the ſame motions of Natural Conſcience to Repentance, when a man hath ſinned, as to Holineſs and Righteouſneſs before ſin; and hath manifeſted them, both alike, within man, and hath ſhewed it to them; and by the viſible things of Human Preſervation hath made clearly known the eternal Goodneſs and Mercy, that pardons ſin through the Redeemer, to allude again to Rom. 1.20.

Thus we read in the Book of Joh, a Book treating much of Natural Religion; aſſiſted by ſuch meaſures of Divine Revelation concerning Chriſt, as God had vouchſafed to Job and to his Friends; very high expreſſions on this great point, c. 33.27. God looketh upon man, and if any ſay, I have ſinned, and perverted, that which is right, and it profited me not; he will deliver his Soul from going down into the Pit, for he will ſay, I have found a ranſom for him, and his life ſhall ſee the Light. A man, any of mankind have juſt reaſon to ſay thus, have great occaſion to ſay ſo; I have ſinned, and perverted that which is right, and do find, it hath not Profited. It is very near to any man to ſay ſo; and if this take place in them, and they do from their Hearts ſay ſo, and ratify it by Action; God looks upon them, he beholds them with Acceptance, he Delivers through the great Ranſom, Jeſus Christ, &c. It is repentance to Salvation; ſo c. 34.31, 32. ſurely it is meet to be ſaid to God, I have born Chaſtiſement; p. 22I will not offend any more; That which I ſee not, teach thou me; If I have done Iniquity, I will do no more. Even according to the ſenſe of Natural Religion, and natural Cnnſcience, It is meet to be ſo ſaid to God; All this is meet to be done. This is even the Diſcipline of Natural Conſcience, as God is ſaid to open the Ear to Diſcipline, and to ſeal Inſtruction, c. 33, 16. c. 36.10.

This is that earneſt motion of Natural Conſcience; to take faſt hold of Repentance, to return all it can, after it hath loſt its Inocency, Purity and …erfection, of Righteouſneſs and Obedience; even as it ſhould have mov'd, firſt powerfully and effectually againſt ſin, and to good: and the ſame motion of Natural Conſcience, that is to the one, is to the other alſo; when it is ſtirr'd up by further G…ace from the Spirit of God; and there are generally ſuch motions as argue this work in the Heart, when the Conſcience is not depriv'd of ſenſe, Feeling, Vigor, not twice Dead, pull'd up by the roots, deliver'd up to a reprobate ſenſe; and when God hath given ſo great, and gracious Auſſrance, that Repentance ſhall find Pl…ce for it ſelf; That this ſtate is not Hell, either in regard of the height of Wickedneſs or unpardonableneſs; it is an eaſy and very Intelligible Declination of Conſcience from the Azimuth, the higheſt point of Innocency to the next point Repentance: which by the righteouſneſs and obedience of the Redeemer ſhall tranſcend the very firſt heighth; But that indeed is known by Revelation, and not by Natural Light: But take Repentance, as it is the neceſſary reſerve after ſin, and that God hath provided it a Place; ſo it is near, and even next to Natural Conſcience.

p. 23Poſit. 2. The ſecond poſition I lay down concerning Repentance, and that gives the trueſt degree of its Elevation through the Redeemer, is; That the word of God in the Old and New Teſtament gives the cleareſt and fulleſt knowledg of Repentance, and of the Divine Spring of it; the grace of God in Chriſt, and the bleſſed operation of the Holy Spirit through his Redemption: Repentance therefore is found to be one of the principal Doctrines of Scripture, whein it is conveyed unto us under all the variety, and complex of Notions, that can expreſs ſo great a point to us, viz. remembring, bethinking, turning, converting, renewing, amending, ſearching and Trying our ways, turning to the Lord, bringing forth fruits meet for Repentance. The Rev…lation of the word of God beyond all expreſſion excells Natural Knowledg concerning it: It opens to us the great Prince, the Redeemer and Mediator; who gives it a place, a poſſibility; he is the Prince, whom God hath raiſed up to make this ſupreme Donation,Acts c. 5.35. c. 3.26.Acts 5:35 repentance, and forgiveneſs of Sins, and bleſſes in turning us away from every one of our Iniquities: Scripture opens to us that great and bleſſed Spring, …d …fficient of it, viz. the true grace of God; and the bleſſed Spirit is the efficient of it; It lays before us the great motives of it, the ſenſe of the favor and goodneſs of God who will have mercy, Eſa. 55.7, Heb. c. 12.24. v. 29.Isa 55:7Heb 12:24and abundantly Pardon; ſeal'd to us by ſo great an Attonement, as the Blood of Jeſus ſpeaking better things than the Blood of Abel; and on the other ſide, a dread of him, who is a conſuming fire; the living G…d, into p. 24whoſe hands in his wrath and diſpleaſure, It is a dreadful thing to fall; the wrath that is to come, 1 Theſ. 1.101 Thess 1:10and ever to come; it gives us all the qualifications of it, Repentance with the whole Heart, turning from all our evil ways, and all the evil in our evil ways; it moves us with all manner of Applications, that may ſtir us up to it; commands, exhortations, counſels, Threats; it never leaves ſpeaking,Ezek. 18.30Ezek 18:30 and crying out to us, Repent; it ſays to us, Repent, and turn your ſelves;Matt. 4.17.Matt 4:17 ſo Iniquity ſhall not be your Ruin: It preaches, Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand; Ezek. 18.30.Ezek 18:30it even weeps over us, that we would do it;Luke 19.42.Luke 19:42 Turn you, turn you, for why will ye Die? It weeps, when we have not known, even we, in our day the things of our peace; It offers it as the only remedy againſt Eternal Miſery; Repentance is adviſed expreſly to five of the ſeven Churches, Revel. c. 2. c. 3. to ſhew the univerſality and neceſſity of its uſe: It is one of the great principles of the Doctrine of Christ, Heb. 6.1. and thus Repentance is the moſt Native, Domeſtick Doctrin of the Word of God, and of the Goſpel of Jeſus Christ; ſo that what is found in the Light of Nature, ſerves to theſe lower purpoſes only:

1. It ſerves to the purpoſe of Human Order, Government, and preſervation of the World from falling into a perfect Hell; for were there not ſome ſentiments of God, of his Mercy, and readineſs to forgive, tending to make men better; were there not a ſenſe of the goodneſs of Righteouſneſs, Temperance, Mercy, and of all Virtue; p. 25not only as what we ſhould firſt be, but alſo, what we ſhould endeavour to return to, when we have Fallen; were there not ſuch a thing, as Vicious Men being reſtrain'd from running into utmoſt exceſs and extremity; and as, being reclaimld, corrected, reform'd, moderated, and cultivated by precepts of Natural Religion, Wiſdom, add Morality; all which flow from, and are ſpecimens of the Scripture Doctrin and grace of Repentance; the World would be a ſtye of ſenſualiſts and impure Creatures, wallowing in bruitiſh, and worſe than Swiniſh Luſts: And did not this Notion ſweeten men one to another, the World would be a Deſert or Wilderneſs of Savage, and Wild Beaſts, tearing in peices one another; and both ways a Hell of a World.

2. Hereby God will juſtify himſelf in the condemnation of the Pagan World; that they have not only the Law Written in their Hearts, but ſo much of the Goſpel alſo, as this great notion of Repentance Teaches; For when the Reſpit of forty Days imported it to the King, and City of Nineveh; why ſhould not that Patience, wherewith God governs even the Pagan World, Preach Repentance to it? Why ſhould they not be led to Repentance by the Witneſs they have of God, and of his goodneſs in giving them fruitful times and ſeaſons, and ſilling their Hearts with food and gladneſs; which he would not leave himſelf without in his great Wiſdom, and Righteouſneſs, as well as Mercy and Grace? How does this riches of Goodneſs, Long-ſuffering, and Forbearance, Rom. 2.3.4.Rom 2:3Rom 2:4if not lead them to Repentance, juſtify their Condemnation; who after their hardneſs and Impenitent p. 26Hearts Treaſure up to themſelves wrath, against the day of wrath? So that as Niniveh ſhall riſe up in Judgment with thoſe, who repented not at the Preaching of Chriſt, the greater than Jonah; ſo it ſhall riſe up in Judgment with other Heathen Nations, Cities and People, who might by the ſame proportion have been argued to Repentance; ſo that tho God hath in his ſupreme Dominion and Juſtice, thought fit to deny them, what Chriſt ſays, They would have repented in Sack-cloth and Aſhes upon; yet even by the ſtandard of Nineveh's Repentance, they'r not Repenting by that Light they have, will be Condemned at the manifeſtation of that righteous Judgment of G…d the Apoſtle ſpeaks of in that forenam'd, Rom. 2.

3. The great Goodneſs of God, in Chriſt, giving the Notion of Repentance into the Heart of Man; (ſeeing the Original of whatever is worthy, or Excellent in Man, is but a Tranſcript, or Copy taken from the ſup…eme Excellency and Goodneſs) hath thereby dlſpos'd the Hear… of Man to a Readineſs to forgive, one man to forgive another; and thereby to be engaged to an Acknowledgment of Offences one again…t ano…her: to deſire Pardon, and to offend no more: Wherein much of the Peace and Happineſs of Humane Nature, in this preſent ſtate, is ſupported and preſerv'd: And herein, and by theſe very mutual Repentances toward, and Forgiveneſſes one of another, is there a greater Illuſtration of the Grace and Goodneſs of God, in Pardon and Forgiveneſs upon Repentance, and thereby an Invitation, Encouragement, and leading to Repentance towards God. For in that the Goſpel-Command, to forgive them, who having treſpaſſed against us, tho p. 27ſeven times a day, turn again, and ſay, I repent: and that if we forgive not men their treſpaſſes, neither will our Heavenly Father forgive us: Our Lord both appeals to the Senſe of Mankind, and excites and encourages unto Repentance towards God, in hope of Forgiveneſs; as well as to mutual Repentances, and Forgiveneſs for the Peace and Good of Mankind; to which our Lord had great Regard in all he ſaid, and did.

4. The Natural Light God hath given concerning Repentance, and the Senſe in Man's Soul concerning the Goodneſs and Reaſonableneſs of that Grace and Duty; upon which the Redeemer hath pointed the Law written in the Heart; is as a Ground, and Rude Draught, that the Knowledge of Repentance, by the Word of God, and Divine Revelation, accompliſhes, and fills up; and that the Spirit of God plants his Supreme Operations upon; even as Sanctification is engrafted into that Senſe of Good and Evil that is found in the Soul of Man; and thoſe Irritations, and Provokings of Natural Conſcience, to do the Good, and fly from the Evil.

For thus Jeſus Chriſt hath, as our Creator and Redeemer, our Preſerver and Mediator in one, taken Care to ſecure a Remnant, and Remainder, of whatever was excellent in his firſt Creation; that it may be taken hold of, and be applied to in Redemption.

And thus I have …deavoured to diſcourſe the Ground-work and Foundation of this Grace, Duty and Doctrine of Repentance; That it is all ſetled in the Grace and Mercy of God in the Redeemer, without which it had been an utter Impoſſibility, and there p. 28had been no more, nor any other Repentance, than what is in Hell. I come therefore to the Second Head:

Head 2. Here is plainly laid down to us the great Elaboratory, or Instrument God hath prepared in infinite Wiſdom, and Grace, and in-laid the Soul with in order to Repentance: Godly Sorrow, or Sorrow after, and according to God, worketh down, or brings into Effect this Repentance: This God hath prepar'd as a Natural Affection of it ſelf, and in its own General and Original Form, fit to ſuch a purpoſe; and then God ſanctifies it to rhis Great Purpoſe,Acts 4.12.Acts 4:12 to work this Repentance to Salvation, not to be repented of. It is an immediate Instrument in the Hand of God, to operate under his Spirit, to ſo great an Effect: Of this I ſhall diſcourſe in Three Generals:

General 1. I begin therefore with a Deſcription of Sorrow, firſt, as it is a Natural Affection, or Paſſion of the Humane Nature; and then as it is ſanctified by God, or as it becomes a Sorrow after God, and is fitted to ſo great an End and Purpoſe; and as it is ſo, it is counterdiſtinguiſh'd to worldly Sorrow, that worketh Death.

General. 2. I will conſider the excellent Uſe and Service of godly Sorrow, to ſo great an End and Putpoſe, as the working Repentance to Salvation.

General 3. I will open the Wiſdom of God, and the Reaſonableneſs of his making uſe of Sorrow, and fitting it as after himſelf, or according to himſelf, to ſo great an End and Purpoſe; and that according to the very Reaſon and Nature of Things, it could not p. 29be otherwiſe, but that godly ſorrow muſt be ſo made uſe of above, and before any other Affection; and that it becomes him, by whom, and for whom are all things ſo to make uſe of it.

General 1. For the Deſcription of this Affection of godly Sorrow: Firſt, as it is a Natural Affection, or Paſſion of the Humane Nature; and then as it is ſanctified by God, or becomes Sorrow ofter God, and is counter-diſtinguiſh'd to the ſorrow of the World, that worketh Death.

Sorrow then, as it is an Affection, or Paſſion of the Humane Nature, muſt be conſidered Two ways; and each of them muſt be applied to the Sorrow that works Repentance, or to Sorrow according to God; and ſo a different and oppoſite Sorrow to the ſorrow of this World.

1. Sorrow, that is a Humane Paſſion, or Affection, muſt either begin in the Body, and ſo paſſeth from the Soul, and aſcends up to the Spirit of a Man; or it begins in the higher Region, the Spirit, and deſcends by the Soul into the Body, and makes Impreſſions ſuitable to its own Nature there; and the Body is govern'd according to this Affection, and to its Place, Eſtimation, Power with, and Intereſt in the Spirit.

Now indeed all Affection, and even Paſſion, to ſpeak moſt ſtrictly and properly, is in the Spirit; For it is all one to matter, how it be uſed; or into what Form it is made to paſs: or out of what, or in diſjunction from what Form it is forc'd to move: So that All we feel, by way of ſuffering, or Enjoyment, is by the Spirit's having a Pleaſing, or an Afflicting Senſe of Things: But this I wave, as not ſo neceſſary p. 30to the Practical Diſcourſe of Repentance I intend. It is plain and certain, the ſenſe of ſome things begins in the Spirit; viz. thoſe things which are proper to the Narure of a Spirit, and which are ſo, proper to a Spirit, whether it dwelt in a Body or not: But yet when the Spirit is affected with them, becauſe it inhabits a Body, the Affection of the Spirit, even whether the Spirit will or not, works upon the Matter and Fr…me of that Body; and thereby the Truth, and Reality of the Spirit's being affected, is diſcovered to it ſelf; and it may alſo be thereby diſcovered to others: On the other ſide, there are Paſſions, or Affections, that the Spirit is affected with, as finding it ſelf mov'd and concern'd; as that Frame of Body, wherein it dwells, is either more or leſs fited for its Enjoyment of it ſelf in that Body; or put, quite out of Order; or is in pain, and afflicted ſo, as to afflict the Spirit: And both, and each of theſe is in ſome Degree ſerviceable to godly ſorrow, though the firſt is the Chief and Principal in godly ſorrow.

1. The Spirit of Man affected with the conſideration of ſin, as it hath all the Reaſons of ſorrow in it; as it is a foul, and impure, and ſhameful thing; and as it is an Offence againſt the Holy, and only Wife and gracious Majeſty of God; and as it brings Wrath, and Ruine, and Condemnation upon it; contemplates, conſiders, and weighs thoſe Reaſons, and thereby finds it ſelf affected with ſorrow and affliction, as if it were after the manner of a broken Bone, or bruiſed Fleſh: Thus we read of a broken and contrite Spirit; and of thoſe who are bruiſed in Spirit, and grieved in Spirit; and of a wounded and a troubled Spirit; and of a ſorrowful Spirit: And this p. 31when it eyes God, as a Father in Chriſt, Gracious, and Good, and ready to be Reconcil'd, and to forgive, is a true godly Sorrow, or a Sorrow after God: For it is in the True Region of godly ſorrow, the Spirit; and it hath the Right Senſe and Affection, even ſuch an apprehenſion of God: And ſuch a Sorrow the Spirit communicates to the Body in which it dwells, ſo as to make the Appearance of it Solemn, Humble, and Lowly: It denies it thoſe Ornaments or Refreſhments, that it ſelf at other Times deſires for it; it bridles, and curbs its own appetites and deſires of pleaſure and ſatisfaction in it; it humbles it by Faſting, it lays it in the Duſt, it keeps it waking, it diſſolves it into Tears; and if it be very great, as ſometimes, it dries up the Benign Juices of it, and it carries all the Marks of the Spirit ſo affected. And becauſe theſe ariſe from a ſorrow within, after God, God is pleaſed with them, and accepts them, as ſigns of ſuch ſorrow, and calls for them.

2. The Sickneſſes, or Wants, or Pains, or Notes of Diſgrace, that the Wiſe, and Holy Providence of God ſends ſometimes upon the Body, that make it an uneaſie, or a diſhonourable Habitation of the Spirit: Theſe the Spirit takes Notice of with troubleſome and unquiet thoughts; the thoughts being in a Motion, a Conflict, and Agony; if by the Grace of God, they are guided to ſearch the Cauſes of theſe Strokes on the Body; and finds them to be an offended Justice, a provoked and diſpleaſed Holineſs, upon the account of Sin and Iniquity; and that it apprehends Theſe are but the Beginnings of Sorrows; and that they are Indications and Fore-bodes of Wrath to come, and of further Judgments from Heaven, even at the preſent, upon both Body and Spirit, if there be not that courſe p. 32taken, of ſeeking Pardon and Reconcilement in Chriſt, and turning from Iniquity: Theſe thoughts ſanctified, and conducted by God upon himſelf thus, upon the occaſion of outward affliction, become that ſorrow after God, of which the Apoſtle ſpeaks, and often works that Repentance to ſalvation, never to be Repented of.

Thus Scripture very often ſpeaks of Outward Afflictions, made ſerviceable to Converſion, to returns to God: Famine, and Peſtilence, and War, and Captivity in the Land of Enemies, are Repreſented in the Prayer of Solomon, as great Motives, and even procuring, and exciting Cauſes of Humiliation, Bethinking our ſelves, turning to the Lord. The Afflictions of Men are often ſpoken of by God, and uſed as Arguments to ſuch Reſentments as call to Self-judging, and ſo to reforming: …ven often not only in the Old but in the New Tectament: We are Chasten'd of the Lord, that we might not be condemned with the World; Affliction yieldeth the peaceable Fruit of Righteouſneſs to them, who are exerciſed thereby, 1 Cor. 11.31. Heb. 12.11.

Both theſe Operations of godly ſorrow, ſeem to be Repreſented with a great Elegancy,V. 14. and Holy Eloquence, Job 33. the firſt, when this Sorrow begins in the Spirit of a Man, and Thoughts ariſing therein. God ſpeaks once, and twice; in a Dream, in a Viſion of the Night; He opens the Ears of Men, and ſealeth their Inſtruction; That he may withdraw Man from his purpoſe, and hide Pride from Man: He brings him to ſuch Humiliation, as keeps him from going on in his former purpoſe.

p. 33Again when ſorrow begins in the Body, v. 19. He, a man, any man upon whom the methods of God for Repentance are ſo laid; is chaſten'd with pain upon his Bed, and the multitude of his Bones with ſtrong Pain; ſo that his Life abhorreth Bread, and his Soul dainty meat; his Fleſh is conſumed away, that it cannot be ſeen, and his bones that were not ſeen ſtick out; yea his Soul draweth near unto the Grave, and his Life to the Deſtroyers; if there be a Meſſenger with him, an Interpreter one among a thouſand, to ſhew to man his uprightneſs, then he is gracious unto him, and ſaith, deliver him from going down to the Pit; I have found a Ranſom; his Fleſh ſhall be freſher than a Childs; He ſhall pray unto God, and he will be Favourable unto him; and he ſhall ſee his Face with Joy, he will Render unto man his Righteouſneſs.

And now this ſorrow, thus after God, ſanctified thus, to have Reſpect to God, and carried out after him, is Counter diſtinguiſh'd; it is moſt different from the ſorrow of the World, that worketh Death. The ſorrow, that hath no higher ſpring, than this World, works Death; that is, however the Mind, or the Body be Affected; when it does not mount up to a conſideration of God, offended for ſin; when it does not ſeek pardon of him, and Reconciliation to him in Chriſt; when it only pores upon the things of this World, and agitates it ſelf about them; it runs down into the dead Sea of Sorrow, that weeping, and wailing, and gnaſhing of Teeth that is in Hell. It is an Idolatrous Sorrow, ariſing from an Heart deeply ſet on this World, and glewed to it; and ſo goes down into the Vault and Pit of eternal Sorrow: It tends to the Death of the Body; it brings down the Head to the Grave: It p. 34tends to wear, and grind bodily Nature to the Duſt; every ſuch ſorrow not after God, that hath no tincture from him on it; If it be not Antidoted by ſorrow after God, and by Repentance to Salvation, It tends to eternal Death, and is the Inlet unto it; For it is certain, all ſorrow here, that comes from Heaven, aſcends up to Heaven, as Water aſcends as high as its Spring; But that which is of a terrene, earthly Nature, ſinks down to the Center, which is the neathermoſt Hell.

I come now to the ſecond Head, to ſhew the excellent uſe and ſervice, ſorrow after God, yeilds in this wiſe, and holy preparation of it by God to that Repentance to ſalvation, not to be Repented of.

1, In that, ſo great, and principal an Affection of the Soul is given up to God; It hath an uſe, and a ſervice to ſteer the Soul to God; For the Affections are, as the Rudder of the Soul, as the Helm of it, guided by the judgment, as by a Pilot: And theſe affections are all in a Linck, and in a chain: If any one of the principal Affections are mov'd, that mighty Veſſel of the whole Soul is turn'd this way, or that way by a very ſmall thing, as it may ſeem; even by one Affection, becauſe all are joyn'd and united with it: For where Sorrow goes, Love goes, becauſe ſorrow is for the want of ſome good, the Souls deſires; If then ſorrow be after God, and for Holineſs; It aſſures, the Soul hath a ſpringing Love for God and Holineſs, and in the diſtance it apprehends it ſelf from theſe, it laments. Where ſorrow goes, there hatred alſo goes: For ſorrow ariſes from ſome evil that the Soul hates and abhors, p. 35that preſſes in upon it: In ſorrow after God, ſin, and the wrath, and diſpleaſure of God, is, what the Soul hates; and it finding theſe near, and cloſing upon it, it ſorrows and laments that they may be caſt out and removed. And how do theſe, the Love of God, and hatred of ſin work to Repentance? And thus alſo it might be ſhewn, How Fear, Hope, Joy, Delight move as ſorrow moves. The Apoſtle knowing with what a ſtrength, and force, and preſence the Affections move, writes to the Coloſſians, c. 2. To ſet their Affections on things above: For if the Affections are ſo ſet, the Spirit and Soul will be ſo ſet, and therefore the whole man will be ſo ſet. O… the contrary, the ſorrow of the World carries the ſtrength of the Soul, the Affections on the World; which not able to ſuſtain and bear up an Immortal Spirit, it often deſtroys the Body by Violence; and leaves the Soul to ſink alſo, the Spirit to fall down from God, which is the Death of it.

2. The Affection of ſorrow, is the Affection that is moſt properly converſant about ſin, and the conſequences of it; the wrath, and diſpleaſure of God, the curſe, and evil. Now then, as ſin is a departure from God the fountain of Life, and happineſs, the ſupreme good, and ſo uſhers in, and introduces all unhappineſs: ſo ſorrow that is after God, begins in the apprehenſion of God, and of his Law; and ſo deſcends on all the evil conſequential, or following on the loſs of God: But the ſorrow of the World, not beginning with God, fetters it ſelf with the Evils which preſs upon it, with relation to the preſent World; which can never be well removed without removing the principal cauſe, ſin, and the diſpleaſure p. 36of God for it: But to this the ſorrow of this World hath no regard, and ſo is never cured, but becomes of a peice with the ſorrows of the ſecond Death: For ſo all ſorrow here not Healed by the repentance to Salvation, not to be repented of, (which Heals the ſorrow after God) becomes one with the ſorrows of Hell, and everlasting wailing: By godly ſorrow therefore, ſorrow is made to be its own Death, and Plagues. For working repentance to Salvation, never to be repented of, When it is ſorrow after God, it is the Deſtruction of all ſorrow. For it can be no longer, but, as Scripture ſpeaks, forrow and ſighing ſhall flee away, and there ſhall be no more ſorrow. As it came in by ſin, ſo by ſin Repented of, and Pardoned, it for ever ceaſes, and vaniſhes away: So ſorrow is converſant about its proper object, and cauſe, and it hath the great effect of removing it ſelf; and of it ſelf looſing it ſelf in that Joy, that follows upon the Salvation of that Repentance it ſelf hath wrought; which muſt needs make an end of Sorrow, or Perfects it into it ſelf never to be Repented of.

3. The ſerviceableneſs of godly ſorrow to Repentance, is, that this Affection of all the Affections, or Paſſions of the human Soul, is that which makes it wiſe, and conſiderative; ſeeing Repentance then, that is to Salvation, is a moſt Wiſe, and prudent grace; This Affection of ſorrow is moſt preparatory, and contributary to it. The ſorrow after God is no Ignorant, or unreaſonable Paſſion, or Affection; call'd Attrition; no ſuperſtitious Pennance, or ceremony of Sorrow, not a mere ſoftneſs, and diſſolving into Tears; not any deſultory Paſſion, that falls into ſome morning Dew, or as it p. 37were, heat Drops; but a deep inward trouble, that we have offended God, and ſinn'd againſt him, and endangered our ſelves to Eternity by our ſins: And however, there may be at firſt ſome ſudden ſtroke, or Impreſſion, and a Paſſion upon it, that may go off; yet it is indeed a ſpring that diſ-embogues it ſelf through the whole courſe of a Chriſtians Life: There is a ſorrow, and a relenting of Soul, that is a ſoft Dew, or Diſtillation from the Soul upon it ſelf, that makes it very tender, humble, and Apprehenſive of the Evil of Sin; of the Ingratitude, and unthankfulneſs of having ſinned againſt God, and given Offence to the Eyes of his Holineſs, and of his Glory. And as this ariſes from underſtanding, ſo it begets underſtanding, and cloſe Conſideration; It is obſerv'd in Nature, that ſorrow and ſadneſs encline to Wiſdom, and attentneſs of Mind; Vexation gives underſtanding, is a ſaying: And hereunto the wiſe King Solomon agrees,Eccleſ. 7.3. &c.Eccl 7:3 ſorrow is better than laughter. It is better to go to the houſe of Mourning, than to the houſe of Feasting; for the Living will lay it to Heart. And by the ſadneſs of the Countenance, the Heart is made better. In the day of Adverſity conſider, that is the proper ſeaſon of it; Generally, our Mirth and Rejoycing is too lighr and flaſhy; it ſcatters, and ſets the Spirits in wandring; I ſaid of Laughter, it is Mad, and of Mirth, what does it? As the cracking of Thorns under a Pot, ſo the Laughter of Fools is Vanity. Sorrow is like a ſhade that congregates, and gathers up the Spirits to think, and weigh, and poize things. Sorrow loves ſolitude, and ſo the Repenting Perſon is deſcribed; he ſitteth alone, p. 38and keepeth ſilence, becauſe he hath born it upon him. Lam. 3.28.Lam 3:28Vanity, and folly, the pleaſures of ſin, that are but for a ſeaſon, cannot endure the tediouſneſs, and melancholly of an Hour alone: And this is the unhappineſs of mankind, they cannot endure to be alone, and to ſpeak with themſelves; I hearken'd and heard, but no man ſpake aright, Jerem. 8.6.Jer 8:6or ſaid, What have I done? We are ſo naturally for Diverſion, They that are not ſo mad, as to to be for the roar, and madneſs of Company; yet they cannot be content, without what, we call Divertiſement and Merryment, and cannot endure ſorrow and ſadneſs.

Let us now but ask our ſelves, whether we think Solomon was a Wiſe Man, or not; and whether he was not in circumſtances of greateſt advantages to rejoyce in all the Pleaſure, Mirth, and Enjoyment of this World? which he calls, Laying hold on folly; Eccleſ. 2.1. &c.Eccl 2:1while yet he acquainted his Heart with Wiſdom to underſtand, what was the utmoſt amount, or to be had from all the Entertainments of that kind: And when he aſſures us, as he does, that Mirth is but Madneſs, and the Laughter of this World ſo unreaſonable; that no Man can tell, what it ſerves for, or to what purpoſe it is; and that he ſo much commends ſorrow to us; let us then take Counſel with our ſelves, whether he ſpake wiſely, or not? And what ſhall we think of the words of our Lord, Luke 6.21. Bleſſed are you that Weep, and you that Mourn; and, woe to you that Laugh. Now it is not to be ſuppoſed that ſo p. 39Good, and ſo Merciful, and ſo Gracious a Saviour, as our Lord Jeſus Chriſt is, ſhould envy to man any thing, that could be to the Good, and Welfare of his Nature. But he knew how much the Carnal Joy, and Mirth, that is ſo common, and ſo much valued among Men, laviſhes out thoſe Thoughts, and Spirits; and that Time, that ſhould be laid out upon ſo ſerious, and great things, as Reconciliation to God, Pardon of Sin, Newneſs of Heart, and Life; and that Sorrow, and Mourning, and Weeping are prepared by God, as fitted in their Nature to make us more Grave, and Pondering of Things; and that being Sanctified, and in the Hand of his Grace, are made uſe of to bring us home to himſelf: For when men are under ſadneſs, finding the prints of the Wrath, Juſtice, and Diſpleaſure of God upon them, they enquire after the Reaſon; Their ſins, as to Joſeph's Brethren, come to their Remembrance; They are provoked to move to God by Humiliation, Confeſſion of Sin, Prayer for Pardon, Deſire of his Grace, and Spirit to enable them to Reform; they enquire into his word, how they may cleanſe their way, order their Converſation aright to pleaſe him; they are moved to conſider by theſe drops, and Touches of Sorrow, what that ſtate of ſorrow without Banks or Bounds or Bottom is, where there is weeping, and wailing, and gnaſhing of Teeth: They are taken off from that Pride, and Self-Conceit; they find ſo little in all things here below, and in this preſent State, that they enquire for thoſe better, and greater Things that are Above, and in Eternity: When ſorrow, that diſpoſes to ſtrong, and ſerious enquiries becomes ſorrow after, and according to God; Oh! p. 40how excellently does it work? How do men ſearch, Lam. 3.40.Lam 3:40and try their ways that they may turn to God.

Now becauſe of the Order, that God hath plac'd ſorrow in to all theſe great Effects; therefore our Lord pronounc'd a Bleſſing upon Weeping, and Mourning. For elſe he loves our Joy, when it is Spiritual; he commands to Rejoyce in the Lord all way; and again he ſays, Rejoyce: He ſpoke many great things,John 15.11.John 15:11 that our Joy might be full; that he might fill our Mouths with Laughter, and our Tongues with Singing. But our carnal, our ſenſual Joys, he knows, are our Death, and Deſtruction; he knows we are in no better caſe in our prophane, fooliſh, ſinful Laughter, than they who are ſtung with the Tarantula, and Dye Laughing: Thus we have greateſt reaſon in the midſt of ſuch Laughter to be Sorrowful, and the end of that Mirth will be heavineſs: Thus it will be bitterneſs in the latter end, therefore he warns us of it before, and in greateſt Love to us, declares a Woe on ſuch Laughter.

But now to conclude this particular, The ſorrow of the World, How different a thing is it? For tho it cauſes Thoughts and Enquiries, yet it is only how to be rid of the Worldly Cauſes of Sorrow, and it turns only to Worldly Remedies: And it is very often in a rage at the cauſes it finds; and when either the Remedies are not to be found, or fail in their Succeſs, it is in a Rage, and flies out too often againſt God, and Providence, and ſo it works Death: It begins that Hatred of God, that Blaſphemy, and Rage, that is in Hell; or if it does not thus, it is a ſullen, deſpondent, unactive p. 41ſtate of Mind, that ſhuts, and ſeals up all Activity; like the Night wherein no Man can Work; John 9.4.John 9:4and ſo goes down into utter Darkneſs. It either ſay…, This evil is of the Lord, 1 Kings 6.33.1 Kgs 6:33why ſhould I wait any longer? Or like Cain, My Iniquities are greater, than can be Forgiven; and ſo haſtens out from the Preſence of God; or it recoyls upon it ſelf, as Saul, Achilophel, Judas; or the Heart under the Power of it Dies as a ſtone within it ſelf, as Nabals Heart died within him. 1 Sam. 25.27.1 Sam 25:27Thus it every way works Death, becauſe it hath nothing to do with him, who is the Fountain of Life:

For the Being of God is infinitely happy, and bleſſed, and all light, and luſtre; and in him is no Darkneſs at all of ſorrow as not of Sin; he therefore when ſorrow is after him, ſprings a Light into it; that whereas, the Dark and Black part ariſes from ſin, and the ſinful Creature; yet becauſe it is after him, it ſhall never ſet in the darkneſs of Death, and H…ll; It receives from him as a Tincture of Holineſs, ſo a Tincture of Life, a Ray and Beam of it; It works Repentance unto Life and to Salvation, and ſo it ſprings up aft…r into Jo… in his Favour in the Light of his Countenance, in the aſſurance of his Love.

But the Sorrow of the World is like a Night, that no kind of Light at all Enlightens. Like the Night Job Curſed, it does not turn to the Light, becauſe it is not turn'd to God; and ſo is a ſhade of Hell. …efore Hell it ſelf, a valley of the ſhaddow of Death: and the horrors of it are the beginnings of the horrors p. 42of Hell: As therefore Carnal Joys are ſparks of our own kindling, Eſay. 50. notwithſtanding which we ſhall lye down in ſorrow, even ſo is ſorrow not after God, as a black ſhade of our own.

4. The ſervice of ſorrow after God to Repentance unto Salvation, is, that it breaks, and forces aſunder that ſinful Frame in our Hearts, of ſin, and contrariety to God, and to Holyneſs: The very Natural Affection of ſorrow looſens, and Divides the Heart, from that which is the Cauſe and occaſion of ſuch ſorrow: Becauſe that great Self-love, the force of that Law of Self-preſervation is ſo ſtrong upon us; that ſeeing ſorrow is an Affection, that ſtands in an enmity to our Peace, Comfort, and Enjoyment, and to our Life it ſelf; if it be extreme, or too long continuing; we therefore come off from what is the occaſion, or that gives reaſon to our ſorrow; though we had exceedingly lov'd it before. This we find in all Caſes, and through the whole Nature of Things; when therefore ſin, and loſs of the favour of God becauſe of it, is made by the grace of God the juſt Reaſon, and moſt ſenſible, and prevailing reaſon of our ſorrow; It diſſolves the Frame of ſin in our Heart, that had been before compact, as the Adamant, and as the neither Mill-ſtone; Now this ſorrow dividing, and ſeparating between ſin, and the Soul; it brings forth that broken and contrite Heart, that God will not deſpiſe.

Again, This ſorrow is a ſpiritual melting, ſoftning and diſſolving Thing. It ſeparates the Soul every particle as it were from other; ſo that it is ſupple, ſoft, and ready to t…ke any figure, tha… God, p. 43would have it take; It brings the Soul to quick, and lively ſenſe, which is as it were taking the ſtone out of the Fleſh, and giving a Heart of Fleſh; It is that Spirit of Grace, of Ingenuous ſenſe of our Ingratitude, and unworthy carriage towards God, mentioned before out of Zech. 12. and Ezek. 36.

Hereupon the Apoſtle James preſſes to a great Mourning after God, or exerciſe of Godly ſorrow, James 4.8. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you; cleanſe your hands you ſinners, purify your hearts you double minded: How ſhould this great Self-Purification be Effected? By being Afflicted, by mourning and weeping; by having the Laughter turned to Mourning; and the Joy to Heavineſs. This Godly Sorrow, like waſhing and rubbing the Hands with Water, and the cloſe Application of it, ſoftens and looſens the Filth that cleaves ſo cloſe, adheres and ſticks ſo faſt to the Hands. And it ariſes from that Love, and Compaſſion, that is ſeated towards our ſelves in our own Natures, which, when it is by the Hand of Grace pointed aright; It is made a mighty Inſtrument, a mighty Efficacy for Converſion, and Repentance; becauſe when our great Diſguſt, our Sorrow and Self-Affliction is pitch'd upon ſin, we caſt it off, as that, which is the reaſon of our ſorrow; and that ſtands in our Eye, as hateful, loathſome filth, and impurity, that we can by no means endure; and therefore we ſay to it, get ye hence, Oh! you Foul and abominable Luſts, what have I any more to do with you?

But more particularly, two ways this Godly ſorrow works to Converſion, Repentance, Self-Purification.

p. 441. By being ſo prevailing upon the Soul, as to drink up all the impure, and unholy Affections in our Hearts. God giving it therefore by that his Spirit of Grace, and ingenuous ſenſe, an aſcendency, a ſuperiority over all other Affections in the Heart, at this time, he is working Repentance; it drinks up all the pleaſurable ſenſual Affections in a Man: when a man is in bitterneſs, as one is in bitterneſs for his firſt Born, and for an only Begotten Child; He hath no more Appetite nor Emotion of his Spirits to Luſt, and Senſuality, and ſinful Pleaſures, than ſuch a one hath to do the uſual Entertainments, and Pleaſures of Life; when God therefore calls for this ſorrow, he looks upon it as a great Offence; when there is ſlaying of Oxen, and drinking of Wine, Eſay. 22.13. Amos 6.3. &c.Isa 22:13Amos 6:3lying upon beds of Ivory, Chaunting to the ſound of Viols, Inventing Inſtruments of Muſick, like David; when there is putting on Apparel, and the Furniture of Pride: For then he commands us, as he did the Children of Iſrael after the ſin of the Golden Calf, to put off their Ornaments, Exod. 33.5.Exod 33:5that he might know what to do to them, whether the… ſhould, as true Penitents, be ſpar'd, or deſtroyed in their Impenitency; And indeed when any are under the power of this Godly Sorrow, in ſuch a poſture to Repentance, all ſuch Ornaments are nothing; All ſuch pleaſures are quite out of Taſt. The Soul hath no reliſh of them.

2: Godly ſorrow thus made an Inſtrument in the H…nd of Grace for working Repentance, hath by that its aſcendency and ſuperiority, an engagement p. 45upon all the other Affections with it ſelf, to the working Repentance alſo; this the Apoſtle ſhews in the very next words to theſe, we are Diſcourſing upon, 2 Cor. 7.11. For this very ſelf ſame thing, that ye ſorrowed after a Godly ſort; what carefulneſs it wrought in you, how great is the care and ſollicitude it works in all, that ſo ſorrow, to get out of their Sins, and to return home to God? What Apology for Holyneſs, for God, and againſt Sin? what Judgment againſt ſin? What Fear and Awe of God ſtriking to the very Heart of ſin? what vehement deſire after God, after true Grace, and perfect Reformation? and this boyling up to Zeal, or the heigth of Deſire; that Powerful Religious Affection, under the Operation of which a Man cannot bear Evil, no, not for a moment. And laſtly, there is an holy Revenge upon ſin, Sathan, luſt, even a man's ſinful ſelf; by which the Irreconcilable Hatred to every ſin is Diſcovered, and a Monument of that Hatred ſet up in the Soul.

Thus works godly ſorrow to Repentance; but the forrow of the World having nothing to do with God, with ſenſe of his Diſpleaſure for ſin, with ſin, as ſo great a reaſon of ſorrow and trouble; the Spirit remains in all its former Frame of union to the world, and to ſin; and ſo with the whole ſtate of ſin, and of the World, and of ſorrow, it ſinks down to the center, to the place of ſorrow for ever; For when ſorrow that is the Inſtrument of God in working Repentance, does not prevail to that God's end; it more certainly ſinks down to its Center, and that with great Violence; as we ſee in thoſe fore-nam'd Examples of Cain, Eſau, Saul, Akitophel, Judas, who not ſorrowing to Repentance went p. 46down with greater violence to the Chambers of Death and Sorrow, even everlaſting ſorrow.

5. The efficacy of godly ſorrow to Repnntance, is, that it makes the Soul very humble before God; the natural effect of ſorrow is to meeken, and bow the Spirit; heavineſs in the Heart of Man makes it stoop, Prov. 12.25 the guiſe and mein, or Poſture of ſorrow, is to bow down the head like a Bull-ruſh. The Hipocritical mourner does ſo, to imitate true ſorrow, Eſay. 58.5. Now this indeed, except it turn to God, and have Relation to him, is the meanneſs and puſilanimity of a Man; but it is the true greatneſs of Mind to lye down before God, and Tremble in his Preſence, as the melted Metal trembles and quivers before the Founder: This diſſolving, melting Efficacy of godly ſorrow is that, which turning to God makes the Heart ſubmit it ſelf, as the Apoſtle James ſpeaks in the ſame Context, c. 4.10. Ʋnder the mighty hand of God, Acts c. 9.6. c. 16.30.Acts 9:6that he may lift it up; it ſays to God, Lord what wilt thou have me to do? It ſays, what ſhall I do to be ſav'd? What ſhall I do, what ſhall I do in obedience to God? It treads ſoftly before God, as if it ſaid to him, Lord, which way wilt thou have me to go? Which Ahab doing, tho not with a perfect Heart, receiv'd ſome degree of Favour by, 1 Kings 21.27, 29.

Now this Humility, how acceptable is it to God! How yeilding to his Command! God gives grace to it; Eſay. 66.2. c. 57.15.Isa 66:2God looks off from Heaven and Earth to look to that man that is of a contrite Spirit, and trembles p. 47at his word: He that is the high and lofty one, that dwells in the high and holy Place, and Inhabits Eternity, will Dwell alſo with the humble ſpirit to revive the Spirit of the Humble. Job 33.17.Job 33:17This ſorrow hides Pride from man, as the expreſſion is in Job, and ſo fits it to all holy returns to God by Repentance: It withdraws man from his purpoſe: It changes the purpoſe of Man;Acts 11.13.Acts 11:13 that which was the full purpoſe of the Heart before, was to cleave to ſin, and the world, now the heart cleaves to God with its full purpoſe.

This humble broken Spirit is the Sacrifice of God, the Sacrifice he will not deſpiſe, becauſe it is ready to yeild up it ſelf in all obedience to him.Pſal. 51.17.Ps 51:17

But the ſorrow of the World, not eying God, nor having regard to him, never changes the Heart, nor Life into obedience to him; and ſo leaves a man in the ſame loſt undone ſtate; and ſo becomes deſperate Sorrow and Anguiſh, as the Scripture calls it, Eſay 8.22. and may be moſt fitly deſcribed by Jer. c. 4.28. They are all greivous Revolters; they are Braſs and Iron; they are all Corrupters; the Bellows are burnt, the Lead is conſumed of the Fire; the Founder melteth in vain; for the Evil of the Heart is not pulled away; reprobate ſilver ſhall men call them, becauſe the Lord hath rejected them. When God therefore, as the great Founder, Caſting men as into the Furnace of ſorrow, they are not purged f…om Evil; the Melting is in vain, and they are therefore Rejected by God, as Reprobate Silver. When Sorrow and Affliction, which are as the Chirurgery, or Blood-Letting of the gracious Hand of God, p. 48Effects nothing of Good; it is as the Corruption of the whole Maſs of Blood, and is certainly to Death.

6. When ſorrow is placed upon offence againſt a Perſon, and upon unthankful, and diſingenuous Treaty of him, there ariſes a Love and Compaſſion to that Perſon, a ſhame to offend further; a reſolution to make him all the reparations we are able, and the greater the Bitterneſs, the greater the Effect: And though theſe cannot be properly placed, as iſſuing from the Creature towards the Creator; yet Scripture repreſenting God, as hath been ſaid, Grieved, Peirced, preſs'd with Sin, it repreſents the grieved ſorrowing, relenting ſinner, ſo Affected, as if there were an Ingenuous, even Compaſſion and Love towards God the Creator; and unwillingneſs ſo to grieve, and provoke any further; It repreſents therefore the higheſt degrees of Bitterneſs, and a ſorrow as for a First Born, Zech. 12.10.Zech 12:10and for an only begotten Child, or Son; or like that moſt compaſſionate Lamentation for the excellent Prince Joſiah, 2 Chron. 25.25.2 Chr 25:25ſlain at Megiddo, that was ſo continued a ſorrow, as to be ſpoken of in Lamentation to that day, as Scripture uſes to ſpeak; now ſeeing Repentance it ſelf, as hath been ſhewn in the general Nature of it, hath ſo much of this; The ſorrow, that is Affected like it, is moſt fitted, and prepard to work it; and it is ſo bleſſed by God to work it; whereas the ſorrow of the World is like Clouds without this Rain of Heaven, and Wells without this Water of Salvation, and therefore ſettles, as into the Lake of the p. 49ſecond Death, and ſmells of its Brimstone.

And thus far I have proceeded, to make out the ſerviceableneſs of godly ſorrow, or ſorrow after God, that works Repentance to Salvation never to be Repented of.

General 3d. I come now to the third General, concerning ſorrow for Sin, viz. To ſhew the Wiſdom of God, and the Reaſonableneſs of his making uſe of ſorrow; and fitting it, as after himſelf, or according to himſelf, to ſo great an end and purpoſe; and that according to the very Reaſon, and Nature of Things, it could not be otherwiſe; but that godly ſorrow muſt be ſo made uſe of above, and before any other Affection; and that it becomes him, by whom are all things, and for whom are all things, ſo to make uſe of it.

1. There can be, according to what the Apoſtle ſays, no other object of Rational, Intellectual Sorrow, but only the loſs of the Favour of God, or his diſpleaſure for ſin, or ſubordinated to it; which makes it ſorrow after God. For if on one ſide the ſorrow ſo plac'd, and fix'd, hath ſo bleſſed Effects, that he that ſo ſorrows, receives no iniury by it, but ſo great good, as Repentance to Salvation, never to be Repented of; that it is not ſo much Loſt, as chang'd into Fulneſs of Joy, and ſo perfected; and on the other ſide, that ſorrow laid out on any other object, (which is ſorrow after the World) works Death: Then it muſt needs become the wiſe, and gracious God, of whom, by whom are all things in bringing many Sons to Glory, to bring them to Perfection, by ſuch a ſorrow as this.

p. 50For if God was pleas'd to make ſuch a Rational, Intellectual Nature, as man, that might, though made Holy, fall into ſin; It muſt needs be, that it muſt have a fitneſs to turn it ſelf with ſorrow upon ſuch an evil, and reaſon of ſorrow, as God offended and diſpleas'd for ſin; ſuppoſing a man, by that ſin had not loſt either the uſe of his Underſtanding, or not loſt the ſenſe of God, Holineſs, and Goodneſs; ſeeing if it did not lye Dead, and Benummed, or ſtrongly diverted and turned off from its Object; or that God does not appear an Irreconcileable Judg, and Revenger, and give up man to the wickedneſs and rage of Death. It muſt ſo turn.

Whenever therefore God by his grace in Chriſt, and by his Spirit, turns any ſinner to himſelf, and ſtirs up thoſe Powers of underſtanding, and Conſcience after himſelf; The very order of the Creation of God Requires, that the underſtanding and Natural Conſcience, and Affection of Man ſhould be turn'd upon him, diſpleas'd by Sin, by this humble ſorrow of Love; even as upon his wrath, and Vengeance, with a ſorrow of Pain, Fear, and Terror; ſo that both the Bondage of Fear of Death, Heb. 2.15.Heb 2:15and the Reverence of godly Fear, and Love move to this ſorrow, and the wiſe order of Things ſettled by God, cannot allow it otherwiſe.

On the other ſide, if the turn of the Rational Nature, and Affection, be drawn out upon the ſenſe of any evil with trouble, and diſlike, and reflection on its diſagreeableneſs and inconveniency, and yet its preſſure upon it; which is ſorrow, grief, and ſadneſs; it muſt either be turn'd upon God offended, and diſpleas'd by ſin; or it is to no purpoſe p. 51of good, that there is ſuch a Paſſion or Affection in man: For if it be plac'd on any other object, it is but ſorrow of this World, how juſt ſo ever, in regard of any evil of ſuffering, it may ſeem to be: It is but ſorrow to Death, and ſo of no good at all to us, but evil, till it be deriv'd into a higher and more excellent Channel: So that it may be ſaid of this ſorrow, as Solomon ſays of Laughter. It is madneſs, and what doth it? And in place of Thorns crackling under a Pot; It is as the ſlow Fire, Eccleſ. 7.2. &c.Eccl 7:2of too near agreement with that of Brimstone of the Lake: It is not of any merciful or gracious uſe, but for the manifeſtation of the wrath, and diſpleaſure of God againſt ſin.

2. Let us conſider ſeriouſly, what Jeſus Chriſt our Lord ſuffered under the ſenſe of ſin; and then think whether it be reaſonable; that the whole ſhould fall on him, and none of the drops, and end of it, come to us, and ſo be fill'd up by us? Col. 1.24.Col 1:24We ſhould never read that part of Sacred Hiſtory of the Agony of Chriſt, but we ſhould deeply take it to Heart, Luke 22.44. He being in an Agony, Prayed more earneſtly, and his ſweat was as it were drops of Blood: Chriſt was not at this time ſeiz'd upon, and in the hands of thoſe that Crucified him, but was in perfect Meditation, in an entire ſolitude of Thoughts: He was in Contemplation of the great evil of ſin, and of the wrath and juſtice of God upon it:

We may then ſay, Dyed Chriſt as a Fool? Or was Christ in an Agony, as a Fool, or as a weak perſon? p. 52Did he not purſue the true Reaſon of Things? Did he not follow ſin by his holy and wiſe conſideration of it from its beginning to its end? Did he not ſee it, as God looks upon it, and as the Nature of ſin requires, it ſhould be looked upon? Did he not behold it in the ruin, and damnation of mankind, in the everlaſting horror of Conſcience in Hell? If not, why this Agony? Did he not behold our ſins in all the aggravations of them? Elſe why was our Lord under a ſorrow, that no ones ſorrow was like to it: He might juſtly ſay, to all that Read of it, behold, was any mans ſorrow like to mine? Ought we not therefore, though we cannot ſuffer, as he did, nor to ſuch an effect of Suffering? Yet ought we not to be Conformed to our Head? If theſe things were done in the green Tree, ought there not to be a Conformable Senſe of them, upon us, who are as the dry Tree, and much more reaſonbly to be ſo affected?

3. The great diſadvantages that come upon the profeſſion of Chriſtianity, in the want of this godly ſorrow, preſs for it.

1. Either Men reſt and center in a falſe Repentance: The fallow ground of the Heart is not truly broken up, Jerem. 4:3:Jer 4:3ſo that they ſow on the Rock, or among Thorns, and build in the Sand; and their Repentance is not this Repentance, the Apoſtle ſpeaks of; they do not go down to the bottom of the Heart, nor dig deep to find the Springs of true Repentance:

p. 532. Or, 2dly, Suppoſe the Repentance not Falſe; ſuch are yet in Danger of Falls after Converſion; for no man is ſo truly, and continually afraid of ſin, as he that hath found the ſmart and evil in profoundeſt ſorrow for it.

3. There is Danger, when godly ſorrow hath not had its perfect work, there ſhould ariſe after perplexities of Conſcience, either upon the ſurpriſal of outward Afflictions, or on the Death Bed; and ſometimes with great Agonies, becauſe we have not gone through the exact courſe of Repentance in ſorrow for ſin, and after God.

4. Oftentimes God leads through outward Chaſtiſements, to bring us through a more ſolemn ſenſe of ſin, and the evil of it; and to cloſer acts of ſelf Judging, and more exact Reformation of our Hearts and ways.

4. That we may be under the full efficacy of godly ſorrow, God hath made that gracious promiſe, Ezek. 36.25. That he will take away the Heart of Stone, and give the Heart of Fleſh: Thus that Adamantine and nether Millſtone Temper is removed, an… a ſoft tender Heart, that fears the firſt approach of ſin, is Introduc'd.

It may ſeem an objection againſt this Doctrine of ſorrow for ſin, as if the preſſing of it is a Derogation from the Blood of Chriſt, and the fulneſs of his Redemption; as if his ſufferings, ſacrifice, and ſatisfaction were not enough, without our ſorrow, as a kind of Penance.

p. 54But this I ſhall endeavour fully to remove hereafter, as the ſame Objection may ſeem to lye againſt the whole Doctrine of Repentance.

I will therefore conclude this part of the Diſcourſe, viz. concerning ſorrow for ſin by giving ſome practical inferences by way of Application from it.

Infer. 1. Let us be content to ſuffer in the Fleſh, as the Apoſtle Peter ſpeaks, 1 Peter 4.4. by deep ſorrow for ſin and after God, as it were the Death of th… Fleſh. and of the corrupt part; that we may Live according to God in the Spirit: arm your ſelves with the ſame mind, that was in Chriſt: Be willing to be as Condemned, and put to Death in the ſenſe of ſin; deſire to know Hell, and everlaſting Miſery as he did, in your own ſenſe of it; he went down to Hell in the Contemplation of it, though not Locally: Let us be in the foreign, in the Communion in the Fellowſhip of his Sufferings: Phil. 5.10.It is better to know it now, and here, while it may be eſcap'd, than to know it hereafter; when there will be a gulf between it, and the ſtate of Life, that cannot be paſſed.

Infer. 2: Let us poſſeſs our ſelves with the mighty Reaſons and Arguments of godly ſorrow, the Motives, and inward operative Influences of it; the ſerious conſideration of the great evil of ſin, the foulneſs of it, the diſhonour, the neglect, the contempt of God, that is found in it; the unreaſonable ingratieude, and unkindneſs of it to the Lord our God, and to Jeſus Chriſt the Saviour, and Redeemer; p. 55but eſpecially let us earneſtly beg that Spirit of Grace, and Ingenuous ſenſe, that may cauſe us to be in bitterneſs, as he that is in bitterneſs for his First Born; that we may thus ſorrow after God.

Infer. 3. Let us ſweeten to our ſelves, that which may ſeem very harſh, and contrary to Fleſh and Blood; this ſorrow after God; with the conſideration of this; that Chriſt hath eſtabliſhed a Bleſſing upon it, the bleſſing of an everlaſting Conſolation, Luke 6.21, 25. Bleſſed are you that Mourn, and that Weep; for you ſhall be Comforted: And on the other ſide, there is a Woe on them that Laugh now; Conſider; Chriſt the Captain of our Salvation, and all the Saints of God have paſſed through the Vally of Baca, this Valley of Weeping, the way to the Heavenly Jeruſalem, while the mad roaring merry World are going that broad way down to Deſtruction: This works that Repentance to Salvation never to be Repented of.

Head 3d. I come now to the Third Head in the Doctrin of Repentance, and that is to Diſcourſe the true Laws and Rules of Repentance, the Frame, and the true conſtitution of Repentance; the Motives, and conſiderations for it; the ſigns and evidences of true Repentance; all which muſt needs be very great; in that, it is Repentance to Salvation, not a falſe, or counterfeit Repentance, or but to be Repented of; not to be recall'd, revers'd, or repented, but to be confirm'd by progreſſive, repeated Acts, and renewals after Falls, even till it lays hold of Salvation.

p. 56General 1. In the opening the grand Doctrin of Repentance, as on this head, I ſh…ll endeavour to guide the Diſcourſe of it, by keeping to the ſtrict, proper and preciſe Nature, and notion of Repentance; For I know it does not really, and ſubſtantially differ from other grand Evangelical Notions of a through change of Heart, and Life; as Regeneration, the new Creation; a new Heart, a new Spirit: the Laws of God put into our Hearts, Jerem. 31. Ezek. 36,Jer 31Ezek 36and writ in our minds, that we may never depart from him; the Heart of Stone taken out of our Fleſh, and having Hearts of Fleſh; a being caus'd to walk in his ſtatutes and judgments, and to do them: His fear put into our hearts and his ſpirit; within us; Pſal. 19.12.19.Ps 19:12Ps 19:19It is Mortification, and Sanctification; It is Converſion, and turning to the Lord; a being cleans'd from ſecret ſins and kept back from preſumptuous ſins, a cleanſing our way, by taking heed thereto according to the word of God; the ordering our steps in his word, Pſal. 119.133.Ps 119:133that no Iniquity may have dominion over us: Nay, It differs not from Faith in the Blood of Chriſt by any Eſſential Difference; from ſeeking Pardon and Reconciliation by Faith in that great Attonement, and Sacrifice; nor from the Love of Chriſt, constraining all thoſe, who Live; that is, have their Lives given to them, through his Death, to Live to him, who dyed for them: All theſe are, as I have ſaid, Eſſentially, and ſubſtantially the ſame: But yet there is a very Diſtinct, and even Critical conſideration of Repentance, that I ſhall apply to in the preſent Treaty, under theſe three heads.

p. 57Particular 1ſt: Repentance carries always a Notion of ſevere, and rigorous Acts in relation to our ſelves upon account of our Sins, and high Offences againſt God:

Particular 2. Repentance imports very cloſe, and particular Negotiations, 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 to us, that he is at Peace with us, and hath Pardon'd all, that is paſt in Chriſt:

Particular 3. Repentance is a hearty an univerſal Change of our inward Thoughts, Counſel, Purpoſe, and Deſign; and of our outward Converſation, out of a true, and real Hatred, and diſlike of what we have been, done, and choſen; and a Love, Choice, and Delight in what we have not been, and have not done, nor delighted in.

Particular 1. Repentance conſiſts of many great, and ſevere Acts in Relation to our ſelves; upon Account of our ſins, and High Offences againſt God; under which I will in every one of them, ſhew the great excellency, and uſefulneſs of this duty, and the acceptableneſs of it to God.

1. The ſeriouſeſt, cloſeſt, and moſt deep examination of our Hearts, and Thoughts, and Lives, ſo as to know them, and to ſit in Judgment upon them, is found in true Repentance: This is a wonderful Power, and grace that God gives, when he gives Repentance; that a Man ſhall be made to ſit upon himſelf, and to call himſelf to an Account, p. 58to ſearch himſelf, as it were, with Candles, and to ſay, what have I done? To ſearch, and to try his ways, and to turn to the Lord, to think of his ways, and to turn his Feet to God's Teſtimonies; to declare his ways in God's hearing; and becauſe his own ſearch cannot be cloſe, and exact; to cry out to God, to ſearch, Pſalm 139.23, 24.Ps 139:23Ps 139:24and to try him, and to lead him into the way everlasting: And this is performed by laying a mans Actions to the Line and Rule of the Law of God, and entring into the p…rticulars of every Command; of every Age, and, as much as may be, every great and r…markable Action.

Now this is evidently a very ſupernatural …fficacy; for we ſee how afraid we are all of it; a Man in this way of Inquiſition, and Viſitation of himſelf, is in a manner, as afraid of himſelf, as he is of God; and hides himſelf from himſelf, even as from the Eyes of God; it is true, when men are in the cariere of ſin, they are bold enough with themſelves; they deviſe miſchief upon their Bed, the ſecret Thought and Heart of every one of us is very deep in ſin; and we know it, and are willing enough to know, we know it, when all is of a Peice; to go on in ſin: But when a Man finds himſelf coming, as a Judg upon himſelf; he is preſently aware of himſelf, and deſirous to hide himſelf from himſelf, and to ſtart away from himſelf; when any therefore come to ſay to themſelves, I will find out all the ſecret ways of my own ſinful Heart, of my Pride, of my Luſt, of my Hipocriſy, of my Deceit, of my Formality, and vain ſhews in Religion, and the worſhip of God; that I may Reform all, and caſt out all that is p. 59evil: I will be known to my ſelf, even the worſt of my ſelf I will make known to my ſelf, to hate and to loath it; we may certainly ſay, It is very hopeful, God is giving Repentance to Life: For I would not walk in Diſguiſe, under a Vizor, and a Mask to my ſelf; we hear therefore ſo often this Voice of Scripture, Examin your ſelves, prove your own ſelves, 2 Cor.know ye not your own ſelves? except we are in a ſtate that as to its preſent, is reprobated by God. So let a man Examin himſelf, let him prove his own work, Gal 6.

There are certainly many Truths of God, and parts of Religion, and of the Action, and Duty of it, that a…e more ſmooth, and agreeable to Men of Reaſon, and Ingenious Temper; that do not, though ſeemingly complyed with, ſearch the carnal unregenerate Heart to the bottom: Theſe therefore will not give ſuch Evidence of the Truth of Grace, and of the mighty Operation of the Divine Spirit: But this Duty of Self-examination, it can ſerve no Carnal Intereſt; ſo far as a man is led in it, he is led by the mighty Hand and Power of God: For in this Point, he is elſe ready to be Merciful to himſelf, to ſpare himſelf.

W…n God cauſes a man to ſearch himſelf, that what is loweſt, and at the bottom in him, may riſe up; when he makes a Man purſue himſelf, and all his ſins, till he can find none that he hath not had his E…e and his Search upon; ſurely, there is nothing that more aſſures a ſincere work of God upon a mans Heart, nor nothing, more than the want of this, Diſcovers Inſincerity.

p. 602. In true Repentance there is an Authoritative and down right Self-Judgding, a Condemnation of what is Evil, and contrary to the Word of God, and the Laws of Holineſs, and Rules of the Goſpel of Chriſt; In Repentance, a man muſt plainly ſay with, and in the Authority of God upon himſelf,2 Sam. 12.1. &c.2 Sam 12:1 Thou art the Man, Thou art ſuch a ſinner, ſuch an unclean, ſenſual, voluptuous Perſon: Thou art ſuch a Covetous, Worldly, Griping, Extorting Perſon: Thou art ſuch a deceitful, unjuſt Cheat, or Lyar: Thou art ſuch a Hipocrite, that art more afraid of the Eye, of the judgment of the cenſure of Man, than of God: Thou art he, that chooſeſt any, or ſuch, and ſuch a Sin, rather than Affliction: This plainly, and in the Name of God, and of Conſcience, that is made a Judg within a Man, and the Soul hearing it with Terror, and Awe upon it, is the true Work of Repentance: This is a ſevere Diſcipline, a day of Terror indeed upon the Soul, when it is carried home by the Hand▪ and Finger of God.

Now this Scripture calls a Judging our Selves, and this Self-examination, and Self-judging are recommended to us, as what would ſave Gods Judging us: If we would judg our ſelves, we ſhould not be Judged of the Lord; 1 Cor. 11.311 Cor 11:31and ſurely if it be done to the purpoſe, and ſo as ſtrongly to affect the Heart; it is a very great Effect o… the Spirit of God, and and of Chriſt, convincing of Sin, and of Righteouſneſs, John 16.8. &c.John 16:8and of Judgment; And I ſhould rather chooſe it, as an Evidence of the Grace of God, than p. 61ſome fair appearances, that corrupt Nature can better bear.

3. In Repentance there is a real Trembling, and Afflicting, and Grieving, and Shaming a Mans ſelf; a ſmiting on a Mans Thigh, a being Aſham'd and Confounded by bearing the Reproach of our ways; a loathing our ſelves, an abhorring our ſelves in duſt and aſhes; a not opening of our Mouths in any ſelf Apology, or Juſtification, but a ſmiting on our Breast, as ſo great ſinners, as the chief of ſinners. This is the true, and real work of Repentance in this part of it: This is a truly Spiritual Penance, in compariſon of which all impoſed Bodily hardſhips are nothing; and yet if God lays Affliction upon us, though it be very ſevere; there is an Acceptance of the Punniſhment of our Iniquities.Lev. 26.41.Lev 26:41