Andrews resolution to return unto God by repentance Directed unto all the elect children of God which truly repent, perfectly guiding them in the right way therein. Right godly to read, as delightful to hear, but most profitable to be practised. Newly published by John Andrews minister and preacher of Gods Word. Being first seen and allowed.

Andrews resolution to return unto God by repentance Directed unto all the elect children of God which truly repent, perfectly guiding them in the right way therein. Right godly to read, as delightful to hear, but most profitable to be practised. Newly published by John Andrews minister and preacher of Gods Word. Being first seen and allowed.

Table of contents

Title page

The Author to the Reader.

The Book to the Reader.

To the High and Mighty King of Kings, Prince of Peace, Conquerour of Death, Hell, and Sin, the great Judge of the World, and Biſhop of my Soul, Chriſt Jeſu my Saviour.

Andrews Reſolution.

Firſt, what Repentance is.

Secondly; God is the author of Repentance.

Thirdly, of Examination.

Fourthly, of Contrition.

Fifthly, of Confeſſion.

Sixthly, Faith is the ground or root of Repentance.

Lſtly, the time when to repent.

§

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ANDREWS RESOLUTION TO RETURN unto GOD BY REPENTANCE.

Directed unto all the Elect Children of God which truly repent, perfectly guiding them in the right way therein.

Right godly to read, as delightful to hear, but moſt profitable to be practiſed.

Newly publiſhed by John Andrews Miniſter and Preacher of Gods Word.

Being firſt ſeen and allowed.

LONDON, Printed for William Whitwood, at the ſign of the Golden Bell in Duck-Lane, near Smith-field. 1673.

The Author to the Reader.

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IF thou doſt read or hear this work,

Only ſee thou do this,

Have care to mend thy evil ways,

Now paſt and done a miſs.

All thoſe that ſtill preſume in ſin,

Not minding to amend,

D [...]yly this Book will wtineſs be

Revengeful in the end.

Each day repent, oh ſtill repent

With ſpeed, I humbly pray,

Even for his Sons ſake, Jeſus Chriſt,

So ſin is waſht away.

The Book to the Reader.

IF that my lines could ſpeak with voice,

Oh then moſt loud ſtill ſhould they cry,

He tha might hear them wou'd rejoyce,

No doubt to buy me preſently.

A great [...]r Book of price more dear,

N [...]w maiſt thou have, yet not contain

Directions right, as I have here,

Repentance truly for to gain.

Each line doth guide thee to repent,

With phraſe moſt plain unto thine ears;

Eſteem it well, do not relent,

Sweet is the fruit Repentance bears.

To the High and Mighty King of KingsRev. 17. 14, Prince of PeaceEp▪ 2 14, Conquerour of DeathHeb [...] 1 [...], HellHoſ 13. 14, and SinHoſ 10. 8, the great Judge of the WorldGen 18 28, and Biſhop of my Soul1 Pet. 2. 9, Chriſt Jeſu my SaviourLuk. 2. 1 [...]..

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O Gracious and moſt high GodPſa. 113 5, moſt holyEſay 6. 3, moſt ſtrongPſal. 99. 9, moſt mightyGen. 17 moſt merciful [...]ſa. 145. 9, moſt righteousEſay 42 6, and moſt beautiful SaviourCan 5 10, I the Son of thy handmaidPſ. 86. 16, whom thou haſt created,Gen. 1. 26, 27 and redeemedEph. 1. 7 1 Cor 1. 30, [...]a [...]e in all dutifull affection aſſigned my, [...]elf, and my deareſt love into thine hands [...] my humble Petition, which I dedi [...]red unto thee, O ſweet J [...]ſu, th [...]u light [...]f my ſoulEſay 9. 19; 20, and to the uttermoſt of my; [...]ower (by thine aſſiſtance) have made it [...]y daily prayer, and true copy of my [...]ya [...]eſt aff [...]ction unto thee, O Lord my GodPſa. 98 9. Pſalm 8. 1 Pſalm 18 1, in the which, through my conti [...]ul exerciſing thereof, I know my ſigh [...]g for my ſins is not hid from theePſalm 38, nor [...]y tears, which cry from the bottom of My [...]eart, for thy crimſon priceleſs drops of [...]ood, that trickled down thy azure veins [...]. 22 44, [...] waſh away my ſcarlet ſinsEſ. 1. 18, unknown to [...]ee,

[Page] And now again, O my ſoveraign delightSol. ſ [...]ng 1, 7, &c Mat. 12. 41, in token of my humbleſt devotion, and deareſt Love, which I owe unto thy moſt ſacred ſelf, I am here imboldned (although far u [...]worthy) to dedicate this other Mite unto thee (entitu [...]ed Andrews Reſolution) which I caſt into thy treaſuryLuk. 21. 1, not of ſuperfluity, but meer penury, deſiring thee, O my Saviour 1 Tim. 4, 20, from the tender bowels of my heart,Acts 5. 31 that through the multitude of thy merciesPſal. 5. 7, thou wilt guide me therein.Mat. 1. 21 And I moſt humbly beſeech thee,2 Sa. 22. 3 that thou wilt vouchſafe to entertain and receive me, that I may be wholly thine, and thou co-equal with God the Father, maiſt be wholly mine, that after my ended miſeries, thou wilt crown me with endleſs mercies: unto this (ſweet Jeſus) I moſt humbly beſeech thee to ſay Amen.

And ſo Amen, thy earneſt, though moſt unworthy late repentant ſinner, John Andrews, Preacher of the Word, deſireth with all humility daily to come unto thee.

‘Serò ſed ſeriò.’

Andrews Reſolution.

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Firſt, what Repentance is.

THere is no D [...]ctrine in the C [...]urch of God more neceſſary, than the Doctrine of Repentance, and amendment of life; neither doth the Holy Ghoſt ſo much labour in all the Scripture, as he doth to b [...]at Repentance into mens leads2 Kin. 17, 13 Eze. 18. 21, 22. 23 Act, 11 18 Pet. 3. 9 Hoſ. 14. [...] Pet 18. 11 Jer. 25. 5 Jer. 36. 3 Ma 3. 2, 6, 8 Mar. 4. 17 Luke 3. 2 Luke 24. 4 Acts 2. 38 Acts 17 30

It was not only the only Sermon which S. John Baptiſt preached to prepare the way for ChriſtMat 3 2, 6, 8, but [...]ſo it was the firſt that ever was made, it was Preached by God himſelf to our fi [...]ſt Parents in Parad [...]ſeGen 3 17; and ever ſince both the Prophets, Apoſtles, and many of Gods faithful Miniſters have Preached Repentance unto the people2 Kin. 17 13 Eſay 1. 16.

Yet notwithſtanding many are ſo wedded unto ſinJoh. 8. 3 Rom. 6. 20, and they are become ſo godleſs, ſo graceleſs, ſo rooted and fully reſolved to live therein, that the moſt part little underſtand the Doctrine of RepentanceRom. 2, and leſs practiſe the duty. Many preſume to deſcribe it, though few know it: many can talk of itMat. 72, but fewPſal. 1. 19 walk in it; many ſpeak of it, but [Page] few feel it; and many think they have caught it when they have b [...]t the ſhadow of it:Rev. 3. 10 becauſe it is ſo [...] pery that few can hold it, & ſo ſecret that many cannot find it: it is [...]id fro [...] the world & revealed unto non [...] but the Elect chi [...]dren of GodLu 12, 32.

It is a work that no men with their fine beats and deep devices can compre [...]nd: for the converſion of a ſi [...]ner is ſupernatural, and whoſoever doth, o [...] hath not felt in himſelf what repenta [...]ce is, ſhall be [...]amnedLu. 1 [...]. 5, therefore [...]e that hath ears to hear,Eſay 59 2 let him hea [...],Nahu. 1. 2. and he that hath eyes to ſee, let him ſee what Repentance if, and withall, bring this preſent of the hiloſophers with him,Pla [...], Ariſtotles, T [...]eophraſtes. Noſce t [...]ipſum knew thy ſelf; it is the firſt thing to be done in repéntance, and the beginning of all grace.

Repentance is a work of grace, arising of aEph 2. 8 1 Cor. 7. 8, 9 godly ſorrow, from a true faith, and knowledge of a mans own ſpiritual eſtate:Jer. 4. 1 It is a conſtantJoel 2. 13 turning of a man in his whole life, from all his ſins unto God, it is an hear [...]y ſorrow for sin, with amendment of life, having a godly Reſolution to sin no moreJoh. 5. 14 John. 8. 11 Eze. 33. 15 Rom, 12 5 Rom. 5. 1.

It is a moſt neceſſary thing for mankind; it is the very ſuperſedeas [Page] and diſcharge of sin, and the cauſe of unity between God and man. There is no other means to make peace betwen Chriſt and us, but Repentance: No other to diſcharge sin,Joh. 3. 5 Ge. 50 17, 18 2 P. 1. 3. 9 nor courſe to avoid [...]ell, but Repentance; neither any way to win Heaven, but repentance and therefore Repentance is moſt neceſſary,

What wounded body would not ſeek a ſalve: much more what wounded ſoul ſlain with sin,Eſa. 1. 16 Ez. 33. 5 Luk. 13. 5▪ would not ſeek repentance, ſeeing it is the only ſalve to cure the ſoul?

It is an Eybod of purity, and a defiled man may not wear it. The dignity of it is great, and honourable; and the Lord will not beſtow it upon an unworthy perſon. It is a magnificent gueſt,Joh 14. 1 & 23 and will not come into a polluted Tabernacle. It is an holy Saint, and will not dwell in the Synagogue of Satan.

It is not to be bought with silver or gold, nor to be had from the gifts of Ring [...], Popes, or Potentates, it is a thing of ineſtima [...]le bal [...]e,Heb. 1. 6 it ſheweth the attonement between the Saviour and the Sinner, and being gotten by FaithGal. 3 14, PrayerJam. 5. 18, and hearing the Word of GodRom. 10, 17, It [Page] brings thee unto Chriſt.Act. 5. 11 2 Ti. 2. 25, 26 Joh. 12. 40 It is libra Donatio, a gift abſolute without consideration, which God ever beſtoweth upon his friends, upon thoſe that love him. It is called the Spirit of Burning, therefore with ſpeed frepent, that repentance may burn thy sins,1 Theſ. 5 Eſay 4. 4 eſt the fire of Hell bnrn thy ſoul, Eſay 4. 4

The true Eſſence or Nature of thy Repentance, only conſiſteth in turning from all thy ſins unto GodEze. 18 30. 31. 32 jer. 18. 11 2 Ki. 17. 13 Eſay 55. 7 Eze. 33. 11 Jer. 14. 1: and therefore it is not altogether deri [...]ed of the word Poenitentia, becauſe the Divines ſay, it doth not comprehend Totum Terminum a quo & ad quem, from what and to whom thou muſt return.

But this is the true repentance which the Latin interpret by this word Reſipiſcentia, or Converſio, which is not only the changing of the mind, but it is Receſſus a malo a forſaking of evil, Acceſſus ad bonum and return unto that which is goodRo. 12. 9 Gal. 4. 18 1 Theſ. 5. 16 Acts 26, 28: Revertimini uſque ad me, return as far as unto me. If thou wilt repeat truly, thou muſt withall have both a purpoſe in mind, and an inclination in will, and endeavour in life, wholly to forſake all thy ſins for ever and turn unto God.

[Page] To repent, confideth but of two ſyllables: yet unto the wicked it is too hard to be learned and ſo unay to be practiſed, that like as the Camelion can change himſelf into all colours ſaving white, ſo would they change themſelves from all goodneſs, to follow evil, rather then to return unto the Lord by repentance.

To conclude this point, thou ſhalt no ſooner repent, butGen. 54, 17, 18 Deut. 4. 29 1 Kin. 8. 33 Job. 11. 14, 15 Eze. 3. 28 Heaven ſhall be confirmed unto thee, habendum & tenendum, for ever and ever.

Secondly; God is the author of Repentance.

REpenta [...]ce is libera donatio, a gift abſoluts, without conſideration; and it comes freely from God, who is the very efficient and principal Author or Donor thereofJer. 31. 18 Lam. 5. 21 2 Ti 25. 26 Acts 5. 21 Joh. 12. 40. It is therefore to be held the more pretious and to be deſired with the more hope; yea: to be thy Summum Bonum for it obtaineth Salvation, unto all thoſe which truly repent and turn unto God. And he that turneth unto God by repentance, muſt firſt of all be turned by God; and ſo ſaith Jeremiah, Jer. 31. 19 Surely after I was converted I repented, and after I was inſtructed, I ſmote upon my thigh; I was aſhamed, [Page]yea even confounded, becauſe I did bear the reproach of my youth And our Saviour Chriſt ſaith,John. 6. 44 no man can come unto me except my Father draw him Therefore ſaith S. Paul Inſtruct them with meekneſs: 2 Tim 1. 25 proving if God will at any time give them Repentance, that they may b [...] ſaved,

For God is goodPſ. 11. 8. Jer. 33. 11 Mat. 19 16 Pſalm 105. Ez. ch. 18. Ro. 10. 2 Pſ. 10. 15 Pſal. 91. 15 Pſ 145. 18 and merciful unto all thoſe that turn unto him by repentance; he is full of pity, and hath no pleaſure at all that the wicked ſhould die: But is rich unto all that call upon him for mercy; and hath promiſed to hear thy petitions, if thou truly repent.

Furthermore, if thou hadſt repentance in thineEſay 48. 8, 9 own power, and mighteſt repent when thou wouldeſt; yet it were but a folly; yea it were aDeut. 29. 20 meer madneſs to preſume in sin becauſe thon haſt a remedy. But now ſeing thy repentance is in the hand of God, and that none can repent without his eſpocial Grace it were a double and a trebble folly to Deut. 30 3, 4 d [...]lay thy repentance from day to day or to ſeek it from any other but from God.2 Chr. 7. 14 [...] 1 Cor. 11

Thirdly, of Examination.

BEfore thou confeſs thy sins unto God,2 Cor, 13. 5 thou muſt take heed to [Page] examine thy ſelf, that thereby thou mayeſt know them both in greatneſs and danger: for untill thou know thy sins, that thy conſcience may be convicted by them, thou canſt never humbly and heartily confeſs them.

Far let any repentant sinner ask his conſcience what was the firſt cauſe of his conversion, and ſurely he will ſay, that when he began to repent, he did firſt ſearchPſ. 77. 6 himſelf: and finding his ways dangerous, and his cauſe fearful, did thereupon reſolve to take a new courſe; It is the beginning of all grace, to ſearch, try, and examine thy ſelf; It is alſo a means to prevent Gods Iudgment: if thou doſt not ſearch thy ſelf, then God will ſearch thee with his1 Pe 1. 7 & 4. 11 fiery croſſes and terror of his puniſhments.

But if thou truly examine thy ſelf firſt to be guilty of Adams sinPſal 51. 5 1 Eſ [...]. 4. 30 Gen. 8. 21.

Secondly, prone by nature to all evilRom. 23.

Thirdly, ſubject to the curſe of Gods wrathWiſd. 14. Pſal. 54. 6 Pſa. 14. 4 Pro. 15. 8, 9. 29 Eſa. 1. 15.

Thus in the guiltineſs of Adams sin sin hath his beginning; in the original, his continuance; and in actual, his full perfection.

[Page] So anſwerable thereunto is th [...] wrath of God; it beginning by leaving thée by nature unto th [...] flavery of Satan; it is continued by death, and accompliſhed by damnation.

Now theſe thrée rules I leave to thy careful conſideration, aſſuring thee from God thou canſt never be ſaved unleſsLuk. 13. 5 2 Cor. 13. 5 thou repent, nor nev [...]r repent, except that thou ſearch, try, and examine thy ſelf.

Thus if thou wilt repent truly, thou muſt ſearch and look into thy ſelf, to ſee in what a miſerable caſe thou art; as I have ſaid before: and thou ſhalt find that byEph. 2. 3 Nature, thou art the child of wrath, out of y• favour of God, not only wretched and accurſed by the Law, a bondſlave unto Satan but finally ſubject to Death, Hell, and Damnation.

Thus if thou wouldſt know if thou art in the right way of repentance or no. thou ſhalt find, if thou conſider in thy ſelf whether thou haſt ever any need of Gods pardon for thy ſin; or of Chriſt his i blood to ſalve and cure thy ſoul:Mat 26. 28 or was thy heart ever wounded or grieved for thy ſin,Heb. 10. 13 18 ſo that thy ſoul were even ſick with the ſtink thereof?1 Pet. 1. 2 1 Joh. 1. 7

[Page] Or diddeſt thou ever hunger and thirſt after God in Chriſt? and with [...]ghs, groans, andJam 4 9 Luk. 6. 21 tears, beg for his mercy upon thy1 Ki. 8 54 Dan. 6. 10 knees (as for life and death) If thou haſt not felt, nor done theſe things in ſome meaſure, ſurely thy caſe is very fearful and dangerous: thou art not yet in the way of Repentance therefore as yet the mercies of God belong not unto thee.

Fourthly, of Contrition.

Contrition is a fear and inward ſorrow of conſcience,Auguſtinus de poenitentia. perceiving that God is angry with ſin and is ſorry that it hath [...]nned. And to ſpeak more largely of it, thou maiſt know this, that Contrition alſo comphrehendeth firſt t [...]eJob. 11. 13, & 19 knowledg of God, requiring obedience; and diſcommending diſobedience; and not to remit ſin without full and perfect ſatisfaction, eit [...]er in reſpect of obedience it ſelf, or elſe in reſpect of puniſhment.

Secondly,2 Cor. 13. 5 the diſcuſſing and examining of thy nature,Lu. 2. 29 Acts 20. 20 thy thoughts will, affections, and all thy actions & deeds according to the ſquare and rule of Gods Laws in every point; for as S. Auguſtine ſaith, Peccatum [Page]puniendum eſt aut a te aut a Deo: ſi puniturate, tunc punitur ſine te; ſi vero a tenon punitur, tecum punietur. Sin muſt néeds be puniſhed, either of God, or of thy ſelf, if by thy ſelf, then sin is puniſhed without thee, if of God then thou and thy sin muſt be puniſhed together. Therefore if thou wouldſt repent with a true contrition, that thereby thou maiſt reap a moſt plentiful harveſt, thou muſt ſow in Gods field theMat. 13. 8 ſeeds of Repentance, and oftentimes water then with the tears of thy humble Contrition: Jam. 4. 9, 10 ſo ſhalt thou gather t [...]e true fruits of everlaſting joy and felicityMat. 5. 4 Luke 6. 21. For as the déeper the wound, the more diligent the cure: ſo let thy repentance bring forth as much ſorrow, as sin gave the delight.

And as S. Ambroſe ſaith, Expectat lacrymas noſtras Deus, ut profundat pietatem ſuam; God looketh for thy tears in thy contrition, that he may pour down his grace upon thy amendment.Pſ. 4. 6. 6 Laudatum eſt cor Penitentiae lacrymis; Thou muſt waſh thy hart in a troubled Pool ofJoh. 15. 2 Betheſda, in the true tears of repentance. having an inward ſorrow wrought by the holy Ghoſt, for thy sins before committed, againſt ſo [Page] good and gracious a God? joyned [...]oth with a perfect faith,Pſalm 19. 10, 12 to be forgiven for Chriſt his ſake, and alſo from hencefortb with a full and de [...]erminate purpoſe to amend and lead [...] new life,

Fifthly, of Confeſſion.

SAint Chryſoſtome ſaith,Chryſoſt. in Pſalmes. that nothing pleaſeth God more than Confeſſion, if it be joyned with true Contrition; and that it is a part of Humiliation, ever joyned with true Repentance, becauſe they cannot be truly humble and repent, who confeſs not their ſins unto God: neither will be give them pardon; for God covers when men uncover1 Joh. 1. 9 and acknowledge; he juſtifieth when men condemn themſelves, and fly unto him for mercy. If any plead unto God, Non eſt factum, and deny his deeds and debts of ſin: there is no reaſon why he ſhould have the Acquittance of Grace. Therefore, ſaith Solomon, He that hideth his ſins ſhall notProv. 28 proſper, but he that confeſſeth them and forſaketh them, ſhall have mercy.

If thou confeſs them effectually, it will cauſe thee to weep likeJoh. 20. 15 Mary Magdalen, wraffle with God, like [Page] Gen. 32. 24 Jacob; and pour forth floods of tears like Ezeckia. ThouEze. 12. 3 muſt confeſs them in this, or ſuch like manner, Firſt, thou muſt put up an inditement againſt thy ſelf, and accuſe thee before God wherein thou muſt acknowledge both thy particular and unknown ſins generally without any excuſe, extenuation, or defence, inbiding the leaſt of them. An example thou maiſt find in David; Pſa. 51. 3 I know my iniquity is ever before me.

Secondly, thou muſt with [...]rief of heart (as a Iudge upon the Bench) give ſentence againſt thy ſelf, acknowledging thy unworthyneſs, by reaſon of thy sin, to have deſerved everlaſting damnation; as theLu. 15. 21 Prodigal child did, who ſaid, Father I have sinned againſt heaven, and before thee; Or the poor Publican, who ſtanding far off, would not ſo much as caſt up his eyes to Heaven, but ſmote his breaſt,Luk. 28. 13 crying, Lord be merciful to me a ſinner.

Thou muſt alſo accuſe thy sins, thy very conſcience muſt witneſs againſt them, and thy heart convince them; thou muſt accuſe them, 1. as ſtrangers dejected, 2. as adverſaries convicted, and 3. as enemies profeſſed.

In ſo doing, ſaid Auguſtine, when [Page] thou accuſeſt thy ſelf by confesſing thy ſins unto God, thou preventeſt thereby the Devil of his purpoſe, ſo that he cannot accuſe thee at [...]he day of Iudgment, For ſaith heJer. 29. 13, 14 thou plotteſt out all thy sins by repentance. Where there is no accuſer there is no crime produced for the Iudge to condemn; For that which is not hath no puniſhment: forgiven sins are not; ergo, forgiven sins have no puniſhment: And ſo ſaith the Author to the Hebrews, Leo. 10. 18. Leo ſaith that thoſe sins ſhall never be condemned which are purged before withJohn 1. 9 confeſſion and repentance. Neither is Ieſus Chriſt any longer [...]hy Iudge to condemn [...], but thy Advocate to plead for thee, if thou accuſe thy ſelf by confeſſion.

Therefore confeſs thy sins unto God without any accuſe orEcc. 5. 7. 1 Theſ. 3. delay. For it is another manner of thing to [...]epent, than many take it for. It is [...]ot every a ſob or sigh that brings re [...]entance: God is merciful, &c, And thus [...]ghtly da [...] them over, as though Gods mercy were to be gained in a [...]oment. Let no man deceive him [...]elf; it will coſt thee many a prayer, [...]nd many a tear in thy confeſsion, [...]efore thou canſt have pardon for thy [...]ns,

[Page] If thou didſt feel the ſmart of ſin but 1 Cor 12. 7 Acts 2. 37 prick in thy wounded conſcience, thou wouldſt never give God any reſt; but like David, cry unto GodPſa. 51. 9 again and again, until thou haſt found ſome comfortable perſwaſion of Gods mercy in Chriſt, for the forgiveneſs of thy ſins.

Vntill thou do thus, thou ſhalt never find any quietneſs in thy conſcience, no [...] any ſound comfort of Gods Spirit in thee.

David could2 Sa. 12. 13▪ never repent until God ſent Nathan unto him to reprove him for his ſin; but ſo ſoon as he ſaw his ſin, and that it was not only committed againſt2 Sa. 12. 9 Uri [...]h, but alſo againſt God, it preſently ſo bounds his conſcience, killed his poor heart, and ſo grieved his ſoul, that he cryed out in his conſcience, Againſt thee &c.

As if he would have ſaid,Pſal. 51 Oh my God, it grieves me exceedingly, and wounds my ve [...]y ſoul, that ever I was ſo vile a ſinner as to ſin againſt thee, O my moſt gracious and merciful God.

Therefore the only way to repent, is, from the bottom of thy heart, in thy conſcience to grieve for thy ſin, eſpecially for that it is againſt God, [Page] [...]nd cauſeth thee to break his Laws; [...]or if thou couldſt be ſorry for thy ſin, [...]ecauſe it is againſt God, more than [...]or g fear of puniſhment, it were a good ſign that thou wert in the ready way of repentance.

Wherefore if there were no ſhame [...]or puniſhment, no Hell nor damnation, yet thou oughteſt to repent, [...]ecauſe thou haſt sinned againſt ſoPſ. 136 10 good and gracious a God, who hath [...] Cor. 2. 30 [...]reated and redeemed thee.

Sixthly, Faith is the ground or root of Repentance.

FAith may be added unto repentance not as a part, but as the groundHeb. 11. 1 or root thereof; for it cannot be, that the root and the fruit ſhould be doth one thing: & without faith there can never I any true repentance, therfore they are ſtill joyned together:

To clear this doubt, thou muſt consider three things: 1. the order of nature; 2. the time; 3. the manifeſtation of them both

In order of nature, ſaith goeth before repentance: in manifeſtation of [...]hem, repentance is firſt; in time they are both joyned together.

By order of nature, firſt a mans conſcience muſt in ſome ſort be ſetled, touching his reconciliation with God [Page] in Chriſt before he can truly repent.

As S. Ambroſe ſaith, No man can rightly repent, unleſs he hope for pardon. So that remiſſion of ſins is believed, then upon that comes Repentance.

By manifeſtation, repentance goeth before faith, for it is ſooner deſcryed than faith.

Regeneration is like the ſap of a trée, hid within thee bark; when as repentance is like the bud, that ſpeedily ſheweth it ſelf.

If we reſpect ye time, neither of them are one before the other but are begotten both in an inſtant. So ſoon as there is fire, ſo ſoon it is hot: and ſo ſoon as a man isJoh. 3. 3 4, 5, &c. regenerate ſo ſoon he repents: for he that believes, inſtantly repents. Therefore none can truly repent, except he believes, that he is Gods. And none can have belief Pet. 19 but he that hath this grace, & faith in him.

Fur [...]hermore, none repent, unleſs they hate sin, & faith cauſeth a man to hate ſin Now none can hate sin, except he be ſanctified, and none can be ſanctified, without he be juſtified, & this cannot be without faithRom. 3. 4, 25, 26 27, 28, faith comprehendeth juſtification.

Again the inward or inſtrumental [Page] cauſe of repentance, is faith which may be called the mother of repentance, becauſe it brings it forth as the word is the begetter; and ſo may have the name of a Father: for he that is without faith is dead. No life without faith, no repentance without life: & therefore neither the Phariſees Prayer Lu. 18. 11, the harlots vow Pro. 7. 14, y• Traitors kiſs Lu 22. 48 Mat. 26. 18, the Sacrifice of Cain Mat. 14. 44 Gen. 4. 5., the faſt of Jezabel 1 Kin. 21. 9,, y• oblation of An [...]anias, Acts 5. 2 nor the tears of Eſaux, Gen. 37. 38 could [...]e accepted of God, becauſe they were not truly dedoted from a lively faith.

Laſtly, the efficient or principal working cauſe of faith in thy repentance, isJoh. 12. 4 Acts 5. 21 2 Tim. 2. 25 16 God, whereby, by faith, every true believer receiveth Chriſt for 1 Jo. 3. 16 Mat. 2. 1 Luk, 2. 6, 7 John 6. 35 Joh. 25. 26 Joh. 20. 29 John 3. 16 2 Cor. 5. 15. Rom. 5. 5 1 Tim. 2. 6 1 Pet. 3. 18 1 Cor. 15. 1 Mat. 28. 6 Mat. 16. 6 Joh. 20. 27 himſelf, as given for him, born for him, dying for him, and roſe again for him: for he died for his ſins, and roſe again for his iuſtification. And to conclude, repentance ſeparated from faith in Chriſt, is no true repentance. And thus much concerning Faith.

Lſtly, the time when to repent.

MAn hath no time of repentance certain, no termActs 9. 4 of years, but term of life,Ecc. 9 10 and that is moſt uncertain.

T [...]ough God called Saul d twice, Samuel, thrice1 Sa. 3. 4, his Spouſe four timesCant. 5. 2 [Page] the Ninivites 40. daiesJon. 34 Deut. 8, 2, and the Jews forty years; yet he gives us no time to repent, but to repent now.

The time of repentance is the time preſent without delay, as the holy Ghoſt teacheth: This day if you will hear his voice, hardenPſa. 95. 8 not your hearts: for there is but one acceptable time, which being neglected, is as a Bird eſcaped out of the hand, or a ſhaft ſhot out of a bow, not to be recalled. At what time (ſaith the Lord.) The Lord limits no time, if a man repent truly. The time; of repentance is double; 1. it muſt be done preſently without delay; 2. continually, every day. It muſt be doneEcc. 5. 7 1 Theſ 5. 9 ſpeedily without delay: for who knows whether this be the acceptable time, which if thou neglect when God calls thee in the youth, or in thy health; it may be he will not call thee hereafter in thy age or ſickneſs; and the longer thou doſt defer thy repentance, the harder it will be for thee to repent. Therefore if thou haſt ſuffered the bud of thy youth to be blaſted, thy flower to fade, thy leaves to dry up, and thy boughs to wither, yet keep life in the Joh. 25. 1 root, let the whole become fuel for m Hell fire.

Be not like thoſe which begin not [Page] [...] live untill they be ready to die and [...]hen after a foes deſert,Pſ. 54. 6 Wiſ 14. 9 Pſal. 14. 4 come to [...]rave of God a friends entertainment. Nor think to ſnatch up Hea [...]en in a moment, which the beſt can [...]carce attain unto in many years: [...]r jump fromLu. 16. 19 Dives diet to Laza [...]us crown; that is, from the ſervice [...]f Satan, to the ſolaceLu. 16. 22 of Saints. O beloved heaven, is to to be gained [...]o easily.

The thief indeed may be ſaved on Luke 23. 42, 43 the Croſs; and mercy found at laſt, [...]ut late repentance is ſeldom or never true repentance. For if a man repent he can sin no more, then he [...]eaves not sin, but sin leaves him.

Oh therefore if thou wouldſt be from from this doubt, avoid the certainty repent whilſt thou art in good health,Eph. 5. 15 take time whilſt it is offered thee, for time and tide ſtaieth for no man. Common experience [...]ee [...]eth [...] that time is pre [...]ious, ſhort and [...]revocable, which can never be redeemed, and withall consider, he that is not ready to repent to day, will be leſs ready to morrow: it may be God hath appointed this day to be the end of thy life. Oh therefore always ſo live, that thou be ever prepared to die. If thou doſt defer [Page] thy repentance untill it be to late O I then thou wouldſt give a thouſand worlds for one days repentance or an hours contrition. Record therefore a decree in thy heart, to keep all thy ſins in perpetual exile and neve [...] admit them again in thy court: But turn O turn from ſin to ſanctity, from Babylon to Jeruſalem, from Bethavan to Bethel, from Sodom to Sion, and from Belial to God, ſo let not the Sun of thy pleaſure be the day of thy lives end, nor night of thy death come before the great work of thy repentance be begun.

Oh repent, repent therefore that thou and I, and all the elect children of God, may have all our ſins freely forgiven us, and be with Chriſt Ieſus Saviour, who hath ſo dearly bought us: To whom with the Father and the Holy Ghoſt, be allRev. 19. 1 Honour, Power, Glory, and Dominion, both now and evermore. Amen.

FINIS.

[Page]

Information about this book

Title statement

Andrews resolution to return unto God by repentance Directed unto all the elect children of God which truly repent, perfectly guiding them in the right way therein. Right godly to read, as delightful to hear, but most profitable to be practised. Newly published by John Andrews minister and preacher of Gods Word. Being first seen and allowed.

Andrews, John, b. 1582 or 3.

Edition statement

1673

Publication

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Text Creation Partnership,

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Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2008-09 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A75336

ID [STC]

Wing A3124A

ID [STC]

ESTC R232395

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

99897975

ID [PROQUEST]

99897975

ID [VID]

137612

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Early English books online.

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(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A75336)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 137612)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 2542:1)

Source

— Andrews resolution to return unto God by repentance Directed unto all the elect children of God which truly repent, perfectly guiding them in the right way therein. Right godly to read, as delightful to hear, but most profitable to be practised. Newly published by John Andrews minister and preacher of Gods Word. Being first seen and allowed., Andrews, John, b. 1582 or 3..

Extent

[24] p.

printed for William Whitwood, at the sign of the Golden Bell in Duck-Lane, near Smith-field,. London :: 1673.. (Signatures: A B⁴.) (Reproduction of original in the Glasgow University.)

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