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 y^e 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.