How it is, that Faith is the first act of Repentance. [ 1247]
AS a prisoner,* 1.1 that lies in hold for debt, if a man should come unto him, and promise him, that he would take order to pay his debt, and thereby discharge him of his imprisonment; he first believes, that he is both able and willing so to do it; then he hopes for it; and lastly, he is as it were dissolved into love, ravished with the thoughts of such an unexpected reliefe;* 1.2 and therefore seeketh to do all things that may please him. So is it with a repenting Convert, he first believes, that God will do what he hath promised, that is, pardon his sins, and take away his iniquities; then he resteth, that what is so promised shall be performed; and from that, and for it, he leaves, sin, forsaketh his old course of life, which was displeasing, and for the time to come maketh it his work, to do that which is pleasing and acceptable in his sight.