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4 Q. WHat is Repen∣tance?
A. Such a change of the heart, as bringeth foorth a reformed life. Matt. 38. Rom. 12.2. Esay 1.16.
In this answer two things must be marked. 1 That Re∣pentance [Obser. 1] is a chang of the heart; The heart is put for the soule & faculties therof, the iudgement, will and affe∣ctions. For the presence of the spirit, whether good or
euill, is most displayed, in that which it doth worke in the heart, the moouing, to [Obser. 2] wit, of affections. 2 It is not euery change of the heart, but such an one as hath euer following it a change,* 1.1 both of inward constitution, and outward conuersation.* 1.2 Re∣pentance is not the hanging of the head like a bull-rush, or composing the outward man, tipping the tongue on∣ly, but it is an alteration of the whole soule and inward man.* 1.3 Rent your hearts (saith Ioel) Plow vp the fallowes of your hearts (saith Ieremy) Look as it is with a traueller,* 1.4 who hath now a long time gone forth of his way, when once he commeth to find it, his iudgement doth disallow the way he went in, & which
sometime hee thought the onely true way, his will doth turne from it, his affections likewise are much changed, he greeueth, is full of indig∣nation, to thinke hee should be so wide, he is angry with those, who did mislead him in it; Thus it is with vs from the time God openeth our eyes, to see how we walked astray, in those wayes which wee thought good enough, though the issues of them would haue beene death. Hence it is, that the He∣brewes call Repentance by a word which signifieth Tur∣ning. For indeede Repen∣tance is such an act, wherein the soule doth turne about, looking quite another way from that wherein sometime it walked.
Further it is to be marked, it is not onely a change of hart; but such an one as hath going with it, a change in constitution and conuersati∣on. For it cannot bee, but when the heart is turned and conuerted vnto God, the whole man will bee conuer∣ted also, but as the great wheele in a deuice being tur∣ned, the lesser are together turned with it: so it is heere, the heart being that prim•••••• mobile, that first moouer, ac∣cording to which, all inferior instruments are also moued.
To open this further. You must know that Repentance is not any meere externall change. Secondly, that it is not an hypocritall halfe change of the heart, as Israel returned to God, but not
with her whole heart. Third∣ly, that it is not a change, such as was in Iudas, which ended in desparation, but such a change wherein the soule doth so turne from the sinne of it, that God seeing sinne now become loath∣some to it, doth send his spi∣rit into the heart, both to sanctifie it inwardly, and also to leade it into euery word ••nd good worke, into all manner of holy conuersati∣on. This being the order of these benefits. 1. The Spirit is sent vs from Christ, to work faith in vs, by which we rest on him, and are vni∣••ed with him. 2. We receiue upon this immediately, iusti∣••••cation from him. 3. When ••ow Gods loue to vs (being so wretched in our selues) is
apprehended, wee come to feele working in vs, this Spi∣rit of repentance. 4. The Spirit hauing now brought vs to dislike of our sin, turne from it, feele it a burthen, doth inwardly sanctifie vs, killing sinne and quickening vs with that life of grace, which inableth the soule to supernaturall operation. Fift∣ly, Hauing giuen vs (who are Christs) these new abili∣ties, it is likewise with vs, to lead vs in the exercise of them,* 1.5 according to that; S•• many as are lead by the Spirit of God the same are the sonnes of God; not reguntur, are go∣uerned, but aguntur, are acted and moued; whence the conuersation commeth to bee altered from that i•• was; So that these thre••
changes must be distinguish∣ed. First, The change of the heart in this first conuersion. Secondly, The change of the heart in sanctification. Third∣ly, The change of the out∣ward conuersation. The first being a worke of the Spirit, preparatiue to the o∣ther. For looke as Physici∣••ns, before they will giue the medicine, which should bring vp tough corrupted humors, restore naturall fa∣culties, and so bring a man to that soundnes of naturall actions, which he formerly enioyed; before this I say, they will attenuate, cut, and concoct the matter, making it fit to be educed; euen thus our God he doth by his Spi∣••••t cause Repentance, and the change of it, by which
the hould of sinne, comme•• to be so loosened, that t•• soule is ready of it selfe, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 labour the expulsion of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 before hee doth send 〈◊〉〈◊〉 grace of mortification a•• quicknance, and restore in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the integrity of a spirit•••• conuersation.
[Vse 1] Wherefore wee may s•••• that many are farre fro•• Repentance. Some neue•• haue any change of iudge∣ment or affection touching their former waies, but w•••• boast they are no Chang∣lings, count it leuitie vnbe∣seeming the staidnesse of wisedome, to alter in iudge∣ment or courses. Some haue a change in them, but it may be said of them as of some snakes, they haue cast their coates, but keepe their poy∣son.
Some desist from some ••nnes, but yet haue no ha∣••ed of them: some by ••elues haue a brunt some∣••me of sorrow, but it hath ••o roote in the heart, and ••••nisheth: some like Iudas ••aue a strange turne in mind, ••••d yet are not turned a∣gainst sinne, as sinne, is of∣••••nsiue to God. For as hee ••hat feareth not to touch a coale for the fire in it, doth ••ot properly feare the coale (for he will take the coale in his hand) but the fire which burneth: so he that is greeu∣ed disallowing a sinne, as be∣ing notoriously foule, or as it is followed with vengeance, is not properly greeued at the sinne, but at the punish∣ment, with which it is at∣tended.
[Ʋse 2] Let vs labour also to fin•• a change, as we would ass•••••• our selues of true Repen∣tance. If we can say, some∣time I haue loued such vani∣ties and sinnefull courses, and would iustifie them; but now I dislike and ha•• them; sometime my ioy was in such companion, as were brethren in iniqui∣ty, but now I delight not in them; this is a good signe of a penitent heart, alasse i•• men see and are sorrowfull that they haue beene out of their waies, will they, nay can they go on in them a before? No more can we re∣pent, that wee haue gone a∣misse, and still continue the same courses. Repent and bring foorth fruits worthy Repentance.* 1.6
Matt. 3.8.
Isa. 58.5.
Ioel 2.15.
Ier. 4.3.
Rom. 8.14
Math. 3.8.