1689 15.5

15.5. Of Repentance unto Life and Salvation

Such is the provision which God hath made through Christ in the Covenant of Grace, for the preservation of Believers unto Salvation, that although there is no sin so small, but it deserves damnation; yet there is no sin so great, that it shall bring damnation on them that repent; which makes the constant preaching of Repentance necessary.

Proof texts

• Romans 6:23 — [23] For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
• Isaiah 1:16-18 — [16] Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil, [17] learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause. [18] “Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.
• Isaiah 55:7 — [7] let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

For discussion

1. The Assembly cited Romans 6:23 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
2. 3 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
3. WSC Q85 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
4. WSC Q86 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WSC Q85 · WSC Q86 · WSC Q87 · WCF 15.1 · HC Q86 · BC 6.3 · BC 6.4 · BC 6.5 · SD 15.1 · SD 15.2 · SD 15.3 · SD 15.4 · SD 15.5