Q1. Why is the repentance, described in the answer called repentance unto life? Acts 11:18.

A. Because being a saving grace, it is inseparably connected with salvation, of which it is a part; and likewise to distinguish it from the "sorrow of the world," which "worketh death," 2 Cor. 7:10.

Q2. What is meant by the sorrow of the world working death?

A. The meaning is, that the legal sorrow, or horror of conscience, which the men of the world may have, from a dread of God, as a vindictive judge, ready to pour out the vials of his wrath and vengeance upon them, without any conception or belief of his mercy through Christ, is nothing else but the beginning of eternal death, and inconceivable misery; as was the case with Cain, Judas, and others.

Q3. Whether is repentance a transient action or an abiding principle?

A. It is an abiding principle, continually disposing the person to mourn for sin, and to turn from it all the days of his life, Isaiah 38:14, 15.

Q4. Is repentance then to be considered as a thing that is over with the first days of one's religion?

A. No; but it is to be viewed as a permanent grace, an habitual frame of soul, inclining those who are privileged with it, to mourn daily for sin, till "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes," in heaven, Rev. 21:4.

Q5. Who is the proper subject of repentance?

A. None but a sinner can be the subject capable of it: for just or righteous persons "need no repentance," Luke 15:7.

Q6. By whom is it wrought in the heart of a sinner?

A. "By the Spirit of God," Zech. 12:10."108

Q7. What is the instrument or means, by which the Spirit works this grace?

A. "The word of God," Acts, 11:18, 20, 21."109

Q8. What is the instrumentality of the word, in the hand of the Spirit, for working repentance?

A. In the word there is a display of the holiness of the divine nature and law, to which we ought to be conformed, Lev. 19:2; the word also discovers the necessity of union with Christ, and the imputation of his righteousness, as the foundation of true holiness, 1 Cor. 1:30; together with the inevitable ruin of all who go on in their trespasses, Psalm 68:21, and all these powerfully set home, by the Spirit, upon the conscience of the sinner.

Q9. In what consists a true sense of sin?110

A. In a "sight and sense, not only of the danger, but also of the filthiness and odiousness of sin, Ezek. 36:31,"111 as contrary to the holiness of God, and, consequently, as highly offensive to him, Psalm 51:4.

Q10. How is a true sense of sin begotten in the soul?

A. By faith, or an apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ.

Q11. May there not be a sense of sin without this apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ?

A. Yes; but not a true sense; there may be a sense of sin as hurtful to the person, Gen. 4:13; but not as hateful to God, Hab. 1:13.

Q12. Why is the mercy of God said to be apprehended in Christ?

A. Because though God is essentially merciful, yet his mercy can have no egress towards any sinner of mankind, consistent with the honour of his justice and holiness, except through the obedience and satisfaction of Christ, Ex. 34:6, 7.

Q13. What is it to APPREHEND the mercy of God in Christ?

A. It is the same with faith, or believing; it being by faith only, that we can lay hold upon his mercy, Psalm 13:5.

Q14. Is it from faith then that repentance flows, as the proper source of it?

A. Yes; for though faith and repentance are graces given together, and at once in respect of time; yet, in the order of nature, the acting of faith goes before the exercise of repentance, Zech. 12:10.

Q15. How does it appear, from scripture, that faith goes before repentance, in the order of nature?

A. The scriptures set forth the blessed object of faith, and the promises of rich grace, as powerful motives and inducements to repentance, Jer. 3:14; Joel 2:13; by which it is evident that it must be by a believing application of this glorious object, brought nigh in the promise, that a sinner is enabled to exercise true repentance, Acts 11:21 - "And a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord."

Q16. How may the precedency of faith be evinced from the nature of repentance itself?

A. Repentance is turning from sin unto God; but there can be no turning to God, but through Christ, John 14:6; and no coming to Christ except by faith, chap. 6:35.

Q17. Is not repentance placed before faith in scripture, Mark 1:15 - "Repent ye, and believe the gospel"?

A. The reason is, repentance being the end, and faith the means to that end; though the end be first in one's intention, yet the means are first in practice. Thus, in the text quoted, Christ commands sinners to repent; but then in order to their repenting, he commands them to believe the gospel, as the only way to do it.

Q18. How are we sure, that where repentance is named before faith in scripture, it is to be understood of repentance as the end, and of faith as the only way and means?

A. From Acts 20:21:"Testifying - repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ" where it is obvious, that if "faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ" is not the "means of repentance toward God," that fundamental truth would be destroyed, that "Christ is the only way to the Father," as he himself affirms, John 14:6 - "No man cometh unto the Father but by me."

Q19. Is repentance to be separated from faith?

A. No; though these graces are to be distinguished, yet they are never to be separated from one another; being conjoined in the same promise, Zech. 12:10 - "They shall LOOK upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall MOURN for him."

Q20. What is the evil of maintaining that none but true penitents have a warrant to embrace Christ by faith?

A. It sets sinners upon spinning repentance out of their own bowels, that they may fetch it with them, as a price in their hand to Christ, instead of coming to him by faith, to obtain it from him, as his gift, Acts 5:31.

Q21. What are the constituent parts, or ingredients, of true repentance, as flowing from faith?

A. Grief and hatred of sin; turning from it unto God; with full purpose of, and endeavour after, new obedience.

Q22. What is that grief which is an ingredient of true repentance?

A. It is a real, inward and abiding sorrow for sin, as offensive and dishonouring to a holy and gracious God, Job 40:4, 5.

Q23. What is that hatred of sin, which accompanies true repentance?

A. It is not only a loathing and abhorring of our sin, but of ourselves, on account of it, Isaiah 6:5.

Q24. What are the qualities of this hatred?

A. It is universal, against all sin, Psalm 119:104; and irreconcilable to any known sin, Psalm 101:3.

Q25. What is the formal nature of evangelical repentance, or that which properly completes it?

A. It is when a sinner doth, with grief and hatred of his sin, turn from it unto God.

Q26. From what does the sinner turn in repentance?

A. He turns from sin; because a continuance in the practice of sin is inconsistent with repentance, Ezek. 14:6 - "Repent and turn - from your idols, and turn away your faces from all your abominations."

Q27. How can penitents be said to turn from sin, when it remains in them, and they are daily offending while in this life?

A. Though they cannot shake themselves loose of the being and remains of sin, yet they turn from it, not only in their life and conversation, but likewise in their heart and affection.

Q28. How do they evidence that they turn from it in their life and conversation?

A. By resisting the outbreakings of sin, and all temptations to it, Psalm 18:23; by watching against all occasions of it, Proverbs 4:14, 15; and endeavouring to "have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men," Acts 24:16.

Q29. How do they manifest their turning from sin in heart and affection?

A. In as much as though sin cleaves to them, they do not cleave to it, as formerly, but hate and loathe it, Psalm 119:104, 113.

Q30. To what does the sinner turn in repentance?

A. He turns unto God, Hos. 6:1 - "Come, and let us return unto the Lord."

Q31. Do not many turn from one sin to another, and never to God?

A. Yes; "They return, but not to the Most High," Hos. 7:16.

Q32. What is the true cause of the sinner's turning to God?

A. It is his being turned unto God first, Jer. 31:19 - "Surely, after that I was turned, I repented."

Q33. How is the sinner turned unto God first?

A. By the Spirit's working faith in him, whereby he receives and rests on Christ for salvation, of which remission of sin, and repentance, are a part, Acts 5:31.

Q34. In what does the sinner's turning to God consist?

A. It consists in his turning to the loving of God, as his Lord and Master, Isaiah 26:13; and to his duty to him as such, Acts 9:6.

Q35. How does the returning sinner express his love to God, as his Lord and Master?

A. By a voluntary choice of him as his only Lord, Hos. 2:7; and by looking upon his service as the greatest freedom and happiness, Psalm 84:4.

Q36. How does he testify his returning to his duty to God, as his Lord and Master?

A. By a full purpose of, and endeavour after new obedience.

Q37. What is the nature of this purpose of duty to God, into which the true penitent enters?

A. It is a purpose or resolution to return to the practice of every known duty, Psalm 119:106, and to spirituality in it, Phil. 3:3.

Q38. Why called a FULL purpose?

A. Because it is not only a resolution of what a person will do hereafter, but a resolution which is immediately put in execution, without delay, Psalm 119:60 - "I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments;" like the prodigal, who says, "I will arise, and go to my father;" and immediately he arose and went, Luke 15:18, 20.

Q39. What is the inseparable concomitant of this full purpose in all true penitents?

A. An endeavour after new obedience.

Q40. Why is a full purpose of new obedience connected with an endeavour after it?

A. Because purposes, without endeavours, are but like blossoms without fruit, which can never prove one to be a true penitent, Matt. 21:30.

Q41. Why called an endeavour after new obedience?

A. Because, though the penitent is sensible he cannot perform this kind of obedience in his own strength, yet he aims at it, and at no less than perfection in it, Phil. 3:14 - "I press toward the mark, for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

Q42. Why is the obedience which the true penitent purposes and endeavours after, called new obedience?

A. Because it is such an obedience as flows from a new principle, is influenced by new motives, performed in a new manner, and is aimed at a new end.

Q43. What is the new principle from which this obedience flows?

A. A principle of faith, Rom. 14:23, and a principle of love, John 14:15.

Q44. What are the new motives by which this new obedience is influenced?

A. The "grace of God," Titus 2:11, 12; and the "love of Christ," 2 Cor. 5:14, 15.

Q45. What are the motives by which men, in a natural state, are influenced to duties?

A. The dictates of a natural conscience, Rom. 2:15; their own interest and reputation, Matt. 6:5, a mercenary hope of heaven, Micah 6:6, 7, or a slavish fear of hell, Isaiah 33:14.

Q46. What is the new manner in which new obedience is performed?

A. It is performed in the strength of Christ, Phil. 4:13; or in a dependence on the furniture secured in the promise, 2 Cor. 12:9; it is done with delight, Isaiah 64:5; and with the whole heart, Psalm 119:69.

Q47. What is the new end at which it aims?

A. The glory of God is the ultimate end of it, 1 Cor. 10:31.

Q48. What is the difference between legal and gospel repentance?

A. Legal repentance flows from a dread of God's wrath, Matt. 27:3-6; but gospel repentance from the faith of his mercy, Psalm 130:4; in legal repentance, the sinner is taken up mostly with the fatal consequences of sin, Isaiah 49:9-12; in gospel repentance, he is chiefly affected with the evil nature of it, as contrary to the holy nature and law of God, Luke 15:21.

Q49. What are the motives that should produce repentance?

A. The command of God, Acts 17:30; the suffering of Christ, Zech. 12:10; and the certain danger of impenitency, Luke 13:5.

Q50. What are the evidences of true repentance?

A. The very same that are mentioned by the apostle, 2 Cor. 7:11 - "For behold, the self-same thing that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you; yea, what clearing of yourselves; yea, what indignation; yea, what fear; yea, what vehement desire; yea, what zeal; yea, what revenge?

Q51. What is that carefulness which is a mark of the true penitent?

A. It is carefulness about the one thing needful, that good part which shall not be taken away, Luke 10:42.

Q52. Upon what ground will the true penitent clear himself?

A. Only upon the ground of the surety-righteousness imputed to him, Isaiah 45:24.

Q53. What is the principal object of his indignation?

A. It is sin, as striking immediately against God, Psalm 51:4, compared with Psalm 119:104.

Q54. What is that fear, which is an evidence of true repentance?

A. It is a filial and reverential fear of God, or a standing in awe to offend him, Gen. 39:9.

Q55. What is that vehement desire, with which a true penitent is privileged?

A. It is an earnest and ardent desire after conformity to God, and fellowship with him, Psalm 27:4.

Q56. What kind of zeal is it, that is evidential of gospel repentance?

A. It is zeal for the glory of God, and the interest of Christ in the world, Psalm 137:5, 6.

Q57. What is that revenge, which is competent to a true penitent?

A. It is Such a revenge against sin, as aims at its utter ruin and extirpation, Rom. 7:24.

Q58. In what respects is repentance necessary?

A. It is necessary in respect of the command of God, Acts 17:30, and as evidential of the reality of faith, of which it is the native fruit, and effect, Zech. 12:10.

Q59. May not this duty be delayed or put off for a while?

A. No; because of the uncertainty of time, Luke 12:19, 20, and of the continuance of the Spirit's striving, Gen. 6:3.

Q60. When should the Lord's people apply to him, for the exercise of this grace of repentance, in a more especial and particular manner?

A. After great falls, 2 Sam 12:13; when under severe trials, or deep affliction, 2 Sam. 15:26, 30; and when they are to ask of God some singular favour or mercy, Dan. 9:8, compared with verses 18, 19.

Q61. By what means may the lively exercise of repentance be attained?

A. By looking on it as the gift of Christ, Acts 5:31; and by viewing our sins as laid on him, who was pierced for them, Zech 12:10; together with searching and trying our ways, Lam. 3:40.

Q1. Who is the author of saving repentance?

A. The Spirit of God is the author of it; the heart by nature is so hard, that none but the Spirit can break it; Ezekiel 36:26, 27. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: And I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, etc.

Q2. In what act does all true repentance begin?

A. It begins in a true sight and sense of sin, and the danger and misery we are in by sin; Acts 2:37. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their hearts, etc.

Q3. Why does God work such a sense of sin and misery?

A. He does it to make Christ desirable in the sinner's eyes, that he may fly to him; Matthew 9:12, 13. But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go you and learn what that means, and I will have mercy, and not sacrifice; for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Q4. Is the sight of sin sufficient to repentance?

A. No; there must be apprehension of mercy and forgiveness with God, or else no man can sincerely repent; Romans 2:4. Not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance. And this mercy must be discerned in and through Christ; Zechariah 12:10. And they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him as one mourns for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him as one that is in bitterness for his first-born.

Q5. Wherein does repentance chiefly consist?

A. It consists in real inward sorrow for sin, as committed against God: Psalm 51:3, 4. For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only have I sinned, and done this evil in your sight, etc. A loathing of ourselves for it; Ezekiel 36:31. And shall loath yourselves in your own sight, for your iniquities, and for your abominations. And of our best duties, as sinful and insufficient things; Isaiah 64:5, 6. We are all as an unclean thing; and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags, etc.

Q6. Wherein else does it consist?

A. In turning from sin, as well as grieving for it; Isaiah 55:7. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, etc. Proverbs 28:13. He who covers his sins, shall not prosper; but whoever confesses and forsakes them, shall have mercy.

Q7. Is turning from sin sufficient?

A. No, that is but the negative part of religion; there must be also a sincere turning to God; Psalm 119:59. I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto your testimonies; Acts 11:23. And exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.

Q8. Is all sorrow for sin saving?

A. No; there is a repentance that does no good; Matthew 27:3. Then Judas which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, etc. And a repentance unto life; Acts 11:18. Then has God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

Q9. What are the signs of true repentance?

A. Fear of sin; care to preserve ourselves from it; and zeal to honor God by new obedience; 2 Corinthians 7:11. For behold, this self-same thing that you sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you; yes, what clearing of yourselves; yes, what indignation; yes, what fear; yes, what vehement desire; yes, what zeal; yes, what revenge? In all things you have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

Q10. Is there a necessity of repentance in order to forgiveness?

A. Yes, there is; and they are therefore conjoined in scripture; Acts 5:31. For to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins And destruction threatened to the impenitent: Luke 13:3. Except you repent, you shall all likewise perish.

Q11. What is the first inference hence?

A. That it is a false doctrine which teaches us that sins are actually forgiven from eternity; and therefore no need either of repentance or prayer, save only for the manifestation of pardon.

Q12. What is the second inference hence?

A. That an hard heart is a dreadful sign of a lost state of soul; Romans 2:5. But after your hardness and impenitent heart, treasures up unto yourself wrath against the day of wrath, and revelation of the righteous judgment of God.

Q13. What is the last inference hence?

A. That there is no cause to despair of the vilest sinner, seeing there is power enough in the Spirit of God to break the hardest heart; Ezekiel 36:26. I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. Of Christ's Ordinances

Q1. Is true repentance, repentance unto life?

A. Yes: God hath to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life, Acts 11:18.

Q2. Is it a grace?

A. Yes: If God peradventure will give them repentance, 2 Tim. 2:25.

Q3. Is it a saving grace?

A. Yes: Godly sorrow worketh repentance unto salvation, 2 Cor. 7:10.

Q4. Is repentance required of every one of us?

A. Yes: God commandeth all men everywhere to repent, Acts 17:30.

Q5. Is it necessary to our pardon?

A. Yes: For repentance and remission of sins are preached to all nations, Luke 24:47.

Q6. Is it given to qualify us for pardon?

A. Yes: God hath exalted his Son Christ Jesus, to give repentance and remission of sins, Acts 5:3.

Q7. Can we be saved without it?

A. No: Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish, Luke 13:3.

Q8. Is it necessary to repentance, that there be a sense of sin?

A. Yes: Cause Jerusalem to know her abominations, Ezek. 16:2.

Q9. Must there be an acknowledgment of sin?

A. Yes: I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me, Ps. 51:3.

Q10. Must we acknowledge the fact of sin?

A. Yes: Thus and thus have I done, Josh. 7:20.

Q11. And the fault?

A. Yes: I have done this evil in thy sight, Ps. 51:4.

Q12. And the folly of it?

A. Yes: O God, thou knowest my foolishness, Ps. 69:5.

Q13. Must we acknowledge the original of sin?

A. Yes: Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, Ps. 51:5.

Q14. Must we acknowledge ourselves odious to God's holiness because of sin?

A. Yes: Behold, I am vile, Job 11:4.

Q15. And obnoxious to his justice?

A. Yes: If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand, Ps. 130:3.

Q16. Must there be an apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ?

A. Yes: There is forgiveness with thee that thou mayest be feared, Ps. 130:4.

Q17. Must that invite us to repent?

A. Yes: The goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance, Rom. 2:4.

Q18. Is that evangelical repentance which flows from a hope of that mercy?

A. Yes: Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand, Matt. 3:2.

Q19. Can there be true repentance where there is a despair of mercy?

A. No: Thou saidst there is hope; no, I have loved strangers, and after them will I go, Jer. 2:25.

Q20. Have we reason to hope for that mercy?

A. Yes: Turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy, Isa. 55:7.

Q21. Must there be contrition for sin?

A. Yes: When they heard this, they were pricked to the heart, Acts. 2:37.

Q22. Must we turn from sin?

A. Yes: Everyone mourning for his iniquities, Ezek. 7:16.

Q23. Must we mourn greatly for sin?

A. Yes: Peter went out and wept bitterly, Matt. 26:75.

Q24. Must we mourn after a godly sort?

A. Yes: Ye sorrowed according to God, 2 Cor. 7:9,margin.

Q25. Must we mourn for sin with an eye to Christ?

A. Yes: They shall look on him whom they have pierced, and mourn, Zech. 12:10.

Q26. Must we hate sin?

A. Yes: I hate every false way, Ps. 119:128.

Q27. Must we loathe ourselves because of sin?

A. Yes: I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes, Job 42:6.

Q28. Must we be ashamed of ourselves before God?

A. Yes: I am ashamed, and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God, Ezra 9:6.

Q29. And must we humble ourselves greatly in his presence?

A. Yes: As the publican that stood afar off; and would not lift up so much as his eyes to heaven, Luke 18:13.

Q30. Must we confess our sins?

A. Yes: For he that covers his sins shall not prosper, Prov. 28:13.

Q31. And must we aggravate them?

A. Yes: I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, Luke 15:18.

Q32. And must we judge ourselves because of them?

A. Yes: If we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged, 1 Cor. 11:31.

Q33. And must we cry earnestly to God for pardon in the blood of Christ?

A. Yes: God be merciful to me a sinner, Luke 18:13.

Q34. Must we turn from sin?

A. Yes: Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions, Ezek. 18:30.

Q35. From our own sin?

A. Yes: Return ye now every one from his evil way, Jer. 18:11.

Q36. And must we turn to God?

A. Yes: If thou wilt return, O Israel, return unto me, Jer. 4:1.

Q37. Are backsliders invited to return?

A. Yes: Return ye backsliding children, Jer. 3:22.

Q38. And should they accept the invitation?

A. Yes: Behold, we come unto thee, for thou art the Lord our God, Jer. 3:22.

Q39. In repentance must there be a change of the mind?

A. Yes: Make ye a new heart, Ezek. 18:31.

Q40. Must there be a change of the way?

A. Yes: Cease to do evil, learn to do well, Isa. 1:16,17.

Q41. Must there be a full resolution against all sin?

A. Yes: Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols, Hos. 14:8.

Q42. And a full resolution of new obedience?

A. Yes: The Lord our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey, Josh. 24:24.

Q43. And must we be serious in our endeavours accordingly?

A. Yes: Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance, Matt. 3:8.