God, in calling by his grace those who have arrived at years of discretion, gives them repentance unto life; that is to say, a change is wrought in their thoughts, belief, and lives; and deep, unfeigned sorrow produced, because they have sinned against him.1 And inasmuch as corruption remains in the best of men on earth, and that they through the deceitfulness of their sins within and the temptations of the devil, offend in many things, God has provided, in the covenant of grace, that, when believers offend, they shall be renewed again through repentance.2
Through the evangelical grace of repentance the Holy Spirit makes the believer sensible of the great evil of sin, and through faith in Christ humbles and abhors himself because of it, and in godly sorrow hates it, and earnestly prays for pardon of his past sins, and to be strengthened through grace against sin; and he fully resolves, with the help of the Spirit, to walk before God unto all pleasing in all things.3
Repentance must needs continue during the whole life of the Christian, because the body of death continues. It is his duty to repent, not only of sin in general, but also of all his particular sins.4
Such is the provision in the covenant for the safety of believers, that, as there is no sin so small but deserves condemnation, there is no sin so great that it can bring condemnation upon him who truly repents.5 The preaching of repentance is, therefore, at all times necessary.6
1 Zech.12:10; Acts 11:18: 20:21; Mark 1:15. 2 1 Kings 8:46; Psa. 19:12; 51:3-4, 7,10; 89:32; Hos 14 :1-4; Jer. 32:39; Heb. 3:13; James 3:2. 3 Ezek. 16:60-61; 18:30-31; 36:31; Psa. 51:4; Joel 2:12-13; Amos 5:15; Hos. 14:2; 2 Kings 23:25; 2 Cor. 7:11; Psa. 25:11. 4 Rom. 7:24; Psa. 32:5; 51:7-14; 1 John 1:8-9; Luke 19:8; Josh. 7:19. 5 Luke 13:3; Acts 17:30; Rom. 5:12; 6:23; 8:1: Isa. 1:18; 55:7; 2 Sam. 12:13. 6 Luke 24:47; 2 Tim. 2:25; Acts 3:19.
