Westminster 1647

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Of Repentance unto Life

Of Repentance unto Life

Of Repentance unto Life - Chapter of the Westminster Confession of Faith

  1. Repentance unto life is an evangelical grace,291 the doctrine whereof is to be preached by every minister of the gospel, as well as that of faith in Christ.292

    • 291. Acts 11:18.
    • Zechariah 12:10.
    • 292. Luke 24:47.
    • Mark 1:15.
    • Acts 20:21.

  2. By it a sinner, out of the sight and sense, not only of the danger, but also of the filthiness and odiousness of his sins, as contrary to the holy nature and righteous law of God, and upon the apprehension of his mercy in Christ to such as are penitent, so grieves for, and hates his sins, as to turn from them all unto God,293 purposing and endeavoring to walk with him in all the ways of his commandments.294

    • 293. Ezekiel 18:30,31.
    • Ezekiel 36:31.
    • Isaiah 30:22.
    • Psalms 51:4.
    • Jeremiah 31:18,19.
    • 294. Psalms 119:6,59,106.
    • Luke 1:6.
    • 2 Kings 23:25.

  3. Although repentance be not to be rested in as any satisfaction for sin, or any cause of the pardon thereof,295 which is the act of God's free grace in Christ;296 yet is it of such necessity to all sinners, that none may expect pardon without it.297

    • 295. Ezekiel 36:31.
    • Ezekiel 16:61-63.
    • 296. Hosea 14:2,4.
    • Romans 3:24.
    • Ephesians 1:7.
    • 297. Luke 13:3,5.
    • Acts 17:30,31.

  4. As there is no sin so small but it deserves damnation;298 so there is no sin so great that it can bring damnation upon those who truly repent.299

    • 298. Romans 6:23.
    • Matthew 12:36.
    • Romans 5:12.
    • 299. Isaiah 55:7.
    • Romans 8:1.
    • Isaiah 1:16,18.

  5. Men ought not to content themselves with a general repentance, but it is every man's duty to endeavor to repent of his particular sins, particularly.300

    • 300. Psalms 51:13.
    • Luke 19:8.
    • 1 Timothy 1:13,15.

  6. As every man is bound to make private confession of his sins to God, praying for the pardon thereof,301 upon which, and the forsaking of them, he shall find mercy:302 so he that scandalizeth his brother, or the church of Christ, ought to be willing, by a private or public confession and sorrow for his sin, to declare his repentance to those that are offended;303 who are thereupon to be reconciled to him, and in love to receive him.304

    • 301. Psalms 32:5,6.
    • Psalms 51:4,5,7,9,14.
    • 302. Proverbs 28:13.
    • 1 John 1:9.
    • 303. James 5:16.
    • Luke 17:3,4.
    • Joshua 7:19.
    • Psalms 51:1-19.
    • 304. 2 Corinthians 2:8.