Vol 01 - Chapter 05 - Of Repentance, Faith, and Justification.

Chapter 05 - Of Repentance, Faith, and Justification
REPENTANCE is the work of the Holy Ghost wrought in the soul, by which man acknowledging his faults, and the just wrath of GOD against sin, does earnestly grieve for the same, and then understanding the grace of GOD by faith in JESUS CHRIST, obtaineth thereby the remission of his sins. And by this penitence is the mortification tification of the flesh, and of all carnal desires accomplished; arid, together with the same, the quickening also of the Spirit, or our resurrection in CHRIST. We said, but now, that by the fall of Adam, man became devilish, earthly, and carnal, without GOD, and without love; so that every where, in all things, man now studies himself, favors and applauds himself, and sets forth and provides only for his own interest, honor' and glory..
And this is the effect of Adam's fall, who involved thereby all mankind with himself; and this corruption and depravation of human nature must, of necessity, be done quite away, which it cannot be but by a true and Divine contrition, by faith, apprehending the remission of sins, and by the mortification of carnal desires; and the crucifixion of self-love and pride. For true conversion does not consist in putting away great and outward sins only, but in descending deeply into your own self, searching into the inmost recesses of the heart, the secrets and closets, all the windings and turnings thereof; changing and renewing them throughout, with the grace, that is given you: and so, by faith, you are converted from self-love to Divine love; from the world and all worldly concupiscences, to a spiritual and heavenly life; and from a participation of the pomps and pleasures thereof, to participating the merits and virtues of CHRIST, by believing his word, and walking in his steps. Lo! this is the path of true conversion; and here is the ground of that mortification of the flesh, or carnal principle ill man, which is so necessary for the' quickening of the Spirit.
2. It follows, that a man must deny himself, must mortify his own will, and suffer himself to be led wholly by the Divine will; must not seek himself, must not esteem himself, but account himself the unworthiest of all creatures; must renounce all things he has, for the love of CHRIST; must contemn the world, with all the pumps and honors thereof; must pass by his own wisdom, and all endowments of gifts, as if he saw them not; must trust in no creature, but GOD alone; yea, must hate his own life; that is, his carnal will and pleasures, his concupiscence, pride, covetousness, lust, wrath, envy; must lay the ax to the root of all these; must not please himself; must boast of nothing, attribute nothing to himself, or to his own strength; must, in a word, die to the world; to the desire of the eyes, and of the flesh, and to the pride of life, and so be crucified unto the world, without which no man can ever be the disciple of CHRIST. This is the true conversion from the world, from himself and the devil, to GOD; without which, no sinner can have remissian-of sins, nor attain salvation. This is the true mortifying of the flesh, without which the Spirit cannot be quickened.
This conversion is the denial of a man's self, and is the true cross and yoke of CHRIST, of which himself speaks, saying, " Take my yoke upon you,: `d learn of me, for I any meek and lowly in heart." As if he should say, by earnest and inward humility, whereof you have an example in me, must thy self-love and ambition be tamed; and by meekness, thy wrath, and desire of revenge. And this is indeed to crucify ur flesh with its affections and desires. Therefore they do greatly err, who know no other cross than tribulations and worldly afflictions; being ignorant of the inward mortification of the flesh, that true cross which we ought to carry after CHRIST daily: by hearing our enemies with great patience, and by overcoming the disdain and arrogance of our malicious slanders and cruel adversaries, with all mildness and humility, after the pattern of the Lamb of GOD; forasmuch as it becomes us to follow the example of CHRIST, and to be with him perfectly crucified to all worldliness, to all worldly splendor and glory, to all this world's interest and power, to all its fame and praise, and to every thing that is called great or noble: that looking unto him, we may thereby learn to endure the cross, even as he did, and with him to despise its shame.
3. To this are we called by CHRIST; namely, to a true and inward conversion from the world to God. To which alone the imputation of his righteousness, through faith, together with remission of our sins, is promised. So that without this inward repentance,_ CHRIST profiteth us nothing; for without it, man cannot participate of his grace, favor, and merit. These are to be apprehended only by a contrite, faithful, humble, and penitent heart. And truly, this fruit of the passion of CHRIST is in us, that we may die to sin by true repentance; as the fruit of his resurrection is in us; that CHRIST may live in us, and we in CHRIST. This is the only true repentance, when inwardly in the heart, with earnest sorrow, and most unfeigned feeling of heaviness, for having offended a most gracious and good GOD, we are made first truly contrite and afflicted in spirit; and then both holy and joyful, being purged and changed, being thoroughly amended by remission of sins, through faith in JESUS CHRIST, and so transformed inwardly from the image of the old Adam into that of the new; whereby it cannot but come to pass that the outward life and_ manners must also be renewed and changed. But what if one should only perform bodily repentance; should abstain from great sins, while no care is taken to enter into the inward and new life in CHRIST JESUS; shall not such an one nevertheless be damned Yea, verily; it shall not profit him a straw to cry, Lord, Lord; but he shall hear that terrible voice, “I know you not:" for most certain it is, not all that say, " Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but only those that do the will of the heavenly Father." Under which terrible sentence, men of all orders and ranks are comprised; if they do not inwardly, and from the heart, truly repent, and so become new creatures in CHRIST.
4. Faith is a solid trust, and a firm and certain persuasion of the grace of GOD, promised to us in CHRIST JESUS for the remission of sins, and life eternal, enkindled through the word of GOD, and the Holy Ghost, in our hearts. By which faith we have conferred upon us the remission of our sins, and that freely; for no merits of ours, but for CHRIST's alone, and out of mere grace, that so our faith may remain fixed upon a firm and solid foundation, and we be immovable in the Lord. And this forgiveness of sins is our justification, which is neither of men nor of angels, but by the obedience of the Son of GOD himself, and by his most precious merits and perfect ransom; which by faith we' appropriate to us, fixing and applying the same to ourselves; whence, neither the imperfections of our life, nor any sins, are left remaining in us to condemn us, but they are covered as with the veil of grace, for CHRIST's sake, who henceforward lives and works in us.
5. By this solid and firm faith, a man does now dedicate his whole heart solely to GOD, in whom henceforth he resteth alone; to whom alone he is fast glewed, with whom alone he entereth into fellowship. He is now joined to GOD, and so participates all things that are of GOD, and of CHRIST, and is thence made one spirit with _ GOD, gathering from him a Divine power and strength, with a new life, which has in it new joys, new recreations, new occupations, wherein are peace, lightness of heart, and durable satisfaction, which make in us the soul's sabbath, and the Spirit's rest. For by this is justification., and by this is sanctifcation it the Holy Ghost. Where true faith is, there CHRIST verily is with righteousness and holiness; with all his merits, justification, adoption, and inheritance of life eternal.
Whereupon the apostle, writing to the Hebrews, calls faith a substance; thereby understanding the undoubted, solid, and firm trust of receiving such things as are hoped for, and a certain manifest conviction, sensation, and experience of such things as are invisible. And so great and powerful indeed is the consolation of a true, living faith in our hearts, that it cannot but convince, by arguing most firmly and most solidly from experience, and from a great taste of the sovereign good in the soul, from the quietude of heart, and from peace in GOD; whereby the hope of salvation remains unshaken, which a Christian man doubts not even to seal with his blood. And this is that strength of spirit, that might of the inward man, that vigor and alacrity of faith, that *, parrhesia, or'holy boldness, (Ephesians 3:12, Php_1:14, 1 John 3:21.) This is that joy in GOD, 1 Thessalonians 2:2; this is that * plerophoria, that immovable and firm certainty, that exceeding and superabounding assurance, 1 Thessalonians 1:5, for which one should even dare to die. But it behoveth him that believeth to be lively, and inward in most powerful consolation, that he may receive Divine recruits, and a celestial strength, whereby the fear of death, and the love of the world, may be utterly extinguished.
Whereupon St. John well pronounceth, « That he that is born of GOD has overcome the world." But now, to be cc born of God" cannot be any figurative, or shadowy thing; it must needs be a lively thing, and very powerful; for it were a wickedness to believe that the living GOD can beget a dead offspring. GOD cannot, being a living GOD, but beget a living man, that may be after his likeness. And seeing our faith is the victory,* who can doubt but this our faith, which is commanded by GOD, and by him empowered to overcome the world, must be lively and vigorous, active and potent, over-ruling all our affections, and working in us a Divine confidence, a heavenly vivacity, and an infallible and triumphant influence Yea, how should it be otherwise since CHRIST himself is apprehended by faith, fixed in our minds, and ingrafted in our understanding. And by this virtue of GOD we do as it were return into GOD, and become one with God. And from Adaln, as from a cursed vine, we are thus transplanted into the living and blessed vine. In CHRIST we now possess all his goods; and in CHRIST, the Just One,, we are, together with him, Justified. Even as a scion that is engrafted into a good tree, grows, flourishes, and bears fruit; but without it, withers: so man, without CHRIST, is as a cursed vine, and all his works are sinful; the grapes of it being bitterness and gall; but in CHRIST he is blessed and justified.
6. By this then it appears manifestly, that works do not justify; because we must be engrafted into CHRIST by faith, before ever we can do any good work; and so this justification, O man, is the gift of GOD, freely given before, and preventing all thy merits. And we may as well say, that a dead man may see or hear, may stand or walk, or do any good of himself-as that, being spiritually dead, you can do any good of thyself. As he therefore that is dead cannot do any work, but he must first be raised from death to life; so you likewise, that art dead in sin, can not perform any work to GOD, unless you be first raised by CHRIST to life. It necessarily follows that thy justification proceeds from faith in CHRIST and a believer is like a new-born babe, just come into the world, weak and naked, destitute, and set before the eyes of its Savior, from whom (as from its parent,) itreceives righteousness, holiness, life, light, and the Holy Ghost. After this manner is the naked child, by the mercy of GOD, clothed; and his spotted garments being taken away, he receiveth of GOD, grace, health, truth, and holiness. This alone, this receiving CHRIST in the heart, makes a man both holy and happy; and evidenceth that this true justification is only through faith, not through works: I say, through faith; which apprehending CHRIST, with all his goodness, challengeth and makes it all his own. Then sin, death, the devil, and hell, give back affrighted; and in much confusion vanish away. And so powerfully does the merit of CHRIST, through faith, work, that even the sins of the whole world cannot hurt such au one; forasmuch as he is delivered from the bondage of sin and death.
7. Now seeing CHRIST by-faith lives and dwells in thee, never think that this his indwelling in thee is a dead work; but rather that it is a living thing-a quickening principle, a vital force, a powerful working, an effectual transformation, a thorough renewing: for faith performeth two things;-first, it transplanteth thee into CHRIST; and gives him freely to thee, with all that he has:-secondly, it reneweth thee in CHRIST, that you may grow green, and flourish, and live in him. Neither is the wild graft brought into the stock for other purpose, but that it should flourish and bring forth fruit. For as by the apostasy of Adam, the seed of the serpent, and the diabolical nature is sown in man, growing up into a tree, and bearing the fruits of death; even so, by the Word of GOD, and by the Holy Ghost, faith is sown in our hearts as the seed of God; in. which seed, after a wonderful manner, are shut up and comprehended all the Divine virtues and properties, which day by day are manifested: from whence there does flow a most glorious image of GOD; and this brings forth a new tree, the fruits whereof are obedience, patience, humility, meekness, peace, charity, justice, temperance, fortitude; and so the whole kingdom of GOD descends into man.
8. For true and saving faith reneweth the whole man; purifies the spirit, sanctifies the soul, makes clean the heart. It knitteth this when cleansed, and uniteth it fast to GOD; and the heart, when it is thus purged and set free - from earthly desires, then soareth easily heaven-wards, It hungereth and thirstest after righteousness; it works love, it brings peace, joy, patience, strength, moderation in adversity: it overcomes the world, with the prince thereof; it makes us the sons of GOD, and coheirs with CHRIST. But if any one be without this joy, acknowledging himself to be of little faith, yet let him beware he distrust not the merciful goodness of the Lord, but rather let him trust in the grace that is promised by CHRIST.. We may fall; yet the grace of GOD remains firm to us, whensoever, by a true and serious repentance, we arise from our fall. For CHRIST is, and will be, CHRIST; yea, he will be thy Savior, whether you take hold of him by a strong or by a weak faith; if you take hold of him indeed, for he embraceth both alike, even the weak and the strong: CHRIST is alike to all. Moreover, the promise of grace is universal and perpetual, upon which it is necessary faith should be founded, without difference or exception, be it great or little, be it firm or weak. In the mean time, lift up thy heart with hope, O you that art heavy laden! for GOD will, in his good time, bring that joy unto thee, although he hide himself awhile.
9. But if you repent not of thy sins, then the merit of CHRIST profiteth thee not. For seeing that CHRIST proffereth himself to be the Physician of our' souls, and his holy blood to be the medicine of our spiritual diseasesand no medicine, though it be never so precious or powerful, can cure the sick person who will not reform things hurtful, and such as resist the power of the medicine;--it follows, that the blood of CHRIST, and his most precious death, can profit nothing to those that purpose not for the future to abstain from all sin. Moreover, if CHRIST, by his holy blood, become our medicine, who can doubt but that first we must know also that we are sick For the whole have no need of a physician, but the sick and none is spiritually sick, so as to be sensible of it, who is not penitent; and none can be sensible of it, as be ought, who is not sorrowful, from his very heart, for his sins. For he who has not a contrite heart, who is too secure concerning the wrath of GOD, who has not resolved to flee all worldly desires; but who seeks after honor, wealth, or pleasure; such an one is not a proper patient for the heavenly Physician to work a cure upon:. such know not that they are sick, and consequently need no physician; and CHRIST hence profiteth them nothing; for it is manifest they apply not themselves for a cure. Therefore, again and again, let this be remembered by thee, that CHRIST JESUS called sinners; but it was to repentance that he called them: because only a penitent, contrite heart is capable of the most precious blood, death, and merits of CHRIST. And I account him happy, whosoever he be, that heareth his holy calling inwardly, and gladly obeyeth the same.
10. After true repentance, remission of sins does follow immediately:* neither is it possible that any one should have his sins remitted, but who repenteth; or that he should be absolved, who grieveth not that he has sinned. And yet there be many who, although in their life-time they never have repented from their hearts that they had sinned, nor have abated at all of their wrath, covetousness, pride, malice, envy, hypocrisy, and unrighteousness; yet dare expect the remission of sins, and claim to themselves the merits of CHRIST:--which indeed is a most blind and deplorable impudence; however they may baptize it with the holy name of faith. These are such as flatter themselves to their own exceeding great loss, fondly persuading themselves that they are good Christians, because they outwardly know the gospel, and believe that CHRIST. died for their sins; and by this means think assuredly they shall be saved.
11. But this is not faith, but fancy; and you art deceived after a most miserable manner, who can suffer thyself to be deluded at this rate. For neither doth the Word of GOD teach that by this means life eternal is to be obtained; neither did any of the prophets or apostles so preach; but this is the unanimous consent of all the Sacred writers, " You who desirest to have thy sins parBoned, first repent, and learn to abstain from thy sins; and thus grieving from thy heart that you has sinned, and proposing to be another man, believe earnestly in CHRIST." But how should he be sorry for his sins, who never thinks how to avoid sin Or, how should he avoid them, who is not sorrowful for them Wherefore CHRIST, with all his apostles and prophets, does teach thee, O man! that you must die to the world and sin; die to thy pride, thy covetousness, thy lust, thy wrath; and' that you must return with all thy heart to the Lord, and then ask pardon of him: which being done, you art absolved, and made free from thy sins. And then the heavenly Physician takes care of thee, who only healeth those that are of a contrite heart. If you insist upon any other way, CHRIST will profit thee nothing and in vain is the boasting of thy faith.
12. For true faith is that which reneweth the man, which mortifieth sin, and quickeneth him in CHRIST. But how can you belong to CHRIST, if you dost not " crucify the flesh, with all the desires thereof" Go then and hear four or five sermons a day, and every month, yea, every week, go to the communion; all these things, verily, are far short of remission of sins, if you bring not with thee a truly penitent heart, which may make thee capable of this salutary medicine, the body and blood of CHRIST. It must be confessed, that the holy sacraments, and the Word of GOD, are most powerful remedies, and most sovereign helps; but they are only so to those that truly repent of their sins, and with a daily mourning, detest their former life. For what profiteth it to anoint a stone with precious ointment or to administer a rne(licInc to a dead man Or, what harvest shall you reap, if you sowest amongst thorns and briars Therefore, you must first pull up these thorns and thistles, that choke the good seed, and root out all things that hinder thee from reaping a good harvest.
13. So then, whosoever you art, O man! if thou cleavest to thy sins, rather than to CHRIST, it is most sure that CHRIST will profit thee nothing; for the birth of CHRIST helps him nothing, who cares not to be born with CHRIST; and the death of CHRIST is nothing to him who has not determined to (lie unto sin. But if, with the prodigal son, you deplore, hate, and flee from sin as from a serpent, and dost pray from thy heart to obtain pardon of GOD, for the sake. of his beloved Son-then indeed, (and not before,) beholding by the eye of faith, JESUS CHRIST crucified, and applying to thyself his most precious wounds, you shall find pardon is at ~-hand; whatsoever, and how great soever, thy sins may be, which you has committed against God. And so perfect is the redemption purchased for thee by the blood of CHRIST; such the grace and real imputation of the whole merit of CHRIST by faith, as nothing can be greater or nobler. It is the good pleasure of GOD to exercise mercy, and to pardon sins freely. " My bowels are troubled within me towards them; I am merciful, and I will have mercy on them, says the Lord:"-for then the death of CHRIST is effectual; then it comes to perfection; and then it brings forth its fruits; and therefore do the angels of GOD in heaven rejoice, because the blood of CHRIST is become profitable to sinners, for whom it was shed.