The Nature and Necessity of True Repentance # 3

The Nature and Necessity of True Repentance # 3

I have only two or three remarks more to make for the farther illustration of this subject.

1. The first is, that all the principles of degenerate human nature can never produce this sincere and thorough repentance - but that is the peculiar work of the Holy Spirit. Self-love, and the other low and slavish principles of human nature, may produce a servile, mercenary repentance, proceeding from the fears of punishment. But only the love of God, and the noble principles of the new nature, can bring you to a kindly, sincere repentance, from noble motives. And it is the Holy Spirit alone who can shed abroad the love of God in your hearts, and implant these sincere principles of the new nature.

2. The second remark is, that this sincere, supernatural repentance, is not the first repentance of an awakened sinner. No; he is first alarmed with terror and dreadful apprehensions of punishment; and all the springs of human nature are put in motion before these nobler principles are infused, and he is brought to a genuine evangelical repentance.

3. Thirdly, the only way to attain to this supernatural repentance is to reflect upon your sins, upon their number and aggravation, and your dreadful danger. While you are destitute of the love of God - let your self-love excite you to be sorry for your sins. While you cannot see at least the intrinsic evil of sin as against God, see at least the insupportable misery it will bring upon you. If you have not such sincere souls as to mourn over sin as against a sin-forgiving God, at least mourn over sin as against a sin-punishing God. And while the principles of nature are thus exerted - who knows but God may work in you diviner principles, and give you repentance unto life.

And now, let us get into APPLICATION of these principles.

1. "God commands all men to repent!" He commands you in various ways: commands you with motions of His Spirit striving with you; and by the voice of your own conscience, which is the of God; commands you by providence, which tends to lead you to repentance; and especially by His Gospel, which He has sent to you for this end. He now commands you by my mouth; for while I speak what His Word authorizes, it does not lose its efficacy, nor cease to be His Word by passing through my lips.

Dare you reject the known, express command of the divine Majesty? Would it not shock you, to set yourselves in opposition to so express and immediate a command of the God who made you? Well, His command to you in the Gospel is as real, as authoritative and binding, as an immediate voice from heaven!

And dare you disobey it? Dare you, with guilt, disobey a known command of the supreme Lord of heaven and earth? Dare you provoke Him to jealousy? Are you stronger than He? Can you harden yourselves against Him - and yet prosper? This day it is proclaimed in your ears, therefore this day repent. If you refuse to, let this conviction follow you home, and perpetually haunt you - that you have this day, knowingly disobeyed the great Gospel command. And to the great God you must answer for your disobedience!

2. In the next place, He commands all men to repent; all men, of all ranks and characters. This command, therefore, is binding upon everyone. The great God cries to you all, "Repent, Repent, young and old, rich and poor, white and black!! Repent, in short, God commands all men, kings and subjects, highest and lowest, and all the intermediate ranks to repent!

God commands men everywhere to repent. The call is universal. In the city, country, palaces and cottages; in Europe, Asia, Africa, and America. Repentance is a duty that extends as far as human nature, as far as the utmost boundaries of this guilty world. Wherever there are sinners under a dispensation of grace - there this command reaches. If you are men and women, if you dwell anywhere upon this guilty globe, you are included; for let me tell you once more, "God commands all men and women, everywhere, to repent!"

Nor hare you allowed to delay your compliance. Repentance is your present duty: "God commands all men everywhere to repent!" God will no longer "wink" at your impenitence - but takes strict notice of it with just indignation! Now, while the day of grace lasts, and there is place left for repentance - now before you are hardened through deceitfulness of sin and while His Spirit is striving with you! Now, and not tomorrow! Therefore, now, this moment, let us all repent! All, without exception. why should not repentance be as universal as sin? And, since we are all sinners, oh! why should we not all be humble penitents? Repent, you must either in time - or eternity; either upon earth - or in hell. You cannot possibly avoid it.

And this is the hard question? Does not common sense determine it in favor of the present time? Therefore, let the duty be as extensively observed as it is commanded: Let all men everywhere repent! Blessed God! pour out upon us a spirit of grace and supplication, that there may be a great mourning among us; that we may sincerely repent - and be eternally saved. Grant this for Jesus' sake! Amen

~Samuel Davies~

(The End)