841 Chap.42. an Expofytion upon the Book,of J o D. Verf. 1, opening of the Gofpel in the new Teftatnent, was, Repentye,, for the Kingdom of heaven ie at band (Mat. 3. z.) And the end or defign of the firft Sacrament or Peal of the Gofpel- covenaar, is expreffed tobe repentance (Mat. 3. z r.) I baptize you with waterunto repentance; yea, the firfi word of the firft Sermon (upon record) which Chrift himfelf preached in perfon, was, Repent (Mar. 4. 17.) From that time efus began topreach, and to fay, repent. Tñis al o was the fubfianceof the Apottles Sermons, when firfl fent forth by Chrift to preach the Gofpel(Mark6.1z.) Theywent out andpreached, that menfhould repent. The firft word of counfel which the Apofile Peter gave to the fews, crying out, men and brethren, what fhall we do, was, Repent (ACts 2.38.) And the Apofile Paul faith, that the whole of his work in preach- ing the Gofpel, was his refiifying both 'to Jews and"Genriles, re- pentance toward God, and faith towardour Lord JefusChrig (Aa. 20. 21.) 'Tis through the Gofpel only, that repentance is pof- fible. And this appears two wages. Firff, Becaufe we have not a liberty to repent, or we are not admitted to repent, but by the Gofpel. We find no place for re- pentance in the Law flrictly taken, or as oppofed to the Gofpel. TheLaw fpeaks thus (Gal. 3. i o.) Curfed is every one that con- tinieeth not in all things, that are written in the book of the Law, to do them. Where we lee, pirfl, the Law requires perfonal obedi- ence; everyone mull do for himfelf. Secondly, The Law requires perpetual obedience, every one that continueth not doing. Thirdly, The Law requires univerfal obedience, every one that continueth not in allthings. If any one continue not at all times in all things (faith the Law) or if he fail but once in anyone thing, he is gone for ever, he is curfed. The Lawcloth not fay, if a man continue not to do all, let him repent ; that admits no fecond thoughts, but claps the curie prefently upon the offender. If Adam as foon as he had eatenof the forbidden tree, hadbewailed his fin, and Paid, I repent, no favour couldhave been (hewed him, while under the Law. Secondly, Linder the Law there is no ability given for repen- tance. All the promifes of a broken heart, sill of godly forrow, are appendants of the Gofpel: This fpiricual curfe which falls upon the foul finning under the Law, is impenitency for fin. D ach in fin, is the.punifhmcnt of fin; and therefore when Adam had finned,
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