Chap. 442. AnExpofttionupon theBookof j o B. Verf. 6. finned, he nevergave the leafi intimation of, nor (hewed the leali inclination to repentance ; all he did, was to hide himfeif from God among the trees of the garden, and to hide his fin from God (as well as he could) by vain excufes; he had not a heart to mourn for hisfin,nor a tongue to confers ir, till the Promife came, and the Gofpel was publi(hed, and then (though his repentance benot mentioned, yet) doubtlefs he repented. And hence the Apoflleconcludes Apoftates from the profefliion which they once made of Chri(l, under anutter impoflibily of repentance (rieb. 6.4i ç, 6.) And the reafon why the fallen Angels never repent- ed, wasbecaufe they had noMediator, nor did jefus Chrifl take their nature onhim(Heb. 2. t6.) Thus far of the fist thing in the defcription of repentance, the general nature of it ; 'cisa grace of the Gofpel. Secondly,Confider the feat or fubjeet of it,where'cis wrought, the heart of á finnet. Repentance is heart-work,, or it is a work upon the heart: There repentance began in chofe converts (Alt. 2.37. )whom the Apo(lle Peter advifed to a thorough workof re- pentance (verf. 3 8.) The promife of repentance runs in chis re- flour, Iroill takeaway (faith the Lord, Exch. 36.26.) the heart of ftone out of yourfiefh, and give you an heart of f efh. When David faid (Pfal. çi. 17.) A broken and contrite heart (he means only a repenting heart) OGod thou wilt not defp;fe. As faith is wrought in the heart , and with the heart mar believeth (Rona. io. io.) fo repentance is wrought in the heart, and with the heart man repenteth. Neither a weeping eye, nor a confeffing tongue, nor (in cafeof wrong done to man) a ref#oring hand,will be taken for repentance,withouc abroken heart. Thirdly, Confider the means bywhich laving repentance, or repentance to falvation,is wrought. i(l.the Word;zly. the Spirit. The Word of God is the ufual, the ordinary inf}rument in the hand, that is, in the power of the Spirit of God, working repen- tance in the heart of man. The word of a Philofopher, with all his reafonings ; the word of anOrator, with all his flouri(hings, cannot do it : only the Word of God fpóken in plainnefs and . fimplicity, hath (}rength and efficacy to do it. The VVord is compared to a fire, which melts the harder} heart ; 'cis alfo in the fame place (ter. 23.29.) compared to a hammer, which breaketh the rockin pieces. The Word palling through the ear, Pp p pp pierceth 843
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