844 Chap. 42. an Expofti®nupon the Book. of J o g. Verf. 6; pierceth the heart (AEEs 2. 27.) Nowwhen they beard this, they werepricked in their heart. And when, even the devils Devotio- nifis, they that ufed carious arts, burnt their books (A&s 19. 19.) it is faid (verf. 2o,) fo mightily grew the word of God and prevailed. The word of God cloached with the Spirit, (bath (as to this matter) a fourfold operation. Firfl, to awaken a drowfie foul (Eph, 5. 14.) Secondly, to enlighten a dark foul (AEEs x6.18,) Thirdly, to convince a gain-raying foul. Fourthly, to convert a wandring foul (ACE, 26.18. 1 Thef. h9.) Till the foul is awa- kened, it cannot be enlightned ; till it is enlightned, it cannot be convinced ; till it is convinced, it cannot be converted ; and until it is all this, it bath not truly repented. For, Fourthly, (as was Paid in the defcription firfl laid down) the effe& of true repentance, is the turning of the whole man from all fin to God. All the members of the body, the hand, the foot, the eyes,, the ears, the tongue, are turned ; all the faculties of the foul, the underfianding, will, affe&ions, are turned from all fin Firfi, of what kind foever, whether of omiflìon or commit Pion again(i God, neighbour, felf. Secondly, of what degree fo- ever ;liccle,as well as great ; appearances of evil,as well as appa- rent evils. Further, as in repentance there is a turning from fin, fo unto God, in the fincere obedience of his whole will. We read in Scripture, Firfi, of Gods returning tous ; Secondly, of our re- turning toGod : both are as of repentance. When God returns tous, he repents of the evil of troublebroughr, or threatned to be brought upon us ; and when we return to God, that'sa fruit of our repentance, for the evil of fin committed againff him. Unlefs our repentance bringus neerer to God, we (as we fay) are never the veer for our repentance ; that is, our repentance is not good,. nor (hail we have any good by k. The Prophet found Ifraels re- pentance defe&ive in this (Fiof. 7. r 6.) They retitrn, but not to the moft high, Some in repenting, returnonly to felf ; that is, their own peace, interefi and advantage, is all that moves them to it,, or is deigned and aimed at by them in it ; they mind not the glory of God, nor his reparation in honour, which bath been by their fin greatly impaired. The Lord was downright with Ifrael inthis (f er. 4. a.) If thouwilt return, O Ifrael, faith the Lord, return onto me; intimating, that Ifrael ufed to make forcekind of repenting
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