Chap. 42. An Expofition upon the Book of J O B. Verf.6. 847 Hence Obferve, Fourthly ; Open fins muff have open repentance. That's intended by repenting in duff and allies. We are not bound to repent openly of all our fins; but in in there two cafes we are. Firfl, When we have done any thing that bath openly di(honoured God. Secondly, When we have fcandalized or of- fended others. In thefe cafes we muff repent openly, fo far, that they who are concerned may have a teftimony of our repentance. WhenYob repented in duff and afhes, he (like thofe fervants of Benbadad,who came with ropes about theirnecks)teffified that he deferved to be thrown into the duff, or to be burnt to a(hes. We canneither edifie nor fatisfie fuch as are grieved by our fins,un- leCs our repentance be vifible, and we appear repenting. As the light (of our zeal) mutt fo Ihine before men, that they may fee our good works ; fo the light of our repentance muff fo Chine before men, that they may fee us humbled for, and turningfrom our evil works, andglorifieour father which is in heaven. Fifthly, Note ; We may tejiifieoar repentance byoutward figns. Here was not only the reality of repentance, but the ceremo- ny of ir. There are many outward figns of repentance fpoken of in Scripture : Such are, Fir(t, Smiting upon,the thigh; thus Ephraim is defcribed repenting (3erem. 31. a9.) Secondly, Smiting upon the breaft ;fo the Publican is defcribed repenting (Luker 8. r 3.) He fmote upon his breast, and faid, God be merci- ful tome a fanner. Thirdly, Laying afide our ornaments ; thus the Lord commanded the Israelites (Exod. ; 3. 5.) Put off tby ornaments from thee, that Imay know to do unto thee ; as if God had laid, humble thy feif openly and repent. Fourthly, The puttingon of rack cloth ; this the Jews were called to do (Ifa. 22. rz.) Fifthly, Holding down the head. The Pews (Ifa. 58. g.) were not reproved for doing that, but becaufe they did it like a bull-ru(h, only when a florin was upon them : Sixthly, Renting the garment, and walking foftly. So did Ahab (t Kings 21. 27.) Seventhly, as in the text Pb faith he did, fitting in duft and ashes. I do not fay thefe, or the like, are abfolutely necefla- ry to repentance, but they are lawful.,and have their ufe. When the
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