The Westminster Confession of Faith:
Chapter 15
Chapter 15. Of Repentance unto Life.
1. Repentance unto life is an evangelical grace,a
the doctrine whereof is to be preached by every minister of the gospel,
as well as that of faith in Christ.b
a. Zec 12:10; Acts
11:18. • b. Luke 24:47; Mark 1:15; Acts 20:21.
2. By it a sinner, out of the sight and sense, not only
of the danger, but also of the filthiness and odiousness of his sins, as
contrary to the holy nature and righteous law of God, and upon the
apprehension of his mercy in Christ to such as are penitent, so grieves
for and hates his sins as to turn from them all unto God,a
purposing and endeavoring to walk with him in all the ways of his
commandments.b
a. Psa 51:4;
119:128; Isa 30:22; Jer 31:18-19; Ezek 18:30-31; 36:31; Joel 2:12-13;
Amos 5:15; 2 Cor 7:11. • b. 2 Kings 23:25; Psa 119:6, 59, 106;
Luke 1:6.
3. Although repentance be not to be rested in as any
satisfaction for sin, or any cause of the pardon thereof,a
which is the act of God's free grace in Christ;b yet is it of
such necessity to all sinners that none may expect pardon without it.c
a. Ezek 16:61-63;
36:31-32. • b. Hosea 14:2, 4; Rom 3:24; Eph 1:7. • c. Luke
13:3, 5; Acts 17:30-31.
4. As there is no sin so small but it deserves
damnation,a so there is no sin so great that it can bring
damnation upon those who truly repent.b
a. Mat 12:36; Rom
5:12; 6:23. • b. Isa 1:16, 18; 55:7; Rom 8:1.
5. Men ought not to content themselves with a general
repentance, but it is every man's duty to endeavor to repent of his
particular sins particularly.a
a. Psa 19:13; Luke
19:8; 1 Tim 1:13, 15.
6. As every man is bound to make private confession of
his sins to God, praying for the pardon thereof,a upon which,
and the forsaking of them, he shall find mercy;b so he that
scandalizeth his brother, or the Church of Christ, ought to be willing,
by a private or public confession and sorrow for his sin, to declare his
repentance to those that are offended,c who are thereupon to
be reconciled to him, and in love to receive him.d
a. Psa 32:5-6;
51:4-5, 7, 9, 14. • b. Prov 28:13; 1 John 1:9. • c. Psa 51
throughout; Josh 7:19; Luke 17:3-4; James 5:16. • d. 2 Cor
2:8.
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