The end of affliction is the discovery of sin, and of that to bring us to the Savior. Let us therefore, with the prodigal, return unto him, and we shall find ease and rest. A repenting penitent, though formerly as bad as the worst of men, may, by grace, become as good as the best.
To be truly sensible of sin, is to sorrow for displeasing of God; to be afflicted that he is displeased by us, more than that he is displeased with us. Your intentions to repentance, and the neglect of that soul-saving duty, will rise up in judgment against you. Repentance carries with it a divine rhetoric, and persuades Christ to forgive multitudes of sins committed against him.
Say not with yourself, "Tomorrow I will repent!" for it is your duty to do it daily.
The gospel of grace and salvation is above all doctrines the most dangerous, if it be received in word only by graceless men if it be not attended with a sensible need of a Savior, and bring them to him. For such men as have only the notion of it, are of all men most miserable for by reason of their knowing more than heathens, this only shall be their final portion, that they shall have greater stripes.
[John Bunyan]
Acts 2:38 … Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Luke 5:32 … I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Matthew 4:17 … From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.❤
