Evidences of.

answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strewed: 27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. [Lk. 19: 20.]

Ac. 3: 19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.-16: 31 They said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.-26: 20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

Rom. 12: 2 Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.-13: 14 Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

2 Cor. 5: 20 We are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

Ep. 4: 22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind: 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Ep. 5: 14 Wherefore he saith, Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

Jam. 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners, and purify your hearts, ye double-minded. [See 183, 288, 606.]

602. Obedience to God, the evidence of regeneration.

Ps. 119: 6 Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.

Mat. 7: 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits: Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore, by their fruits ye shall know them. 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall

Evidences of.

enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Jn. 8: 47 He that is of God, heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.-13: 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.-14: 21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me. 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 24 He that loveth me not, keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.

Rom. 8: 9 If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 14 As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Jam. 2: 17 Faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 1 Jn. 2:3 Hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 6 He that saith he abideth in him, ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.—3: 14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother, abideth in death. 18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth. 19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. 24 And he that keepeth his commandments, dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us. -5: 1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat, loveth him also that is begotten of him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments; and his commandments are not grievous. 4 For whatsoever is born of God, overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. [See 186.]

432

Nature and Manifestations of.

REPENTANCE.

603. Nature and manifestations of repentance.

Job 42: 5 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee: 6 Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.

Ps. 38: 3 There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin. 4 For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me. 5 My wounds stink, and are corrupt because of my foolishness. 6 I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long. 7 For my loins are filled with a loathsome disease: and there is no soundness in my flesh. 8 I am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart. 9 Lord, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee. 10 My heart panteth, my strength faileth me: as for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone. 18 I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for sin. my -51: 3 I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.-119: 59 I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies. 60 I made haste, and

delayed not to keep thy commandments.

Ezk. 36: 31 Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall loathe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities, and for your abominations. [Ezk. 20: 43.]

Mat. 26: 75 Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

Lk. 15: 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.-18: 13 The publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

2 Cor. 7:9 I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.

Dignity of Effects of- Necessity of.

10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. [See 30, 124, 356-7.]

604. Moral dignity of true penitence for sin.

Is. 57: 15 Thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

Lk. 15:7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons which need no repentance. 21 The son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against Heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. 22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him. [See 672.]

605. Effects of repentance and godly sorrow.

2 Cor. 7: 11 Behold this self-same thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter. [See 602, 621.]

606. Repentance required — its necessity.

Ezk. 14: 6 Say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations.- -18: 30 I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.

Mat. 3: 1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, And saying, Repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.-4: 17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Lk. 13: 3 I tell you, Nay; but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

Ac. 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.-3: 19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing

Encouraged.

shall come from the presence of the Lord. - 8: 22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thy heart may be forgiven thee. - 17: 30 The times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent. - 20: 21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. - - 26: 20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

Rev. 2: 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. [Mk. 6: 12.] [See 357, 601.]

607. Repentance encouraged—promises.

2 Ch. 7: 14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Ps. 34: 18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. 51: 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. 147: 3 He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.

Is. 55: 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. -66: 2 All those things hath my hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

Hos. 6: 1 Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. 2 After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. 3 Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.

Joel 2: 12 Now, saith the LORD, Turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning. 13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.