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Chapter
VII.—An exhortation to repentance.
These things, beloved, we write unto
you, not merely to admonish you of your duty, but also to remind ourselves. For
we are struggling on the same arena, and the same conflict is assigned to both
of us. Wherefore let us give up vain and fruitless cares, and approach to the
glorious and venerable rule of our holy calling. Let us attend to what is good,
pleasing, and acceptable in the sight of Him who formed us. Let us look
stedfastly to the blood of Christ, and see how precious that blood is to God,35 which, having been shed for our
salvation, has set the grace of repentance before the whole world. Let us turn
to every age that has passed, and learn that, from generation to generation,
the Lord has granted a place of repentance to all such as would be converted
unto Him. Noah preached repentance, and as many as listened to him were saved.36 Jonah proclaimed destruction to the
Ninevites;37 but they, repenting of their sins,
propitiated God by prayer, and obtained salvation, although they were aliens
[to the covenant] of God
Chapter
VIII.—Continuation respecting repentance.
The ministers of the grace of God
have, by the Holy Spirit, spoken of repentance; and the Lord of all things has
himself declared with an oath regarding it, “As I live, saith the Lord, I
desire not the death of the sinner, but rather his repentance;”38 adding, moreover, this gracious
declaration, “Repent, O house of Israel, of your iniquity.39 Say to the children of My people, Though
your sins reach from earth to heaven, and though they be redder40 than scarlet, and blacker than
sackcloth, yet if ye turn to Me with your whole heart, and say, Father! I will
listen to you, as to a holy41 people.” And in another place He speaks
thus: “Wash you, and become clean; put away the wickedness of your souls from
before mine eyes; cease from your evil ways, and learn to do well; seek out
judgment, deliver the oppressed, judge the fatherless, and see that justice is
done to the widow; and come, and let us reason together. He declares, Though
your sins be like crimson, I will make them white as snow; though they be like
scarlet, I will whiten them like wool. And if ye be willing and obey Me, ye
shall eat the good of the land; but if ye refuse, and will not hearken unto Me,
the sword shall devour you, for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken these
things.”42 Desiring, therefore, that all His
beloved should be partakers of repentance, He has, by His almighty will,
established [these declarations].
Chapter
IX.—Examples of the saints.
Wherefore, let us yield obedience to
His excellent and glorious will; and imploring His mercy and loving-kindness,
while we forsake all fruitless labours,43 and strife, and envy, which leads to
death, let us turn and have recourse to His compassions. Let us stedfastly
contemplate those who have perfectly ministered to His excellent glory. Let us
take (for instance) Enoch, who, being found righteous in obedience, was
translated, and death was never known to happen to him.44 Noah, being found faithful, preached
regeneration to the world through his ministry; and the Lord saved by him the
animals which, with one accord, entered into the ark.
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