3. The third deceit about repentance is leaving many sinful ways alone
Death, and Hell followed with him" (Rev 6.8). What will a sinner not do, what vows will he not make, when he knows he must die and stand before the judgment-seat? Self-love raises a sickbed vow, and love of sin will prevail against it. Do not trust to a passionate resolution; it is raised in a storm and it will die in a calm.
3. The third deceit about repentance is leaving many sinful ways alone It is a great matter, I confess, to leave sin. So dear is sin to a man that he would rather part with a child than with a lust: "Shall I give the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?" (Mic 6.7). Sin may be parted with, yet without repentance.
(1) A man may part with some sins and keep others, just as Herod reformed many things that were amiss but could not leave his incest.
(2) An old sin may be left in order to entertain a new one, just as you dismiss an old servant to take another. This is exchanging a sin.
Sin may be exchanged and yet the heart remain unchanged. One who was a prodigal in his youth becomes a usurer in his old age. A slave is sold to a Jew; the Jew sells him to a Turk. Here the master is changed, but he is still a slave. So a man moves from one vice to another but still remains a sinner.
(3) A sin may be left not so such from strength of grace as from reasons of prudence. A man sees that although such a sin is for his pleasure, it is not for his interest. It will eclipse his credit, prejudice his health, and impair his estate. Therefore, for prudential reasons, he dismisses it.
True leaving of sin is when the acts of sin cease because of the infusion of a principle of grace, just as it ceases to be dark when there is an infusion of light.
Chapter Three
3. THE NATURE OF TRUE REPENTANCE
(1) I shall next show what gospel repentance is. Repentance is a grace of God's Spirit whereby a sinner is inwardly humbled and visibly reformed. For a further amplification, know that repentance is a spiritual medicine made up of six special ingredients:
1. Sight of sin 2. Sorrow for sin 3. Confession of sin 4. Shame for sin 5. Hatred for sin 6. Turning from sin