HenryWSC 87

Matthew Henry’s Westminster Shorter Catechism Commentary on Question 87

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Is true repentance, repentance unto life? Yes: God hath to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life,
Acts 11:18
. Is it a grace? Yes: If God peradventure will give them repentance,
2 Tim. 2:25
. Is it a saving grace? Yes: godly sorrow worketh repentance unto salvation,
2 Cor. 7:10
.
Is repentance required of every one of us? Yes: God commandeth all men everywhere to repent,
Acts 17:30
. Is it necessary to our pardon? Yes: for repentance and remission of sins are preached to all nations,
Luke 24:47
. Is it given to qualify us for pardon? Yes: God hath exalted his Son Christ Jesus, to give repentance and remission of sins,
Acts 5:3
. Can we be saved without it? No: Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish,
Luke 13:3
.
Is it necessary to repentance, that there be a sense of sin? Yes : Cause Jerusalem to know her abominations,
Ezek. 16:2
. Must there be an acknowledgment of sin? Yes: I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me,
Ps. 51:3
. Must we acknowledge the fact of sin? Yes: Thus and thus have I done,
Josh. 7:20
. And the fault? Yes: I have done this evil in thy sight,
Ps. 51:4
. And the folly of it? Yes: O God, thou knowest my foolishness,
Ps. 69:5
. Must we acknowledge the original of sin? Yes: Behold, I was shapen in iniquity,
Ps. 51:5
. Must we acknowledge ourselves odious to God’s holiness because of sin? Yes: Behold, I am vile,
Job 11:4
. And obnoxious to his justice? Yes: If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand,
Ps. 130:3
.
Must there be an apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ? Yes: there is forgiveness with thee that thou mayest be feared,
Ps. 130:4
. Must that invite us to repent? Yes: The goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance,
Rom. 2:4
. Is that evangelical repentance which flows from a hope of that mercy? Yes: Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand,
Matt. 3:2
. Can there be true repentance where there is a despair of mercy? No: Thou saidst there is hope; no, I have loved strangers, and after them will I go,
Jer. 2:25
. Have we reason to hope for that mercy? Yes: Turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy,
Isa. 55:7
.
Must there be contrition for sin? Yes: When they heard this, they were pricked to the heart,
Acts 2:37
. Must we turn from sin? Yes: Everyone mourning for his iniquities,
Ezek. 7:16
. Must we mourn greatly for sin? Yes: Peter went out and wept bitterly,
Matt. 26:75
. Must we mourn after a godly sort? Yes: Ye sorrowed according to God,
2 Cor. 7:9
,margin. Must we mourn for sin with an eye to Christ? Yes: They shall look on him whom they have pierced, and mourn,
Zech. 1:10
.
Must we hate sin? Yes: I hate every false way,
Ps. 119:128
. Must we loathe ourselves because of sin? Yes: I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes,
Job 42:6
. Must we be ashamed of ourselves before God? Yes: I am ashamed, and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God,
Ezra 9:6
. And must we humble ourselves greatly in his presence? Yes: as the publican that stood afar off; and would not lift up so much as his eyes to heaven,
Luke 18:13
.
Must we confess our sins? Yes: for he that covers his sins shall not prosper,
Prov. 28:13
. And must we aggravate them? Yes: I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
Luke 15:18
. And must we judge ourselves because of them? Yes: If we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged,
1 Cor. 11:31
. And must we cry earnestly to God for pardon in the blood of Christ be merciful to me a sinner,
Luke 18:13
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Must we turn from sin? Yes: Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions,
Ezek. 18:30
. From our own sin? Yes: Return ye now every one from his evil way,
Jer. 18:11
. And must we turn to God? Yes: If thou wilt return, O Israel, return unto me,
Jer. 4:1
. Are backsliders invited to return? Yes: Return ye backsliding children,
Jer. 3:22
. And should they accept the invitation? Yes: Behold, we come unto thee, for thou art the Lord our God,
Jer. 3:22
.
In repentance must there be a change of the mind? Yes: Make ye a new heart,
Ezek. 18:31
. Must there be a change of the way? Yes: Cease to do evil, learn to do well,
Isa. 1:16–17
. Must there be a full resolution against all sin? Yes: Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols,
Hos. 14:8
. And a full resolution of new obedience? Yes: The Lord our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey,
Josh. 24:24
. And must we be serious in our endeavours accordingly? Yes: Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance,
Matt. 3:8
.
HenryWSC 87