“Jesus began to preach, and to say, ‘Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.'”

Matt 4:17

“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out…”

Acts 3:19

“Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.”

Acts 5:31

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Subsection

Reformed vs. Aquinas

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Order of Contents

Articles  20+
Books  3
Quotes  5
Latin & French  40+

Definition  1
Mere External Repentance: Not Repentance  1
Difference between Repentance & Faith  1
Relation of Repentance to Faith & Justification  18+
New Obedience  3

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Articles

1500’s

Zwingli, Ulrich – ‘Repentance’  in Commentary on True & False Religion  eds. Jackson & Heller  (1525; Labyrinth Press, 1981), pp. 131-37

Calvin, John

18. ‘Repentance & Regeneration’  in Instruction in Faith (1537)  tr. Paul T. Fuhrman  (Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1949), pp. 42-44

5. ‘Of Penitence’  in Institutes of the Christian Religion: 1541 French Edition  tr. Elsie A. McKee  (1541; Eerdmans, 2009), pp. 271-318

3. ‘Regeneration by Faith.  Of Repentance’  in Institutes of the Christian Religion  tr. Henry Beveridge  (1559; Edinburgh: Calvin Translation Society, 1845), vol. 2, bk. 3, pp. 149-82

Bullinger, Henry

2^nd Sermon, ‘Of Repentance & the Causes thereof; of Confession & Remission of Sins; of Satisfaction & Indulgences; of the Old & New Man; of the Power or strength of men, and the other things pertaining repentance’  in The Decades  ed. Thomas Harding  (Cambridge: Parker Society, 1850), vol. 3, 4^th Decade, pp. 55-114

13. ‘Of Repentance & Confession’  in Questions of Religion Cast Abroad in Helvetia [Switzerland] by the Adversaries of the Same, & Answered…  tr. John Coxe  (1560; London, 1572), pp. 108-16

Vermigli, Peter Martyr – The Common Places…  (d. 1562; London: Henrie Denham et al., 1583), pt. 3

ch. 8. ‘Of Repentance, of Contrition, Confession & Satisfaction’, pp. 203-27
‘Of Tears’  in ch. 10, ‘Of Teares, Fasting & Watchings, being the Outward Exercises of Repentance…’, pp. 245-47

Musculus, Wolfgang – Common Places of the Christian Religion  (1560; London, 1563)

‘Repentance’  214.b

What repentance is  214.b
Of whence new repentance does come  215.a
What be the parts of repentance  215.b
Of confession of sins out of holy Scriptures  216.a
Of the Popish confession, which men call ‘auricular’  216.b
The beginning of auricular confession  218.b
What is the efficacy of true repentance  219.b
What the necessity of repentance is  220.b

Becon, Thomas – 4. ‘Of Repentance’  in Prayers & Other Pieces by Thomas Becon  (d. 1567; Cambridge: Parker Society, 1844), The Principles of Christian Religion, pp. 506-7

Becon (c. 1511-1567) was an Anglican reformer, clergyman and a chaplain to Thomas Cranmer.  He was initially significantly influenced by Luther, and then Zwingli.

Viret, Pierre – A Christian Instruction…  (d. 1571; London: Veale, 1573)

The Sum of the Principal Points of the Christian Faith

44. Of the Penance & Sanctification of the Christians, & of the True Original of the Same, & of All Good Works  45-47

A Familiar Exposition of the Principal Points of the Catechism

14^th Dialogue

Of Repentance by the which the preaching of the Gospel must be begun

How that True Repentance cannot be well preached without joining of the doctrine of the law and the Gospel together

How that True Repentance cannot be without faith

Of the True & False faith and repentance

19^th Dialogue, What Difference there is between true & perfect repentance, faith and charity

Zanchi, Girolamo – ch. 18. ’Of Repentance’  in Confession of the Christian Religion…  (1586; Cambridge, 1599), pp. 142-46

Ursinus, Zachary – 2. In what the conversion of the godly differs from the repentance of the wicked  in The Sum of Christian Religion: Delivered…  in his Lectures upon the Catechism…  tr. Henrie Parrie  (Oxford, 1587), Of Conversion

Beza, Theodore, Anthony Faius & Students – 40. ‘Concerning Repentance’  in Propositions & Principles of Divinity Propounded & Disputed in the University of Geneva by Certain Students of Divinity there, under Mr. Theodore Beza & Mr. Anthony Faius…  (Edinburgh: Waldegrave, 1591), pp. 100-104

Perkins, William

21. Of Repentance inA Reformed Catholic…  ([Cambridge] 1598)

A Golden Chain (Cambridge: Legat, 1600)

39. Of Repentance & the Fruits Thereof
Appendices

Consolations for the Troubled Consciences of Repentant Sinners
A Song gathered out of the Psalms, containing the Sobs & Sighs of All Repentant Sinners
Of the Nature & Practice of Repentance

To the Reader
1. What repentance is  738
2. Of the causes of repentance
3. How repentance is wrought
4. Of the parts of repentance
5. Of the degrees of repentance
6. Of the persons which must repent
7. Of the practice of repentance

A Direction for Examination of the Conscience
Sins directly against the Gospel

8. Of legal motives to repentance
9. Of motives evangelical
10. Of the time of repentance
11. Of Certain Cases in Repentance

1. Of a revolt
2. Of falling into the same grievous sin
3. Of restitution
4. Of tears
5. Of death

12. Of the contraries to repentance
13. Of corruptions in the doctrine of repentance 761-62

sect. 4, Repentance  in The Whole Treatise of the Cases of Conscience…  (Cambridge: Legat, 1606), bk. 1, ch. 5, What must a man do, that he may come into God’s favor and be saved?

Rollock, Robert – A Treatise of Effectual Calling  (1603)  in Select Works of Robert Rollock…  (d. 1599; Edinburgh, 1849), vol. 1

34. ‘Repentance’  238-46
35. ‘The Repentance of the Reprobate’  246-48
36. ‘Popish Doctrine of Repentance’  248-52

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1600’s

Bucanus, William – 30. ‘Of Repentance’  in Institutions of Christian Religion...  (London: Snowdon, 1606), pp. 309

From whence is repentance derived?
How many ways is the term ‘repentance’ used?
What is repentance taken synecdochically?
What signifies this word ‘repentance’ secondarily?
How many are the parts of this general repentance?
What think you of this division?
Whether of these goes before, faith or repentance?
Which is the third signification of repentance?
What manner of thing is it?
What call you conversion or turning to God?
What is the efficient cause of repentance?
Is repentance the effect of the preaching of the Law or of the Gospel?
But which is the antecedent, inward, immediate, and nearest cause of repentance?
Which are the principal causes of repentance, i.e. what things ought to provoke us to the hastening of our repentance?
How many parts are there of repentance, or regeneration?
Is it finished in any short space?
Which is the subject, to whom repentance belongs, or, whose is repentance?
Does repentance befall God Himself?
What is the subject of repentance, wherein it is?
What is the object whereabout repentance is conversant?
Which is the fourth signification of repentance?
Of how many sorts is this repentance?
Which is that which is ordinary?
Are we to reckon up all our sins?
Which is special or extraordinary repentance?
Of how many sorts is it?
What is meant by common extraordinary repentance?
What is private extraordinary repentance?
What were the parts of this repentance?
What was contrition?
What was confession?
What was satisfaction?
Is not Nebuchadnezzar in Dan. 4:24 commanded to redeem his sins by righteousness and by mercy toward the poor?
Are not the sufferings of the godly satisfactions and recompences for sin?
What is the end of repentance?
What are the fruits or effects of repentance?
What is the use of repentance?
What things are contrary to repentance?

Alsted, Johann H. – 15. ‘Repentance’  in Polemical Theology, exhibiting the Principal Eternal Things of Religion in Navigating Controversies, pt. 2, 4-6 (Partial)  tr. by AI by Onku  (Hanau, 1620; 1627), pt. 2, 2. A Major catholic Symphony: Theological Common Places, pp. 50-53  Latin

Welch, John – ‘On Repentance’ Sermons 3-10 on Rev. 2  in 48 Select Sermons  (†1622)

Walaeus, Anthony – 32. ‘On Repentance’  in Synopsis of a Purer Theology: Latin Text & English Translation  Buy  (1625; Brill, 2016), vol. 2, pp. 276-304

Case, Thomas – [Untitled Sermon]  in Farewell Sermons of Some of the Most Eminent of the Nonconformist Ministers…  (London: 1816), pp. 43-60  Of special sins in need of repentance and on doing the ‘first works’.

Clarkson, David – ‘Of Repentance’  on Lk. 13:3  in The Practical Works  (Edinburgh: James Nichol, 1864), vol. 1, pp. 16-62

Goodwin, Thomas – On Repentance: 2 Sermons  in Works  (d. 1680; Edinburgh, 1861), vol. 7, pp. 543-76

Bridge, William – ‘Evangelical Repentance in Two Sermons’ (1645-1646)  in Works  (London: Tegg, 1845), vol. 4, pp. 425-65

Witsius, Herman – ch. 11, ‘Whether repentance precedes the remission of sins? [Yes]’  in Conciliatory or Irenical Animadversions on the Controversies Agitated in Britain: under the Unhappy Names of Antinomians & Neonomians  (1696; Glasgow, 1807), pp. 119-22

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1700’s

Boston, Thomas

Works  ed. M’Millan  (Aberdeen: King, 1848), vol. 6

Question 3, ‘Whether or Not Repentance be Necessary in order to the Obtaining of the Pardon of Sin?’  76-99
‘The Necessity of Repentance’  377-449
”The Danger of Delaying Repentance’  449-68
‘The Extraordinary Case of the Thief on the Cross No Argument for Delaying Repentance’  in Miscellaneous Questions  468-81

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1800’s

Colquhoun, John – A View of Evangelical Repentance from the Sacred Records  Buy  (1825)

‘The Difference Between True & Counterfeit Repentance’  8 points in 37 paragraphs

‘A Word to the Impenitent’  7 points in 10 paragraphs

‘The Fruits & Evidences of True Repentance’  10 points in 14 paragraphs

Buchanan, James – New Birth Repentance & Faith  in The Office & Work of the Holy Spirit  (1847)  10 paragraphs

Hodge, Charles – ‘Faith & Repentance’  in Way of Life, chs. 6 & 7

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1900’s

Berkhof, Louis – Conversion  in Systematic Theology  (1950), 31 paragraphs

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2000’s

Beeke, Joel – ‘Escape for Your Life’  condensed from a sermon preached on Sept. 16th  (2011)  16 paragraphs

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Books

1500’s

Perkins, William – A Faithful & Plain Exposition upon the 2nd Chapter of Zephaniah…  containing a powerful exhortation to repentance: as also the manner how men in repentance are to search themselves  (d. 1602; London: T.C., 1609)  143 pp.  ToC

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1600’s

Watson, Thomas – The Doctrine of Repentance  (London: 1668)  175 pp.  ToC

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1800’s

Colquhoun, John – A View of Evangelical Repentance from the Sacred Records  (Edinburgh: Thomsons, 1825)  210 pp.  ToC

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Quotes

1600’s

Archibald Symson

Heptameron, The Seven Days: That is, Meditations & Prayers upon thw work of the Lord’s Creation, together with other Certain Prayers & Meditations...  (St. Andrews, 1621), p. 3

“I will condemn myself, that You may absolve me.  I will have my sins before my eyes, that You may cast them behind your back.  I will remember them, that You may forget them.  I will repent of them and You will forgive them…  I am content that I am shamed, if thereby honor comes to you that You may be just when you speak and pure when You judge.”

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Thomas Watson

The Doctrine of Repentance, Useful for These Times  (London: Printed by R.W. for Thomas Parkhurst, 1668), pp. 77-78

“There are two sorts of persons who will find it harder to repent than others:

1. Such as have sat a great while under the droppings of God’s ordinances, but grow no better. The earth which drinketh in the rain, yet beareth thorns and briars, is nigh unto cursing (Heb. 6.8). The metal which hath lain long in the fire, but is not melted and refined, there is little hope of it. When God hath sent his ministers one after another, exhorting and persuading men to leave their sins, but they settle upon the lees of formality, and can sit and sleep under a sermon; it will be hard for these ever to be brought to repentance; they may fear lest Christ should say to them as once to the fig-tree, Never fruit grow on thee more.

2. They will find it harder to repent, who have sinned frequently against the convictions of the Word, the checks of conscience, and the motions of the Spirit. Conscience has stood as the angel, with a flaming sword in its hand; it has said, ‘Do not this great evil;’ but sinners regard not the voice of conscience, but march on resolvedly under the Devil’s colors: these will not find it easy to repent (Job 24.13). They are of those that rebel against the light. It is one thing to sin for want of light, and another thing to sin against light.  Here the unpardonable sin takes its rise; first men sin against the light of conscience, and so proceed gradually to the despighting the Spirit of grace.”

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Thomas Brooks

“Repentance is the vomit of the soul.”

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Richard Baxter

Richard Baxter on Worship & Catholicity against Separatism & John Owen  (1684; RBO, 2024), pp. 74-75

“The truth is, repentance is so hard a work that I see both extremes fly from it on a proud pretense of constancy and that they may not confess that they have erred.  It was the grand argument that bore down me and others when we pleaded with some bishops to have prevented our divisions by some alterations, “Oh then it will be thought that we erred and gave cause for old complaints.”…

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1800’s

John ‘Rabbi’ Duncan

“We…  have cause to fear, not that the kingdom of God should become extinct, but lest it should be taken from us, and given to a nation that would bring forth the fruits of it.”

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2000’s

Edward Feser

Immortal Souls: a Treatise on Human Nature  Ref  (Editiones Scholastica, 2024), pt. 4, ch. 10, p. 481

“For Aquinas, a necessary condition for repentance is the recognition of a higher good the realization of which is frustrated by the action of which one repents (Of Evil, quest. 3, art. 13).

He compares this to correcting an intellectual error by reasoning back to first principles (an example of which would be the law of non-contradiction).  If one is correct about which principles are truly first, then rectifying the error is possible.  But if one is incorrect about that, rectifying an error is far more difficult, because one will not have anything more fundamental to appeal to in order to correct one’s mistake about which principles are truly first.  Similarly, if one correctly understands which ultimate end will conduce to human happiness, repentance of sin will be much easier than if one is wrong about the ultimate end.”

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Latin

As repentance was often treated under the common place of penance, in contrast to it, while going by the same term poenitentia, see the Latin works on the Penance page.

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1500’s

Bucer, Martin – On Mt. 4:17  in Continual Expositions of the Four Holy Evangelists, in which are Interspersed Pure Theological Common Places  (Herwagen, 1527; 1553), fol. 33.b

Bullinger, Henry

A Compendium of Christian Religion (1556; Zurich, 1598), bk. 6, ‘Of Faith, the Gospel & Repentance’, pp. 68.b-94

ch. 19, ‘Of the preaching of repentance, and in what way a sinner converts himself to God?’  91.b-93
ch. 20, ‘What then is the Christian life, but even repenting?’  93

14. ‘Of Repentance & the Conversion of Man’ in A Simple Confession & Exposition of the Orthodox Faith & Catholic Doctrines of the Sincere Christian Religion  (1566; Bern, 1676), pp. 37-42

Ramus, Petrus – 8. ‘Of the Remission of Sins, Against the Allowing of Part of the Prerogatives of the Law, Where is Treated of Repentance’  in Commentary on the Christian Religion  (1572; Frankfurt, 1576; 1594), bk. 3, ‘Of Prayer’, pp. 236-44

Szegedin Pannonius, Stephan – ‘Of Repentance [Poenitentia]’  in Common Places of Pure Theology, of God & Man, Explained in Continuous Tables & the Dogma of the Schools Illustrated  (Basil, 1585/93), II.  Of Man, Things of Piety which are Required from Men, pp. 277-80

Aretius, Benedict – Locus 37, ‘On Repentance [Poenitentia]’  in Sacred Problems of Theology: Common Places of the Christian Religion Methodically Explicated  (Geneva, 1589; Bern, 1604), pp. 112-14

Polanus, Amandus

An Enchiridion of Theological Common Places, Things, Examples, & Sacred Phrases Collected out of the Thesaurus of Augustine Marlorat, the Storehouse of Christoph Obenheim & Isaac L. Feguernikino Ungaro  5th ed.  (Basil, no date; 1589; 1596)

‘Poenitentiam’ & ‘Poenitentiae’  498-99
‘Resipiscentia’  514

39. ‘Of the Gift of Repentance [Resipiscentiae]’ in The Divisions of Theology Framed according to a Natural Orderly Method  (Basil, 1590; Geneva, 1623), bk. 1, pp. 139-44

cols. 3017-29  in ch. 37, ‘Of Regeneration’  in A System of Theology  (Hanau, 1609; 1615), vol. 2, bk. 6

Piscator, Johannes

Locus 12, ‘Of Repentance [Poenitentia]: wherein is the Christian Life & the Bearing of the Cross’  in Theological Common Places, Exposited in Brief Thoughts, or Aphorisms of Christian Doctrine, the Greater Part of which are Excerpts from the Institutes of Calvin  (Herborne, 1589; 1605), pp. 77-85

Locus 14, ‘Of Repentance [Poenitentia]’  in Theological Theses  (Herborn, 1606-1607), vol. 1, pp. 246-54

Locus 12, ‘Of Repentance [Poenitentia]’  in A Forest of Sayings & Examples out of Sacred Scripture by which Christian Doctrine in Common Places are Distributed & Confirmed  (Herborn, 1621), pp. 48-49

Zanchi, Girolamo – Locus 9. ‘Of Repentance [Poenitentia]’  in A Compendium of Principal Heads of Christian Doctrine  in Works, vol. 8  (Geneva, 1649), col. 760-65

Pelargus, Christoph – Disputation 3 out of the 12^th Article of the Augsburg Confession, ‘On Repentance [Poenitentia]’  in Theological Disputations, which are in 8 Decades of Holy Disputations not contained in the First Edition, held in the Academy of Frankfurt  (Hartmann, 1596/1603), vol. 2, 4^th Decade, pp. 110-17

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1600’s

Pareus, David – Theological Collections of Universal Orthodox Theology, where also All of the Present Theological Controversies are Clearly & Variously Explained  (1611/1620), vol. 1

Collection 2, Disputation 28, ‘Appendix on Regeneration & Repentance [Poenitentia], containing the False Dogmas of the Council of Trent, the Roman Catechism and the same of Bellarmine’  (1601)  260-64  The whole disputation is quotes documenting the false assertions of Romanists on the subject.

Collection 7, Disputation 12, ‘On Repentance [Resipiscentia]’  (1607)  679-81

Collection 8, Disputation 13, ‘On Penance [Poenitentia] or Repentance [Resipiscentia]’  (1608)  726-29

Junius, Francis – 34. ‘On Repentance [Resipiscentia]’  in Select Smaller Theological Works  ed. Abraham Kuyper (Amsterdam, 1882), pp. 209-13

Bachoff, Reinhard – ‘Of Repentance [Poenitentia]’  in Question 89, ‘What is the Mortification of the Old Man’  in Catechism of the Christian Religion, which is Taught in the Churches & Schools of the Palitinate  (Hanau, 1603), pp. 371-38

Alsted, Johann H.

9.‘On Repentance [Poenitentia]’ in A Lexicon of Theology, in which the Terms of Holy Theology are Clearly Explained in a Series of Common Places  (Prostat, 1612), pp. 242-49

Polemical Theology, Exhibiting the Principal Eternal Things of Religion in Navigating Controversies  (Hanau, 1620; 1627)

Part 2, A catholic Symphony, 2. A Major catholic Symphony: Theological Common Places

Locus 15, ‘Of Repentance [Poenitentia]’  206-8

Part 4, Controversies with the Romanists

Section 4, ‘Of Repentance [Poenitentia] & Indulgences’  502-13

23.‘On Repentance [Poenitentia]’ in Logical Theology  (1625), pp. 84-85

ch. 21, ‘Repentance’  in Distinctions through Universal Theology, taken out of the Canon of the Sacred Letters & Classical Theologians  (Frankfurt: 1626), pp. 94-97

29.‘Of Repentance [Poenitentia]’ in Theological Questions Briefly Set Forth & Exposited  (Frankfurt, 1627), pp. 216-220

ch. 12, ‘On Repentance’  in Theological Common Places Illustrated by Perpetual Similitudes  (Frankfurt, 1630), pp. 65-70

Gomarus, Arminius, Trelcatius, Jr. – 25. ‘Of Repentance [Resipiscentia]’  in A System of Theological Disputations, in the Academy at Lugduni-Batava  (Rotterdam, 1615), pp. 255-63

Mylius, Conrad – Lord’s Day 35, out of Q. 88 ff., ‘Saving Repentance [Poenitentia], true medicine of the soul’  in Catechetical Essays, or Homilies in the Heidelberg Catechism  (Hanau, 1618), pp. 776-805

Scharp, John – 23. ‘Of Repentance [Poenitentia]’  in A Course of Theology, in which all the Dogmas & Controversies of Faith Agitated in this Generation between us and Papists are handled one by one & the Arguments of Bellarmine are Responded to  (Geneva, 1620), vol. 1, cols. 1152-1230

Walaeus, Antonius – All the Works  2 vols. combined  (d. 1639; Leiden: Hackius, 1643)

vol. 1

A Manual of the Reformed Religion

35. ‘Of Repentance [Poenitentia]’  76-78

Common Places

18. ‘Of Repentance [Resipiscentia]’  431-32

vol. 2, Miscellanea, Disputations, 7. ‘Of Repentance [Resipiscentia]’  341-45

Voet, Gisbert

5. Of Repentance, Penance, etc.  in Syllabus of Theological Problems  (Utrecht, 1643), pt. 1, section 2, tract 3   Abbr.

7. ‘Of Repentance [Poenitentia] & the Restoration of the Excommunicated’  in Ecclesiastical Politics  (Amsterdam, 1663-1676), vol 4, bk. 4, Tract 3, Of Excommunication, pp. 930-36

ch. 5, ‘Of the Practice of Repentance [Resipiscentia] and its actions, or three parts: 1. Humiliation, 2. Reconciliation, 3. Renovation, that is new obedience and the promise, exciting and presenting of gratitude’  in Two Tracts: One…  of the Exercise of Piety...  (Gorinchem: Paul Vink, 1679), pp. 157-222

pp. 157-59 contain a bibliography on repentance and penance.

Forbes, John – 12. ‘Repentance, & some Connected Questions contra the Errors of the Gnostics, the Most Blessed, the Libertines, Novatians, the Papists, etc.’  in Historical & Theological Instructions on Christian Doctrine, the Varied State of Things, on the Errors & Controversies that have Arisen…  (Amsterdam, 1645), pp. 625-70

Alting, J. Henricus

Article 12, ‘On Repentance’  in A Logical & Theological Exegesis of the Augsburg Confession with an Appendix of the Problems Involved  (Amsterdam, 1647), pp. 78-83

Locus 16, ‘The Gift of Repentance [Resipiscentiae] & Faith by Effectual Calling’  in A Method of Didactic Theology  (Amsterdam, 1656; 1662), pp. 98-106

16. ‘Of Internal Calling, & that which depends on it: Repentance & Faith’ in A New Problematic Theology, or a System of Theological Problems  (Amsterdam, 1662), pp. 698-715

Maresius, Samuel

sections 1-38  in Locus 13, ‘Of Repentance & Christian Liberty’  in A Theological Collection, or, a Brief System of Universal Theology, Comprehending Eighteen Disputations Held in Gronigen  2nd ed.  (Groningen, 1649), pp. 185-94

Controversy 23, ‘Of Repentance [Poenitentia]’  in A New Synopsis of Elenctic Theology  (1646-1647), pp. 769-818

ch. 4. ‘Of Repentance [Poenitentia]’  in The Hydra of Socinianism Expunged  (Groningen, 1651), vol. 2, bk. 4, pp. 479-89

Chamier, Daniel – A Body of Theology, or Theological Common Places  (Geneva, 1653), bk. 5, pp. 243-46

bk. 5, ch. 21, ‘Of Repentance [Poenitentia]’  243-46
bk. 7, ‘Of Repentance [Poentitentia]’  in ch. 9, ‘Of the Number of Sacraments’  389-92

Hottinger, Johann H. – Locus 16, ‘Of the Gift of Repentance & Faith by Effectual Calling’  in Theological Courses in the Method of Alting, not only by his definitions being propounded and the ordinary places of Scripture confirmed, but by the continuous canons being illustrated…  (Heidelberg, 1660), pp. 408-39

Du Moulin, Pierre – 63. Pt. 3, ‘Of the Differences of Law & Gospel, & is Faith & Repentance Imposed by the Moral Law?’  in A Collection of the Theological Disputations held at Various Times in the Academy of Sedan  (Geneva, 1661), vol. 1, pp. 551-58

Hoornbeek, Johannes – Practical Theology  (Utrecht, 1663; 1689), vol. 1, bk. 6

5. ‘Of Repentance [Poentitentia]’  623-38
11. ‘Of Repentance [Resipiscentia]’  677-85

Cocceius, Johannes – 45. ‘Of Repentance [Resipiscentia]’  in A Sum of Theology Rehearsed out of the Scriptures  (Geneva, 1665), pp. 452-56

Burman, Francis – ch. 9, ‘Of Repentance [Resipiscentia]’  in A Synopsis of Theology, and especially of the Economy of the Covenant of God…  (Utrecht, 1671), vol. 2, bk. 6, locus 39, pp. 246-66

Braun, Johannes – The Doctrine of the Covenants, or A System of Didactic & Elenctic Theology  (Amsterdam, 1691), pt. 3, loci 12 & 14

12. ‘Of Repentance [Resipiscentia]’ 337-41
16. ‘Of the Necessary Powers unto the Repentance of the Covenant of Grace, & of the Freedom of Choice’ 369-86

à Marck, Johannes – ch. 22, ‘The Duties of the Covenant of Grace: Faith & Repentance’  in A Compendium of Christian Theology, Didactic & Elenctic  (Amsterdam, 1696; 1722), pp. 446-68

Heidegger, Johann H. – Marrow of Christian Theology: an Introductory Epitome of the Body of Theology  (d. 1698; Zurich, 1713)

Locus 11, ‘Of the Covenant of Grace’, sections 16-17, ‘Of the Commandment of Faith & Repentance’, p. 240

Locus 20, ‘Of the Economy of the Covenant of Grace Under the Gospel’, sections 11-16, ‘Of the Law of the Gospel:  Faith & Repentance’, pp. 103-6

Locus 23, ‘Of the Grace of Sanctification’, sections 11-22, ‘Of Repentance’, pp. 204-8

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1700’s

Spanheim, Sr., Frederic – Doubts 1-17  ToC  in Gospel Doubts…  (1639; Geneva, 1700), vol. 3, pp. 1-36

Rodolph, Johann R. – 9. ‘Of Repentance [Resipiscentia], Fasting, Prayer & Alms-deeds’  in Christian Theology…  (Bern, 1714), Christian Theology, bk. 2, ‘Of the Execution of the Special Divine Counsel in the Government of Men by the Covenant of Grace’, pp. 202-13

Vitringa, Sr., Campegius – The Doctrine of the Christian Religion, Summarily Described through Aphorisms  (d. 1722), vol. 3, ch. 14, ‘Of Faith & Repentance’

Of Repentance  99-104
Of the Names of Repentance  105-106
Of the Aching of Sin  107-114
Of the Parts of Repentance  115-121

De Moor, Bernard – sections 27-32, ‘Repentance [Resipiscentia]’  ToC  in A Continuous Commentary on John Marck’s Compendium of Didactic & Elenctic Christian Theology  (Leiden, 1761-71), vol. 4, ch. 22, ‘Of the Offices of the Covenant of Grace, even Faith & Repentance’, pp. 405-39

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French

Book

1600’s

Rivet, Andrew – Exhortations to Repentance & Recognition…  Also, unto Perseverance in the Profession of the Truth of Christ  (Leiden: Elzevirs, 1632)  288 pp.  no ToC

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Definition of Repentance unto Life

Westminster Confession 15.2

“By it [repentance unto life] a sinner, out of the sight and sense, not only of the danger, but also of the filthiness and odiousness of his sins, as contrary to the holy nature and righteous law of God, and upon the apprehension of his mercy in Christ to such as are penitent, so grieves for and hates his sins, as to turn from them all unto God,[c] purposing and endeavouring to walk with him in all the ways of his commandments.[d]

[c] Ezek. 18:30,31. Ezek. 36:31. Isa. 30:22. Ps. 51:4. Jer. 31:18,19. Joel 2:12,13. Amos 5:15. Ps. 119:128. 2 Cor. 7:11
[d] Ps. 119:6,59,106. Luke 1:6. 2 Kings 23:25″

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Mere External Repentance is No Repentance

Samuel Rutherford

A Free Disputation Against Pretended Liberty of Conscience…  (1649), ch. 27, ‘Whether our Darkness & Incapacity to Believe…’, p. 323 (356)

“([Margin Note:] The Magistrate commands the outward man, and yet commands not sin and carnal repentance)

The sword produces no repentance at all, for external repentance is no repentance either in name or thing.  The Lord commands indeed external repentance, but precepts are not given to the outward man, as to the adequate and proper object of the commandment of God.”

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On the Difference between Repentance & Faith

Samuel Rutherford

Christ Dying & Drawing Sinners to Himself  (London: 1647), p. 272

“Position 3.  To repent, to mortify sin, is not to condemn all our works (as Mr. Town says) righteousness and judgment, and our best things in us, and then by faith to fly to grace; nor is it to distrust our own righteousness and embrace Christ’s in the promise:

1. Because this is faith; and the Scripture says we are justified by faith.
2. We receive Christ by faith, Jn. 1:12.
3. We receive and embrace the promise by faith, Heb. 11:11, and were persuaded of them.
4. We are to believe without staggering, Rom. 4.19.
5. We have peace of conscience through faith, Rom. 5:1.
6. By faith we have access into this grace wherein we stand, Rom. 5:2.  And boldness to enter into the holy of holiest, and draw near to our High Priest, with full assurance of faith, Heb. 10:19-22.

Now we are not justified by repentance and mortification; we neither receive Christ, nor embrace the promises by repentance.  The apostle requires in repentance, sorrow, carefulness to eschew sin, clearing, indignation, fear, zeal, desire, revenge, 2 Cor. 7:10-11, but nowhere does the Scripture require this as an ingredient of repentance, that we have boldness and access, and full assurance: nor do Antinomians admit that by repentance we have peace or pardon, but this they ascribe to faith.”

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The Relation of Repentance to Saving Faith & Justification

See also ‘Certain Inherent Graces are Prerequisite to Justification’.

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Order of Contents

Bible Verses  30
Articles  4
Quotes  10+
Westminster
Agnostic  2
Latin  4

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Bible Verses

These list is not exhaustive.

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Mt. 3:2  “And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Mt. 4:17  “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Mt. 21:32  “…but the publicans and the harlots believed him [John the Baptist]: and ye, when ye [chief priests and elders] had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.”

Mk. 1:4  “John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.”

Mk. 1:15  “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.”

Mk. 4:12  “…lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.”

Mk. 6:12  “And they went out, and preached that men should repent.”

Lk. 3:3  “And he [John the Baptist] came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;”

Lk. 8:12  “…and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.”

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

Lk. 24:27  “And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”

Jn. 3:16  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Jn. 5:44  “How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?”

Jn. 6:29  “This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom He hath sent.”

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.”

Acts 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.”

Acts 5:31  “Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.”

Acts 8:22  “Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.”

Acts 11:21  “And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.”

Acts 16:31  “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”

Acts 19:4  “Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.”

Acts 19:18  “And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.”

Acts 20:21  “Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Acts 26:18  “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in Me [Christ].”

Romans 10:10  “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

2 Cor. 7:10  “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.”

2 Tim. 2:25  “In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;”

2 Pet. 3:9  “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

Heb. 6:1  “…the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God…”

Heb. 11:31  “By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.”

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Articles

1600’s

Ball, John – 2nd pt., ch. 5, p. 349  of A Treatise of the Covenant of Grace  (London, 1645)

“…the doubt touching the precedency of faith and repentance may be easily determined.  For if faith be taken largely or generally for a belief of the promise, if we repent and receive it, then faith is before repentance: for there can be no turning without hope of pardon, nor coming home by hearty sorrow, without some expectation of mercy [see WCF 15.2 & WSC 87].  Thus the exhortations run, ‘Turn unto the Lord, for He is merciful and gracious.’  ‘Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand.’

But if faith be taken more strictly, for that faith or belief whereby we receive, embrace, or rest upon the promise of God in Christ Jesus for pardon and forgiveness, then repentance goes before pardon: for no remission is promised to be enjoyed but upon condition of repentance…

If repentance be necessary to Justification, of necessity it must go before justifying faith; because faith and justification are immediately coupled together.  It is impossible to come unto Christ without repentance…  Coming unto Christ is a lively motion of the soul, wherein arising from sin, it draws nigh or approaches unto Christ, that in Him it might be satisfied.  The motion is one, but the points are two.  For in drawing nigh unto Christ, the soul arises from sin: which may be called repentance.”

Ambrose, Isaac – pp. 29-30  of ‘The New Birth’  in Prima the First Things...  (London, 1650)

“…repentance is taken sometimes largely and sometimes strictly: By this distinction it may easily appear how sorrow goes before repentance and how repentance goes before faith.  Indeed, for the latter is the great controversy, but some reconcile it thus: Repentance has two parts, the aversion of the soul from sin, and the conversion of the soul to God; the latter part of it is only an effect of faith, the former part of it, viz. the turning of the soul from sin is also an effect, but not only an effect, for it is begun before faith, though it be not ended till our life end.

Some object that God works repentance and faith together: But we dispute not how God works them, but how the soul acts them; not which is in the soul first, but which appears out of the soul first: neither is it any new thing in philosophy to say those causes which produce an effect, though they be in time together, yet are mutually before one another in order of nature, in diverse respects to their several causalities.

Thus a man must have repentance before he have saving and justifying faith; and yet a man must have faith before the work of repentance be perfect in the soul.  As we maintain repentance to be a precedent work, so we deny it not to be a subsequent effect: Sorrow is before the birth too, as the apostle intimates, 2 Cor. 7:10, ‘Godly sorrow works repentance,’ that is, sorrow prepares a man for repentance, it goes afore it and prepares for it. And now it is that God’s spirit begins to renew his heart…”

Witsius, Herman – ch. 11, ‘Whether Repentance Precedes the Remission of Sins?’ [Yes]  in Conciliatory or Irenical Animadversions on the Controversies Agitated in Britain: under the Unhappy names of Antinomians and Neonomians  (Glasgow, 1807), pp. 119-121

Witsius speaks of repentance as a ‘disposing condition’ of justification and the remission of sins.  That is, it is a non-meritorious, disposition that is an antecedent condition for Justification to take place (it being Scripturally required that for the remission of sins, one must repent).

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2000’s

Ramsey, D. Patrick – ‘Faith & Repentance’  (2019)  7 paragraphs

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Quotes

Order of

Bullinger
Zanchi
Bucanus
Trelcatius
Alsted
Spanheim Sr.
Voet
Rutherford
Alting
Scrivener
Witsius

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1500’s

Henry Bullinger

The Decades  ed. Thomas Harding  (1549; Cambridge: Parker Society, 1850), vol. 3, 4^th Decade, 2^nd Sermon, ‘Of Repentance & the Causes thereof…’, pp. 62-63  Bullinger declared agnostism on the issue, yet the below, describing order in conversion, is helpful.

“…the acknowledging of sins does not of itself obtain grace or forgiveness of sins, even as the bare acknowledging of a disease is not the remedy for the same: for even damned men also do acknowledge their sins, and yet are not therefore healed.  The acknowledging of sin is a certain preparative unto faith, as the acknowledging of a disease does minister occasion to think upon a remedy.

To this at this present we add that not the very fear of God, how sincere soever it be, not the very sorrow conceived for our sins, how great soever it be, nor the very humiliation, how submiss soever it be, do of themselves make us acceptable to God: but rather that they prepare an entrance and make a way for us unto the knowledge of Christ, and so consequently do lead us to Christ Himself being incarnate and crucified for us and our redemption, and lay us upon Christ alone, by Him to be quickened and purely cleansed.”

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Jerome Zanchi

Confession of the Christian Religion…  (1586; Cambridge, 1599), ch. 18. ’Of Repentance’, pp. 142-45

“…and first of repentance the continual and inseparable companion of faith.  For albeit it be daily made more perfect after justification, yet because no man is justified without repentance, and the beginning thereof goes before justification, therefore we have purposed in this first place to declare what our belief is concerning the same.

I. To Justification, and therefore to the communion with Christ, repentance is necessary.

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1600’s

William Bucanus

Institutions of Christian Religion…  (London: Snowdon, 1606), 30^th Place, ‘Of Repentance…’, ‘Whether of these goes before, faith or repentance?’ p. 313

“Whether of these goes before, faith or repentance?

Whereas we have said before that repentance is sometimes used by a synecdoche for that which they call contrition, and have showed that contrition is legal or evangelical, we have placed faith as it were in the middle, between the former of those sorrows which comes of the acknowledgement of our sins and the accusations of the conscience, or which proceeds from the Law and the latter, which proceeds from the Gospel, for godly sorrow is an effect of faith as well as joy and gladness of conscience.”

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Lucas Trelcatius

A Brief Institution of the Common Places of Sacred Divinity  2nd ed.  (London, 1610), bk. 2, Justification, Confuting Part, 3rd Argument, p. 251

“The second head is the will of God, who will have us justified with the alone condition of faith.  The Adversary [Bellarmine] answers that it contradicts the Scripture, which lays down also the condition of repentance.  Answer:

1. Repentance is the condition of faith and of the person justified, but not properly of justification.

2. It is one thing to treat of the condition of justification, but another thing of the cause and instrument thereof: for a condition notes a consequent, or effect: but a cause, the antecedent or efficient.”

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Johann Heinrich Alsted

Distinctions through Universal Theology, taken out of the Canon of the Sacred Letters & Classical Theologians  (Frankfurt: 1626), ch. 21, ‘Repentance’, p. 94

“Repentance [poenitentia] is true or false, internal or external, major or minor, preceeding or following faith.”

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Theological Questions Briefly Set Forth & Exposited  (Frankfurt, 1627), 29.‘Of Repentance [Poenitentia]’, p. 217

“6. Whether repentance is prior to faith?  Initial repentance is prior; continued [repentance] is posterior [to faith].”

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Frederic Spanheim, Sr.

Gospel Doubts…  (1639; Geneva, 1700), vol. 3, Doubt 12, ‘Whether Metanoia [Repentance] is Prior to Faith, or Faith to Repentance?’, p. 25

“Metanoia-inchoate is anterior to faith, completed posterior.  Thus metanoia considered according to the act of contrition is anterior to faith, according to the act of conversion, posterior.  And so in a diverse respect metanoia is and is not anterior to faith, without contradiction.”

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Gisbert Voet

9. ‘Justification’, Of Justification in General  in Syllabus of Theological Problems  (Utrecht, 1643), pt. 1, section 2, tract 3   Abbr.

“Whether the infusion of grace is required for justification?  It is distinguished.

Whether some movement of free choice and faith is required?  It is affirmed with a distinction.

Whether a movement of free choice contra sin?  It is disintinguished.

Whether the remission of sins is to number the premises and prerequisites of justification?  It is denied.

Whether the infusion of grace is by order of nature first amongst those things which are required for justification?  It is distinguished.
…

Whether inhering righteousness is the cause of justification?  It is denied.
…

Whether the righteousness of the justified is inhering or imputed?  The latter is affirmed contra the Papists.
…

Whether we deny all inherent righteousness?  It is denied.
…

Whether sanctification or regeneration precedes justification, or the contrary?  It is distinguished.
…

Whether it [justification] precedes repentance?  It is distinguished.
…

Whether and in what way the law and penitence are able to be said to concur unto our justification?  It is explained.”

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Samuel Rutherford

Christ Dying & Drawing Sinners to Himself  (London: 1647)

pp. 244-45

“Assertion 7.  Not any protestant divines I know make true repentance a work of the Law, going before faith in Christ.

1. The Law speaks not one word of repentance, but says either do or die.  Repentance is an evangelic ingredient in a saint.

2. Christ was made a Prince and exalted to give repentance, Acts 5:31, and the Law, as the Law, has not one word of Christ, though it cannot contradict Christ, except we say that there be two contradictory wills in Christ, which were blasphemy; but some dispositions before conversion I conceive Antinomians yield to us.  For one says, speaking of the manner of his conversion:

‘One main thing, I am sure, was to get some soul-saving-comfort; that moved me to reveal my troubled conscience to godly ministers, and not in general to allay my trouble.’

Yet I can make good from Scripture that this desire can be in no unconverted soul; a physician that mistakes the cure doctrinally will prove a cousening [deceiving] comforter.  And another says:

‘The persons capable of justification are such as truly feel what lost creatures they are in themselves and in all their works: this is all the preparative condition that God requires on our part to this high and heavenly work, for hereby is a man truly humbled in himself, of whom God speaks, saying, ‘I dwell with him that is of an humble spirit, etc. [Isa. 57:15]’

To make persons capable of justification, here is required a true feeling that they are lost in themselves and in all their works.  But this can be no preparative condition of justification, as Eaton says, because:

[1.] True feeling must follow faith, not go before it.

2. And true feeling is proper to justified persons, nothing going before justification, and so, [that] which is found in unjustified persons, can be proper to justified persons only.

3. Antinomians say, ‘Sinners as Sinners, and consequently all sinners’ are to believe justification in Christ, without any foregoing preparation.  This man says, ‘Prepared and feeling persons that are sensible of sin, are only capable of justification.’

4. To truly feel a lost condition cannot be all the preparative condition, for the Word has annexed no promise of justification to the unjustified who shall feel his lost condition.  For the place Isa. 57 speaks of a justified sinner, not of an unjustified [person] who is only prepared for justification:

1. Because God dwells in this humbled soul, then He must be justified and converted. Eph. 3:17, ‘That Christ may dwell in your heart by faith.’

2. This is a liver by faith, and so justified; ‘The just shall live by faith,’ Hab. 2:4; Rom. 1:17; Gal. 3:11; Heb. 10:38; and he must live by faith whom the high and lofty One revives.”

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pp. 258-59

“Assertion 11.  That the promises of the Gospel are holden forth to sinners, as sinners, has a twofold sense:

1. As that they be sinners and all [be] in a sinful condition to whom the promises are holden forth.  This is most true and sound.  The Kingdom of grace is an hospital and guest-house of sick ones, fit for the art and mercy of the Physician Christ.

2. So as they are all immediately to believe and apply Christ and the promises, who are sinners; and there be nothing required of sinners but that they may all immediately challenge interest in Christ, after their own way and order, without humiliation or any Law-work.  In this sense it is most false that the promises are holden forth to sinners as sinners, because then Christ should be holden forth to all sinners, Americans, Indians and sinners who never by the least rumor heard one word of Christ.

2. Peter desires not Simon Magus to believe that God had loved him in Christ Jesus with an everlasting love, nor does the Gospel-promise offer immediately soul-rest to the hardened and proud sinner wallowing in his lusts, as he is a hardened sinner; nor is the acceptable year of the Lord proclaimed, nor beauty and the oil of joy offered immediately to any but to those who are weary and laden and who mourn in Zion and wallow in ashes, Mt. 11:28-30; Isa. 61:1-3.  It’s true, to all within the visible Church Christ is offered without price or money, but to be received after Christ’s fashion and order, not after our order; that is, after the soul is under self-despair of salvation and in the sinner’s month, when he has been with child of hell.

I grant, in regard of time, sinners cannot come too soon to Christ, nor too early to wisdom; but in regard of order, many come too soon and unprepared.  Simon Magus too soon believed.  Saltmarsh says He misbelieved too soon, for he falsely believed: none can believe too soon.  Answer: To believe too soon is to misbelieve, and Saltmarsh and Antinomians teach us the method of false-believing when they teach us too soon to believe; that is, to believe that God has loved you (be ye what ye will, Simon Magus, Judas or others) with an everlasting love, for that is the Antinomian Faith.  Simon Magus is without any foregoing humiliation or sense of sin, or self-despair, to believe he was no less written in the Lamb’s book of life from eternity than Peter; and this he cannot believe soon enough.  I say, neither soon or late ought a reprobate to believe any such thing.

A covetous man who had great possessions [the rich young ruler] had not yet bidden farewell to his old god mammon when he came to Christ; therefore he departed sad from Christ.  Another came before he had buried his father; and some come, Lk. 14:28-29, before they advise with their strength and what Christ will cost them.  I desire I be not mistaken: none can be thoroughly fitted for Christ before he come to Christ; but it is as true some would buy the pearl before they sell all they have, which is not the wise merchant’s part:

and they err foully who argue thus, If I were not a sinner, or if my sins were less heinous, and so I were less unworthy, I would come to Christ and believe; but ah, I am so grievous an offender and so unworthy that I cannot go.  Their antecedent is true, but the consequence is naught and wicked.  It is true, I am sick, and [it is] good that I both say and feel that I am sick; but, therefore, I cannot, I will not go to the Physician: that is wicked logic and the contrary consequence is good: whereas the other consequence is a seeking of righteousness in ourselves.”

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J. Henricus Alting

A Method of Didactic Theology  (Amsterdam, 1656; 1662), Locus 16, ‘The Gift of Repentance [Resipiscentiae] & Faith by Effectual Calling’, p. 100

“Hence it [repentance (resipiscentia)] partly precedes faith and partly follows it.  It precedes with regard to the knowledge of sin and punishment, contrition from each sense and the despairing of one’s own powers (Isa. 66:1-2; Mt. 5:2-6; Acts 2:37).  It follows [faith] with regard to conversion, or the change from bad to good (2 Cor. 7:10; Acts 20:21; 26:18).”

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Matthew Scrivener

A Course of Divinity...  (London: Roycroft, 1674), pt. 1, bk. 1, ch. 20, p. 76

“And therefore, lastly, in answer to diverse places of the ancients which are produced to confirm the modern sense of justification by faith alone, I answer in a word: That it is true, their words seem to attest so much, but their meaning was plainly no more than this:

That faith many times does justify without works, that is, any outward manifestation of their faith, by such fruits: but never without inward acts of repentance and charity distinct from this special faith: nor without such a devotion to good works, which wants nothing but opportunity to exert them; which is by an extraordinary clemency and grace of God, accepted for the thing itself.

This appears by the example by them given, to manifest their meaning, of the thief on the cross; who was so justified and saved by faith alone, without good works answerable thereunto, because his sudden faith was prevented by sudden death.  Nevertheless, that his faith was so much alone as to exclude repentance, and such graces as were compatible to one in his condition, from a proportionable concurrence to that effect, is nowhere said, nor intended by any of the fathers whose judgment is of account in the Church of God.”

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Herman Witsius

Conciliatory or Irenical Animadversions on the Controversies Agitated in Britain: under the Unhappy Names of Antinomians & Neonomians  (1696; Glasgow, 1807), ch. 11, ‘Whether repentance precedes the remission of sins? [Yes]’, pp. 119-20

“II. As soon as a principle of new life is infused into the adult person by the Spirit of Grace, immediately spiritual acting of every kind springs up from that principle, actions so pervading and exciting one another, and so mingled in their exercise that they can scarcely be distinguished in practice; and as difficult is it to determine which is first in time, which last.

Surely it is not possible but that the soul, quickened by the Spirit, should in that supernatural light wherewith it is illuminated, both see itself defiled and undone with innumerable sins, and see Christ full of grace, truth and salvation.  Such a view cannot but cause both, that with shame and sorrow it be displeased with itself, and with ardent desire be carried out unto
Christ.  Hence arises the receiving and accepting of Christ, that it may be delivered from the fiithiness and guilt of its sins.  Now it cannot receive Him for justification except at the same time it receive him for sanctification: nor receive Him as a Priest to expiate sin, unless it also receive him as a King to whom it may submit in order to obedience.

Hence it follows that that act of faith whereby we receive Christ for righteousness cannot be exercised without either a previous, or at least a concomitant repentance, and a purpose of a new life.  If therefore faith go before justification, as we have lately asserted; the same must be said of repentance, springing up together with it from the same principle of spiritual life.”

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Westminster

Confession

ch. 11, ‘Of Justification’

“II. Faith, thus receiving and resting on Christ and his righteousness, is the alone instrument of justification;[d] yet is it not alone in the person justified, but is ever accompanied with all other saving graces, and is no dead faith, but worketh by love.[e]

[d] John 1:12. Rom. 3:28. Rom. 5:1.
[e] Jam. 2:17,22,26. Gal. 5:6.”

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ch. 14, ‘Of Saving Faith’

“By this faith, a Christian believeth to be true whatsoever is revealed in the word, for the authority of God himself speaking therein;[e] and acteth differently upon that which each particular passage thereof containeth; yielding obedience to the commands,[f] trembling at the threatenings,[g] and embracing the promises of God for this life and that which is to come.[h]…

[e] John 4:42. 1 Thess. 2:13. 1 John 5:10. Acts 24:14.
[f] Rom. 16:26.
[g] Isa. 66:2.
[h] Heb. 11:13. 1 Tim. 4:8.”

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ch. 15, ‘Of Repentance unto Life’

“II. By it a sinner, out of the sight and sense, not only of the danger, but also of the filthiness and odiousness of his sins, as contrary to the holy nature and righteous law of God, and upon the apprehension of his mercy in Christ to such as are penitent, so grieves for and hates his sins, as to turn from them all unto God,[c] purposing and endeavouring to walk with him in all the ways of his commandments.[d]

[c] Ezek. 18:30,31. Ezek. 36:31. Isa. 30:22. Ps. 51:4. Jer. 31:18,19. Joel 2:12,13. Amos 5:15. Ps. 119:128. 2 Cor. 7:11.
[d] Ps. 119:6,59,106. Luke 1:6. 2 Kings 23:25.

III. Although repentance be not to be rested in, as any satisfaction for sin, or any cause of the pardon thereof,[e] which is the act of God’s free grace in Christ;[f] yet is it of such necessity to all sinners, that none may expect pardon without it.[g]

[e] Ezek. 36:31,32. Ezek. 16:61-63.
[f] Hos. 14:2,4. Rom. 3:24. Eph. 1:7.
[g] Luke 13:3,5. Acts 17:30,31.”

.

Shorter Catechism

“Q. 87. What is repentance unto life?

A. Repentance unto life is a saving grace,[g] whereby a sinner, out of a true sense of his sin,[h] and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ,[i] doth, with grief and hatred of his sin, turn from it unto God,[k] with full purpose of, and endeavour after, new obedience.[l]

[g] Acts 11:18.
[h] Acts 2:37,38.
[i] Joel 2:12. Jer. 3:22.
[k] Jer. 31:18,19. Ezek. 36:31.
[l] 2 Cor. 7:11. Isa. 1:16,17.”

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Larger Catechism

“Q. 73. How doth faith justify a sinner in the sight of God?

A. Faith justifies a sinner in the sight of God, not because of those other graces which do always accompany it, or of good works that are the fruits of it,[q] nor as if the grace of faith, or any act thereof; were imputed to him for his justification;[r] but only as it is an instrument by which he receiveth and applieth Christ and his righteousness.[s]

[q] Gal. 3:11. Rom. 3:28.
[r] Rom. 4:5 compared with Rom. 10:10.
[s] John 1:12. Phil. 3:9. Gal. 2:16“

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“Q. 75. What is sanctification?

A. Sanctification is a work of God’s grace, whereby they whom God hath, before the foundation of the world, chosen to be holy, are in time, through the powerful operation of his Spirit[b] applying the death and resurrection of Christ unto them,[c] renewed in their whole man after the image of God;[d] having the seeds of repentance unto life, and all other saving graces, put into their hearts,[e] and those graces so stirred up, increased, and strengthened,[f] as that they more and more die unto sin, and rise unto newness of life.[g]

[b] Eph. 1:4. 1 Cor. 6:11. 2 Thess. 2:13.
[c] Rom. 6:4-6.
[d] Eph. 4:23,24.
[e] Acts 11:18. 1 John 3:9.
[f] Jude 20. Heb. 6:11,12. Eph. 3:16-19. Col. 1:10,11.
[g] Rom. 6:4,6,14. Gal. 5:24.”

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Agnostic

Quotes

1500’s

Henry Bullinger

The Decades  ed. Thomas Harding  (1549; Cambridge: Parker Society, 1850), vol. 3, 4^th Decade, 2^nd Sermon, ‘Of Repentance & the Causes thereof…’, p. 62

“I will not stand in argument, whether faith be a part of repentance, or does by any other means depend upon it.  It seems to me a notable point of folly to go about to tie matters of divinity to precepts of logic: for we learn not that of the Lord’s apostles.”

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William Pemble

Vindiciæ gratiæ. = A Plea for Grace, More especially the Grace of Faith…  (London: 1627), pp. 11-12

“Wherefore we are not to imagine that faith is infused either before or without other graces, or that the soul is not at the same time and as soon disposed to love and fear God as to believe in Him, or to humility, to patience, to charity, to repentance, as for faith.  The seed of all these graces is sown at once; and for their habits they are coeval stems of one common root of inherent sanctity: though yet some of them shoot up faster and bear fruit sooner than other.

Those that do so are the two principal graces of faith and repentance: the actions of both which seem to appear first in the regenerate: which of them show first, I will not now dispute; but certain it is that the regenerate soul works here most lively and stirring, and after the infusion of spirituall life the pulse beats strongest in those arteries. The reason whereof I take it is, the singular use of these two graces arising from the manner of our conversion: which being wrought by the sight of sin and misery on the one side, and the representation of grace and mercy on the other, of necessity draws the newly-regenerate soul by strong motions immediately to conceive sorrow for, and detestation of its sinful misery, and also to a vehement desiring and looking after the promise of grace, which may bring it deliverance from an estate so damnable.  But in this point of the priority of one grace before another, we may not be too bold nor curious: for as the working of the Holy Ghost is secret and wonderful, in making us wild gourds partakers of the sap and sweetness of the true vine: so is it not possibly observable in all or the most, where, and in what branch this sap first buds forth into blossoms and fruit.”

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Latin Articles

1500’s

Zanchi, Girolamo

‘Whether repentance [poenitentia] precedes faith or faith repentance’  in Locus 9, ‘Of Repentance [Poentitentia]’  in A Compendium of Principal Heads of Christian Doctrine  in Works, vol. 8 (Geneva, 1649), col. 760

Zanchi argues that repentance is born from and arises from faith, and follows it.

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1600’s

Walaeus, Antonius – ‘Whether repentance precedes or follows [faith]?’  in ‘Of Repentance [Poenitentia]’  in All the Works, 2 vols. combined  (d. 1639; Leiden: Hackius, 1643), p. 77 rt. col.

Walaeus answers that if ‘repentance’ is taken generally for conversion, so as including faith, then it is simultaneous with faith; if it is taken distinctly and strictly, then it follows faith, as whatsoever is not of faith is sin, and without faith it is impossible to please God.

Spanheim, Sr., Frederic – Doubt 12, ‘Whether Metanoia [Repentance] is Prior to Faith, or Faith to Repentance?’  in Gospel Doubts…  (1639; Geneva, 1700), vol. 3, pp. 24-27

This is one of the best discussions.

“Metanoia-inchoate is anterior to faith, completed posterior.  Thus metanoia considered according to the act of contrition is anterior to faith, according to the act of conversion, posterior.  And so in a diverse respect metanoia is and is not anterior to faith, without contradiction.” – p. 25

Alting, J. Henricus – Problem 6, ‘Whether repentance is prior to or posterior to faith?’  in 16. ‘Of Internal Calling, & that which depends on it: Repentance & Faith’  in A New Problematic Theology, or a System of Theological Problems  (Amsterdam, 1662), pp. 705-6

Alting distinguishes three ways the term “repentance” can be taken, namely, (1) generally, for contrition, faith and conversion or new obedience, (2) specifically, for contrition and conversion, and (3) most specifically, for conversion.

With regard to (1), repentance is logically posterior to those three things that comprise it; with regard to (2), repentance is before faith as contrition flows out of it, but it is after faith in conversion; with regard to (3), repentance follows faith and justification, as new obedience follows faith.

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On Penance & Human Satisfactions for Sin

Whether the Latin Vulgate says “Do Penance”?  No

Charles Johnson

“Why the Roman Church is being dishonest when it says the Vulgate supports their sacrament of penitence when it says “poenitentiam agite” (Mt. 3:2):

1. The term that the reformers preferred for repentance, resipiscentia, is nowhere used in the Vulgate.  In fact it’s not common at all in ancient Latin texts.  So either the early Church had no concept of repentance, or they referred to it with the term poenitentia.

2. The Vulgate uses the term poenitentia throughout the Old Testament, before the sacrament of penance was instituted according to the Roman view.  So something else is clearly in view.

3. The Vulgate uses poenitentia to refer to repentance at the time of conversion, whereas in the Roman view the sacrament of penance is for restoration for sins committed after baptism. For example Acts 19:4, “Joannes baptizavit baptismo poenitentiae populum“, “John baptized with a baptism of repentance”.

4. The term poenitentia is sometimes used to express how God does not turn from his plans, which is more fitting to the idea of repentance than penance.  For example Rom. 11:29, “Sine poenitentia enim sunt dona et vocatio Dei.”, “The gifts and calling of God are without repentance”.  See also 1 Sam. 15:29, “Porro triumphator in Israel non parcet, et poenitudine non flectetur: neque enim homo est ut agat poenitentiam.”  It is even used positively in reference to God, such as Jer. 18:10, “Si fecerit malum in oculis meis, ut non audiat vocem meam, poenitentiam agam super bono quod locutus sum ut facerem ei.”

5. Poenitentia is often parsed in the Vulgate as a turning aside from sin.  1 Sam. 15:29, “Porro triumphator in Israel non parcet, et poenitudine non flectetur: neque enim homo est ut agat poenitentiam.”

6. 1 Kings 8:47 says that poenitentia may be done in one’s heart, which does not fit the nature of the sacrament of penance. “et egerint poenitentiam in corde suo in loco captivitatis“.”

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Romanist Material

Pope John XXIII – ‘Paenitentiam Agere: Encyclical of Pope John XXIII
on the Need for the Practice of Interior & Exterior Penance’  (July 1, 1962)  44 paragraphs

Note that there appears to be some inconsistency in this encyclical’s claim that “Doing penance for one’s sins is a first step towards obtaining forgiveness and winning eternal salvation”, as Romanists Catechisms tend to put the sacrament of baptism before penance.

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On New Obedience

Westminster

Confession 15.2

“By it [repentance unto life] a sinner, out of the sight and sense, not only of the danger, but also of the filthiness and odiousness of his sins, as contrary to the holy nature and righteous law of God, and upon the apprehension of his mercy in Christ to such as are penitent, so grieves for and hates his sins, as to turn from them all unto God,[c] purposing and endeavouring to walk with him in all the ways of his commandments.[d]

[c] Ezek. 18:30,31. Ezek. 36:31. Isa. 30:22. Ps. 51:4. Jer. 31:18,19. Joel 2:12,13. Amos 5:15. Ps. 119:128. 2 Cor. 7:11.
[d] Ps. 119:6,59,106. Luke 1:6. 2 Kings 23:25.”

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Shorter Catechism

“Q. 87. What is repentance unto life?

A. Repentance unto life is a saving grace,[g] whereby a sinner, out of a true sense of his sin,[h] and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ,[i] doth, with grief and hatred of his sin, turn from it unto God,[k] with full purpose of, and endeavour after, new obedience.[l]

[g] Acts 11:18.
[h] Acts 2:37,38.
[i] Joel 2:12. Jer. 3:22.
[k] Jer. 31:18,19. Ezek. 36:31.
[l] 2 Cor. 7:11. Isa. 1:16,17.”

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Larger Catechism

“A. Repentance unto life is a saving grace,[h] wrought in the heart of a sinner by the Spirit[i] and word of God,[k] whereby, out of the sight and sense, not only of the danger,[l] but also of the filthiness and odiousness of his sins,[m] and upon the apprehension of God’s mercy in Christ to such as are penitent,[n] he so grieves for[o] and hates his sins,[p] as that he turns from them all to God,[q] purposing and endeavouring constantly to walk with him in all the ways of new obedience.[r]

[h] 2 Tim. 2:25.
[i] Zech. 12:10.
[k] Acts 11:18,20,21.
[l] Ezek. 18:28,30,32. Luke 15:17,18. Hos. 2:6,7.
[m] Ezek. 36:31. Isa. 30:22.
[n] Joel 2:12,13.
[o] Jer. 31:18,19.
[p] 2 Cor. 7:11.
[q] Acts 26:18. Ezek. 14:6. 1 Kings 8:47,48.
[r] Ps. 119:6,59,128. Luke 1:6. 2 Kings 23:25.”

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Article

1600’s

Perkins, William – sect. 5, New Obedience unto God in our Life & Conversation  in The Whole Treatise of the Cases of Conscience…  (Cambridge: Legat, 1606), bk. 1, ch. 5, What must a man do, that he may come into Gods favor, and be saved?

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Latin Article

1600’s

pp. 114  of ch. 5, ‘Of the Practice of Repentance [Resipiscentia] and its actions, or three parts: 1. Humiliation, 2. Reconciliation, 3. Renovation, that is new obedience and the promise, exciting and presenting of gratitude’  in Two Tracts: One…  of the Exercise of Piety...  (Gorinchem: Paul Vink, 1679), pp. 157-222

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“Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.”

Acts 8:22

“When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.”

Acts 11:18

“…that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.”

Acts 26:20

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Related Pages

Conversion

Forgiveness

On Confession of Sins, Penance & Human Satisfactions for Sin