Is turning from sin a necessary
ingredient in repentance? If so, then there is little true repentance to be
found. People are not turned from their sins; they are still the same as
they ever were! They were proud—and so they are still. They are like the
beasts in Noah's ark, they went into the ark unclean—and came out
unclean. Men come to gospel ordinances impure—and go away impure. Though
men have seen so many changes on the outside—yet there is no change wrought
within: "after all this punishment, the people will still not repent and
turn to the Lord Almighty" (Isaiah 9:13).
How can they say they repent—who do not turn? Are they
washed in Jordan—who still have their leprosy upon their forehead?
May not God say to the unreformed, as once to Ephraim, "Ephraim is
joined to idols—let him alone!" (Hos. 4:17)? Likewise, here is a man joined
to his drunkenness and uncleanness—let him alone! Let him go on in sin! If
there is either justice in heaven, or vengeance in hell—he shall not go
unpunished!
- Thomas Watson (The Doctrine of Repentance, Chapter 4)
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