They are but half-turned, who turn only from gross
sin—but have no intrinsic work of grace. They do not prize Christ—or love
holiness. It is with mere moral people as with Jonah; he got a gourd to
shield the heat of the sun, and thought that he was safe—but a worm
presently arose and devoured the gourd. So men, when they are turned from
gross sin, think that their morality will be a gourd to defend them
from the wrath of God—but at death there arises the worm of conscience,
which smites this gourd, and then their hearts fail, and they are in a
dreadful condtion!
They are but half-turned, who turn from many
sins—but are unturned from some special sin. There is a harlot in
the bosom which they will not let go! This is as if a man should be
cured of several diseases—but has a cancer in his breast, which kills him.
It reproves those whose turning is as good as no turning, who expel one
devil and welcome another. They turn from swearing—to slandering, from
extravagance—to covetousness. Such turning will turn men to hell!
... Turning to God is for our benefit. Our repentance is of
no benefit to God—but to ourselves. If a man drinks of a fountain—he
benefits himself, not the fountain. If he beholds the light of the sun—he
himself is refreshed by it, not the sun. If we turn from our sins to God,
God is not advantaged by it. It is only we ourselves who reap the benefit.
In this case self-love should prevail with us: "If you become wise, you will
be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer."
(Proverbs 9:12).
- Thomas Watson (The Doctrine of Repentance, Chapter 4)
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