Repentance and faith answer each other
So it is that, in the children of God, repentance and faith exactly answer each other. By repentance we feel the sin remaining in our hearts, and cleaving to our words and actions. By faith we receive the power of God in Christ, purifying our hearts and cleansing our hands. By repentance we are still aware that we deserve punishment for all our tempers, and words, and actions. By faith we are conscious that our Advocate with the Father is continually pleading for us, and so continually turning aside all condemnation and punishment from us. By repentance we have an abiding conviction that there is no help in us. By faith we receive not only mercy, but grace to help in every time of need.
Repentance refuses the very possibility of any other help. Faith accepts all the help we need, from him who has all power in heaven and on earth. Repentance says, Without him I can do nothing. Faith says, I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me. Through him I can not only overcome, but drive out, all the enemies of my soul. Through him I can love the Lord my God with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength, and walk in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of my life.
1771 text
6. Thus it is, that in the children of God, repentance and faith exactly answer each other. By repentance we feel the sin remaining in our hearts, and cleaving to our words and actions. By faith we receive the power of God in Christ, purifying our hearts and cleansing our hands. By repentance we are still sensible that we deserve punishment for all our tempers and words and actions. By faith we are conscious, that our Advocate with the Father is continually pleading for us, and thereby continually turning aside all condemnation and punishment from us. By repentance we have an abiding conviction, that there is no help in us. By faith we receive not only mercy, but grace to help in every time of need. Repentance disclaims the very possibility of any other help. Faith accepts all the help we stand in need of, from him that hath all power in heaven and earth. Repentance says, Without him I can do nothing: faith says, I can do all things through Christ strengthening me. Through him I cannot only overcome, but expel all the enemies of my soul. Through him I can love the Lord my God, with all my heart, mind, soul and strength: yea and walk in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of my life.
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 14 in the 1771 Works. Mark 1:15. Dated at Londonderry, 24 April 1767.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.