True repentance – Thomas Brooks

True repentance works a change in the whole man; in all the qualities of the INWARD man, and in all the actions of the OUTWARD man. The understanding is turned from darkness to light; the will from a sinful servility to a holy liberty; the affections from disorder into order; the heart from hardness into softness. Likewise in the outward man, the lustful eye is turned into an eye of chastity; the wanton ear is turned into an obedient ear; the hands of thievery are turned into hands of liberality; and the wandering feet of vanity are turned into ways of purity.

That repentance which changes a man in only some part but not in every part; which only makes a man a Herod, or an Agrippa, a half Christian, an almost Christian that repentance will never bring down heaven into a man’s bosom here, nor never bring a man up to heaven hereafter!

True repentance is a total turning, as well as a universal turning, from all sin, without any reservation or exception. I hate and abhor every false way but I love Your law,” Psalm 119:163. So in Ezek. 18:30, “Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, everyone according to his ways, says the Lord God. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions. Just so, iniquity shall not be your ruin.” So in Ezek. 33:11.

Ezek. 14:6, “Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God, Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations.” He who looks upon both God, and at the same time looks upon any sin with a leering eye, has not yet reached unto true repentance; his repentance and profession cannot secure him from double damnation. He who serves God in some things, and his lusts in other things, says to God as David said to Mephibosheth concerning his lands, “You and Ziba divide the lands,” 2 Sam. 19:29. Just so, you and Satan divide my soul, my heart between you. Ah! does not such a soul deserve a double hell?