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4.
1
THESE things, beloved, we [*115:15] write unto you, not only [*115:16] for your instruction, but also for our own remembrance.
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2
For we are all in the same [*115:17] lists, and the same combat is [*115:18] prepared for us all.
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3
Wherefore let us lay aside all vain and empty cares; and let us come up to the glorious and venerable rule of our holy calling.
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4
[*115:19] Let us consider what is good, and acceptable and well-pleasing in the sight of him that made us.
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5
Let us look steadfastly to the blood of Christ, and see how precious his blood is in the sight of God: which being shed for our salvation, [*115:20] has obtained the grace of repentance for all the world.
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4.
6
Let us [*115:21] search into all the ages that have gone before us; and let us learn that our Lord has [*115:22] in every one of them still given place for repentance to all such as would [*115:23] turn to him.
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7
[*115:24] Noah preached repentance; and as many as hearkened to him were saved. [*115:25] Jonah denounced destruction against the Ninevites:
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8
Howbeit they repenting of their sins, appeased God by their prayers: and [*116:1] were saved, though they were strangers to the covenant of God.
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9
Hence we find how all the ministers of the grace of God have spoken by the Holy Spirit of repentance. And even the Lord of all has himself [*116:2] declared with an oath concerning it;
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4.
10
[*116:3] As I live, saith the Lord, I desire not the death of a sinner, [*116:4] but that he should repent. Adding farther this good sentence, saying: [*116:5] Turn from your iniquity, O house of Israel.
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4.
11
[*116:6] Say unto the children of my people, Though your sins should reach from earth to heaven; and though they shall be redder than scarlet, and blacker than sackcloth; yet if ye shall turn to me with all your heart, and shall call me father, I will hearken to you, as to a holy people.
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4.
12
And in another place he saith on this wise: [*116:7] Wash ye, make you clean; put away [*116:8] the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.
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4.
13
Come now and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they he red as crimson, [*116:9] they shall be as wool.
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4.
14
If ye he willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land; but if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.
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4.
15
These things has God established by his Almighty will, desiring that all his beloved should come to repentance.
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4.
Footnotes ^115:15 End.
^115:16 Instructing you, but also remembering, &c.
^115:17 Place of encounter.
^115:18 Imposed upon us all.
^115:19 1 Tim. v. 4.
^115:20 Afforded or given to.
^115:21 Look diligently to.
^115:22 From age to age.
^115:23 Be turned.
^115:24 2 Peter ii. 5. Genesis vii.
^115:25 John iii.
^116:1 Received salvation.
^116:2 Spoken.
^116:3 Ezekiel xxxiii. 11.
^116:4 So much as his repentance.
^116:5 Repent from.
^116:6 Ezekiel xviii. 30, 23; Isaiah i.; Jeremiah iii. 4, 19.
^116:7 Isaiah v. 16.
^116:8 Evil from your souls.
^116:9 I will make them as wool.
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