Chapter 1: On The State Of The Impenitant

EARNESTLY CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH:
REPENTANCE EXPLAINED AND ENFORCED
by
JOHN THORNTON
Chapter 1: On The State Of The Impenitant
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THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS
GOD MANIFEST IN THE FLESH.
THAT IS WHY HE IS GOD

CHAPTER I

On the State of the Impenitent.

I will tell you, reader, in the beginning, what is my design in this little book: I do not intend to amuse you with curious questions, or engage you in fierce disputes, and vain janglings; but to shew you the things that belong to your peace. You must soon die, and bid farewell to the world. You are gliding down the stream of time into a shoreless and bottomless ocean. It is clear from the word of God, that after death you must be either eternally happy, or eternally miserable. It is as plain as words can make it, that if you go on hardened in sin to the last, your precious immortal soul will be certainly lost, and lost forever. I therefore beg your serious attention to the subject of repentance. No subject is more frequently and urgently pressed upon men in the holy scriptures. Every messenger that God has sent to perishing sinners, has brought a call to repentance. Every instance of the careless and profane cut off by death, is a loud call to the living. Every affliction in your own person, is a call from God to repentance.
Think of the value and duration of the soul. Luther declares this life to be but a little piece of life everlasting. When you have passed over your narrow span of time, you must immediately enter upon a boundless eternity. As you sow in this world, you must reap in that which is to come. While, therefore, I set before you the nature and necessity of repentance, I shall use great plainness of speech. I would keep back nothing that may be profitable to you, but faithfully declare the whole counsel of God. If I make use of strong and pointed language, it is because I most ardently wish to arouse you to a true sense of your danger, and lead you into the way of salvation. Look into the scriptures of the Old Testament, and see with what earnestness and solemnity the prophets exhorted the thoughtless, the worldly-minded, and the wicked, to forsake their sins, and cast themselves upon the mercy of a pardoning God. Look into the New Testament, and see with what plainness, with what melting compassion, with what burning zeal, Christ and his apostles warned the guilty to flee from the wrath to come, and lay hold on eternal life.
We read in Luke 13:1-5. There were present at that season some that told him of the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answering, said unto them, suppose ye that these Galileans were sinners above all the Galileans, because they suffered such things? 1 tell you nay: but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above them that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you nay: but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Here we see how ready men are to put away the weighty concerns of religion from themselves, and think or speak only of other persons. They are willing that blame should be laid any where, rather than at their own doors. They shun the light, and labour to shake off those convictions which begin to trouble the conscience. In this scripture, our Lord directs his piercing words to every heart. He also teaches us the use we ought to make of any remarkable events of providence which take place in the world, and especially in our own neighbourhood. In no part of the Bible is the absolute necessity of repentance more forcibly insisted on than in this passage. As, however, a man must see his danger before he will inquire for a refuge, and his disease, before he will seek for a remedy, I shall proceed,
To show the state of the impenitent.
To fix a deeper impression on the mind, the scriptures represent the unconverted by various comparisons. Thus we find, the impenitent described as in a state of spiritual darkness, of distance from God, of deep pollution, of guilt and condemnation, of bondage and misery.
The impenitent are in a state of spiritual darkness.
It is said, This is life eternal to know the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent. But sin is a dark cloud upon the mind, a thick vail drawn over the heart, which excludes the precious light of divine truth. The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:14. To one who is in this state, the clearest displays of the power, wisdom, justice, and goodness of God : and the fullest manifestations of the love, compassion, faithfulness, and glory of Christ, are only as the beauties of a fine prospect to a blind man. While the understanding, which is the window of the mind, remains shut, all within must be dreary darkness. When there is no motion of love and gratitude in the heart, no breathing of fervent prayer from the lips towards God, the soul is dead in trespasses and sins. How strong, and yet how just is the language of the prophet: Darkness hath covered the earth, and gross darkness the people. What can more truly describe the ignorance and stupidity of the carnal mind, than these words?
And is this, reader, your unhappy state? Be not offended at this serious question, but examine whether it be so or not. It is possible you may be proud of your knowledge, and yet in spiritual matters, continue as blind as the mole that grovels in the earth. The footsteps of God are printed on the works of creation, and yet you do not see those footsteps and admire. The hand of God is stretched out, guiding all the affairs of providence, giving you daily bread and hourly protection, and yet you do not see that hand and thankfully adore. The face of God, the reconciled countenance of the Father, shines as in a glass, in the gospel, and yet you do not see it and heartily rejoice. The unsearchable riches of Christ, and the everlasting glories of heaven, are opened by the promises, and still you neither see their value, nor seek them. Are not these proofs that the understanding is darkened? Seneca, in a letter to a friend, says, “My wife keeps a poor silly girl, who all of a sudden lost her sight; and (which may seem incredible, but is very true) she does not know that she is blind; but is every now and then asking her governess to lead her abroad, saying the house is dark. Now what we laugh at in this poor creature, we may observe happens to us all. No man knows that he is covetous or insatiable. Yet with this difference, the blind seek somebody to lead them, but we are content to wander without a guide.”
If you behold a man walking unconcerned near the edge of a deep whirlpool, would you not think him blind or mad? Would you not fly to snatch him back from destruction? And what can be a more full proof of spiritual blindness, than a total indifference to the dangers that threaten the soul? If fire comes so near your house or goods, that you have reason to fear they will be consumed, you use every means to secure them. But though the fire of God’s wrath is kindling to destroy the soul, you neither dread nor see the danger. If the mind were not grossly darkened, how could you thoughtlessly dance and sport on the borders of the bottomless pit? It is true, light is come into the world, you live amidst the full blaze of gospel day, and yet you love darkness rather than light. O, that you knew even in this your day, the things that belong to your peace, before they are hid from your eyes. Luke 19:42.
The impenitent are in a state of distance from God.
In the scriptures all are represented as wanderers from God. We all like sheep have gone astray, we have turned every one unto his own way. Isaiah 53:6. We have forsaken the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water. Jeremiah 2:3. Since Adam fell, every son and daughter of Adam is averse to good and inclined to evil. Not only is the understanding darkened, but the will is perverted, and the affections are corrupted. Instead of seeking happiness from God, the everlasting spring of all blessings, we naturally seek it in the foolish devices and imaginations of our own hearts.
This distance from God, our Lord sets forth in a just comparison, Matthew 7:13-14. Wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there are that go in thereat. Let me beg you to pay a particular attention to this remarkable scripture. In the broad way, there are many separate paths, which all run to the same dreadful end. The inclinations and passions of ungodly men may lead them to different follies and vices, while they are all living without Christ and far from righteousness. In the broad way is the path of gaiety, full of amusements and diversions. What glittering toys! what alluring vanities! what tempting baits are here held out to catch the careless, or to entice and delude the young. This flowery path, so plentifully furnished with enchanting charms, is travelled by all who are lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God. Near the path of gaiety, is the path of profligacy, in which are prodigals, wasting their substance in riotous living; adulterers and drunkards, glorying in their shame; liars and swearers, whose mouths are full of falsehood, cursing, and bitterness; gamesters and thieves, who live by plunder and violence, neither fearing God, nor regarding man; In the broad way, is the path of self-righteousness. This indeed is very lofty, and has a fair and showy appearance, but it is exceedingly dangerous. Here are the proud and high-minded, who boast of their good works, and dream of obtaining heaven by their own fancied merit. In the broad way are the crooked paths of deceit, full of traps and snares, and covered pit-falls. Here travel smooth-tongued dissemblers, and painted hypocrites. The path of covetousness is crowded with sordid worldlings, heaping up riches and lading themselves with thick clay. Now all these paths lead to destruction. This is not an airy fancy, but a certain fact. The words of Christ will be found true, whether you believe them or not. Consider, reader, whether you are not yet in this broad way. It is a thing which may be known, and ought to be determined without any delay. Perhaps you have passed from one path to another, but are still rushing on in the downward and dangerous road. O, stop, presumptuous sinner, in your mad career! With the deepest concern, and the tenderest affection, I would admonish and persuade you. If it were possible for me to save you by force, as the angel laid hold of Lot to lead him out of Sodom, I would gladly do it. But all I can do is, to reason with you, and try every argument and motive the most likely to reach the understanding, and touch the heart. It is probable you have heard many a loud call, and felt many a sharp check, and yet you drive on with fury! Whither are you moving with such hasty strides! What will be the end of your present course? Ah! you are fast going, perhaps far gone toward eternal perdition! There is but a step between you and death; and not a step between death and despair! The voice of heaven calls you to turn to God, from whom you have so deeply revolted. Except you be converted, and become as a little child, you can in no wise enter into the kingdom of God.
The impenitent are in a state of deep pollution.
There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet are not washed from their filthiness. It has been said, “ Man is a polished mirror, with one slight speck, vanity, and that speck is wiped off by death.” According to this fine flattering comparison, sin, it seems, must not be called a blot, nor even a stain, but a speck, a slight speck. Let us now examine what the word of God says respecting human nature, in its present state. He who sees into the heart, and will be the judge of all in the last day, must be allowed capable of giving the most just account of man. Turn to Genesis 6:5-12. And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earthy and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. If it should be thought this passage is a proof of the depravity of those only, who lived before the flood, turn to Job 15:14-16. What is man, that he should he clean, or he that is born of a woman, that he should be righteous? Behold, he putteth no trust in his saints, yea, the heavens are not clean in his sight; how much more abominable and filthy is man, which drinketh in iniquity like water? Our Lord, who perfectly knew what was in man, opens that fountain of corruption, that forge of iniquity—the carnal heart. Mark 8:21-23. For from within, out of the heart of man, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: all these evil things come from within and defile the man. Nor can it be truly said, that some are free from depravity and sin. Every branch from the stock of Adam is corrupt, though every branch does not bring forth the same quantity of bad fruit. For proof of this, look into Romans 3:9-12. What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise; for we have before proved, both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin. As it is written, there is none righteous no, not one; there is none that understandeth: there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Examine with care the scriptures just repeated. Here is a painting of man, drawn by hands which could not err! It is not suited to flatter self-love and vanity. Sin does not appear as a slight speck; it is the dark colouring that overspreads the whole piece. Do not turn away with levity or scorn, as if it no way concerned you. I have purposely held up this picture to your view, that you may try if you cannot perceive your own likeness. Yes! you need only look attentively, and you will find every line and every feature, every blot and every blemish in yourself. We may say of the scriptures, which I have been setting before you,

No glass can represent the face
More clearly, than these words your case.

Let it never be forgotten, that sorrow follows sin, as the shadow does the substance. Peter joins together the bond of iniquity and tChilo, one of the Greek wise men, when he was at the point of death, called his friends to him, and said, he could find nothing to repent of, in all his past life; not one fault except in a single instance, leaning a little too favourably to a friend in judgment. How blind must that man be who cannot see scarlet! Instead of saying you see nothing amiss in your past life, while you examine the scriptures, have you not reason to express yourself in the words of Job, “Behold, I am vile?” Are you not fully convinced, that, unless you are washed in the fountain opened for sin and uncleanness, and created anew in the image of Christ, you cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven?
The impenitent are in a state of guilt and condemnation.
It is awful to see a man, who has broken the laws of his country, trembling in his chains, as
he hears the sentence which declares him guilty. Condemned to die for his crimes, he feels a thousand horrors, before the hour of execution comes. But that man is in a far more dreadful condition, whom the sentence of the divine law dooms to eternal misery. God, as a God of justice, will not suffer his authority to be trampled upon by the wicked, without calling them to an account for it. Sin, says the apostle John, is the transgression of the law. And God keeps a book of remembrance, in which every vicious deed, every idle word, and every sinful thought, is registered. Now consider that it is said, “ Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things written in the book of the law to do them.” And can you believe this without trembling? Is there nothing to alarm you in the wrath of the Almighty? Can you sleep undisturbed, in carnal ease, while the curse of the most high God hangs over your guilty head? But, perhaps, you think yourself clear of the charge brought against you. When the words of the law are repeated, you are ready to cry, All these things have I kept from my youth up; I never committed theft, adultery, nor murder. But is it not possible, you may be too hasty in this matter? Take the trouble of weighing what Christ says of the law in Matthew 5:22-35. There you will find, that slightly uttering the name of God, is profaneness; a wanton look, is adultery; anger, without a just cause, is murder; a grasping eagerness after the world, is covetousness and idolatry. By proceeding in this way, you will be convinced, that, although men’s notions of duty and sin are very narrow, God’s commandments are exceeding broad. If the scriptures are to be believed, it is an undeniable truth, that, by the deeds of the law, shall no man living be justified. Not the least room is left for self-righteous pretenses and pleas. Every mouth is stopped, and the whole world is become guilty before God. There is no way of escaping the awful judgments of God, but by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 8:1. If you remain still in impenitence and unbelief, you are yet under the curse. He that believeth not is condemned already, and the wrath of God abideth on him. John 3:18-36.
The impenitent are in a state of bondage and misery.
How wretched was the condition of the Israelites in Egypt, when they were not only under the iron rod of Pharaoh, the great tyrant, but also under the smarting scourges of those petty tyrants, the task masters! Well might they sigh and sicken over their hard labours and unpitied woes: but the state of unconverted men is far worse. They sell themselves to do the vilest drudgery. They are the slaves of Satan, and the servants of sin.
Paul declares, that those who oppose themselves to the gospel, are led captive by the devil at his will. And whither are you likely to be conducted by such a leader? What reward can you expect to receive from such a master? He will draw you on, by little and little, into his snares and fetters, till you are as fast bound as if girt with chains of brass. He will promise many sweets, and give you the apples of Sodom; he will show you the glories of the world, and plunge you in the horrors of despair.
The apostle Peter speaks of some who boast of their liberty, and yet are the servants of corruption. Such persons yield up all their powers and members, as instruments of unrighteousness to sin. Romans 6:13. And O, what a wretched state is this! Yet every impenitent man is tied down by the base customs of an evil world, and given up to serve divers lusts and pleasures, those cruel task-masters which are never satisfied.he gall of bitterness. Solomon says, The way of transgressors is hard; and truly such as travel in that way not only forsake their own mercies, but multiply their miseries at every step. Be not deceived with appearances. While men are so jovial in their revels, how often, even when the face is gay, is the heart sad! Colonel Gardiner, while he was eagerly pursuing the vanities and follies of the world, appeared always so full of life and spirit, that he got the name of the happy rake; but, after he became a new man, he declared, that, at the very time when he seemed so merry, that others envied his pleasures, he was often so miserable in his own mind, as to wish himself a dog! It was a saying of Augustine,” The pleasures of sin are momentary; but its punishments are eternal.” These pleasures, even while they last, are mixed with bitterness.
I grant that there are some, who seem so completely stupefied, as not in the least to feel their wretchedness. But a time is coming, that will awake them from sleep, and put all their dreams to flight. Hear the prosperous worldling saying to himself, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years, take thine ease; eat, drink, and be merry. Luke 12:19. But hold, vain boaster! Those goods are not thy own. He who lent them, has not given up his right, nor forgotten his claim. Those many years, set down in thy reckoning, are not written in the book of God’s decrees. Hark! a messenger knocks at the door. This night thy soul is required of thee! Instead of taking thy ease, now go take thy trial. Amidst all the stores prepared for the perishing body, what provision hast thou for the immortal soul? Alas, poor wretch! thou hast had no shelter for it, but a refuge of lies; no clothing, but filthy rags; no food, but empty husks (Boston’s Fourfold State.). O miserable condition, for the soul to be hurried unpardoned, unpurified, and unprepared, into the presence of a righteous and all seeing Judge!
Let what has been said be applied to promote self-examination and humility.
If such, as hath just been described, is the state of the impenitent, let me in treat you, reader, to examine whether it be your present condition.
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 1 John, 1:8. And believe me, there is no kind of deception, into which you are so likely to fall, and which is so dangerous, as self-deception. When you are warned against it, do not imagine the caution is unnecessary. A well known writer has justly observed, “That it is as easy to deceive ourselves without perceiving it, as it is difficult to deceive others without being perceived.” Consider what Christ says to the church at Laodicea; Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked. Revelation 3:17. Do you desire to know how it is that men deceive themselves, as to their own state?
They call things by false names, and dress them in false colours.
Sin, though in itself black as hell, is whitened over with fine words and fair pleas. The most extravagant and mischievous outrages are softly termed the frolics of youth. Vain conversation, bubbling into frothy levity, or breaking out into filthy lewdness, is called harmless mirth. A compliance with idle fashions and dangerous amusements, is called seeing and knowing the world. Drinking, gaming, swearing, and Sabbath-breaking, are a gay life. On the other hand, pious men are named sour bigots, or sly hypocrites. Religion is termed a melancholy thing; and a strict regard to it, madness. Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Isaiah 5:20. Beware you do not fall under this woe. Let every disguise be torn way. Be willing to know the worst of yourself, that you may avoid delusion. I dare say you do not wholly deny your sin; but do not you spare it, and half excuse it? Perhaps your confession runs in such language as this: “I have been rather thoughtless, a little too wild; but I always intended to reform.” Or it may be, you compare yourself with others, and begin to sound the pharisee’s trumpet, saying, I am no extortioner, adulterer, nor drunkard: I have never gone the lengths that many have done: I do no one any harm; and if I be not safe, what will become of thousands ?” Now, be persuaded to examine yourself by the light of God’s holy law. Do not talk of what other men are, but of what you ought to be. Labour to gain a full view of the holiness and majesty of God; and then you will clearly perceive the infinite evil of sin, and your own depravity as a sinner. While a garment is kept in the dark, its filthiness is not seen; but bring it to the light, and every spot becomes visible.
Many are deceived as to their own state, because they are strangers to the heart.
If they keep free from gross vices and shocking crimes; if they are sober in their appetites, and honest in their dealings; if they behave decently towards their superiors, and attend constantly on public worship; they think themselves very good characters. They are whole, and need not a physician; safe, and look not for a Saviour. The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked, who can know it? Jeremiah 17:9. Does not the experience of every day confirm these words of the prophet? What maze has such windings, what cavern has such dark retreats? what whirlpool has such dangerous deeps and violent motions as the human heart? It is bad to have an enemy any where; it is worse to have one preparing schemes of mischief in your own house: but it is the worst of all, to have a secret plotting, and active working foe, within your own bosom. Though you may not be a base liar, a bold blasphemer, a beastly drunkard, or an impious scoffer; if the heart be not right with God, all must be wrong. Now look within, and see. Do not take this matter upon trust, but upon trial. I venture to declare, you will find every dark chamber of the heart, full of idols and abominations. Take the word of God as your light, and pray for the Holy Spirit as your guide, that you may examine those regions of the world within, to which you have been a stranger. Look into the imagination, and see what swarms of vain and sinful thoughts are there. Look into the understanding, and see what errors, prejudices, and delusions are there. Look into the conscience, and see what records of long forgotten sins, which must soon be read against you, are preserved there. Look into the affections, and see what storms of anger, fumes of pride, and flames of lust rise there. A little time spent in close self-examination may do you more good than reading a thousand books. Sometimes an instance, or a fact drawn from life, may not only bring with it great evidence, but also fix the attention and fasten on the memory. “A few years ago, two pious weavers were conversing together, and complaining of the trouble which they found from vain and evil thoughts, in the solemn duties of religion. Another person of the same business overheard them, and rushing forth said, I always thought you two vile hypocrites, but now I know it from your own confession. For my part, I never had any such vain and wicked thoughts in my life. One of the men took a piece of money out of his pocket, and put it into his hand, adding, this shall be yours, if after you come from church the next time, you can say you had not one vain thought there. In a few days he came, saying, here, take back your money, for I had not been five minutes in the church, before I began to think how many looms could be set up in it.” It is for want of watching; over the heart with godly jealousy, that so many are insensible of their sins. We see myriads of motes in a room when the sun shines, not one of which was beheld before.
If such as hath now been described, is our condition, what cause have we for deep humiliation.
Thus saith the Lord, I planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed; how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me? Jeremiah 2:21. Lord, what is man! where shall we find the fruits of righteousness in their season? Where now are holy love, cheerful resignation, and perfect obedience? Ah! it is mercy that has spared, year after year, the cumberer of the ground, for justice might have cut it down, and cast it into the fire.
God made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions. Where is the image of God, which consisted in knowledge and true holiness? Where is the glory which adorned the soul as it came out of the hands of its Maker? Lord, what is man! How is the gold become dim! how is the most fine gold changed! in place of the divine image, are seen the black marks of iniquity.
Could you enter a temple in ruins, without melancholy thoughts? Would you not say, how are beauty and grandeur turned into desolation? The lamps are extinguished; the altar is overturned; the glory is departed! And was not man made to be a temple for God? At first, the light of truth shone in his understanding, the language of praise flowed from his lips. Lord, what is man! How is this temple become a den of thieves! Where now is Paradise, with its blooming beauties, and sacred sweets? Speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee a lesson of humility. Where canst thou turn thine eye, or set thy foot, without finding proofs of thy depravity? Cursed is the ground for thy sake! thorns and thistles shall it bring forth unto thee. Gen. iii. 18. What are the pains which pierce the body, but the poisoned darts of sin f What are all the terrors of death, but the fruits of sin? Sin opened the sluices of divine wrath, and led into the world those floods of misery, which have spread their bitter waters over every land!. Well, then, may we humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, and cry, Lord, what is man, that thou art mindful of him, or the son of man, that thou visitest him?