Repentance Explained And Enforced Main Page

EARNESTLY CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH:
REPENTANCE EXPLAINED AND ENFORCED
by
JOHN THORNTON
(A PDF Copy Of The Complete Book Is Available Here)
(A WordPerfect Version Of The Complete Book Is Located Here)

THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS
GOD MANIFEST IN THE FLESH.
THAT IS WHY HE IS GOD

Preface Introduction To The New Haven Edition

Chapter 1: On The State Of The Impenitant Chapter 2: On The Nature Of Repentance

Chapter 3: On The Necessity Of Repentance Chapter 4: On The Means Of Promoting Repentance

Chapter 5: On The Evidences Of Repentance Chapter 6: On The Encouragements Given To The Penitent

Prayers

A note from the editor: All Scripture references that were given in Roman numeral format in the original book have been changed to standard numbering format. For example Psalm cxxxiv. 1,2 has been changed to Psalm 134:1-2. John Thornton was inconsistent in providing Scripture references even when he italicized a scripture quote. No attempt has been made to add the appropriate Scripture references. If you notice errors in this document, we would appreciate an e-mail from you identifying the specific errors to comments@earnestlycontendingforthefaith.com.

PREFACE.

When Christ was upon earth, he went about doing good; instructing the ignorant, healing the sick, and comforting the mourners. All who profess to love him and cordially receive his doctrine, ought to copy his example. And it must be acknowledged, that, of late years, Christians of different denominations have shown an increased zeal in promoting the cause of pure religion. Among the various means of doing good, may be numbered the giving away or lending of pious books. Those who diligently and prudently use these means, will seldom fail to see some happy effects produced; and much of the seed, which is thus sown, may spring up when the hands that scattered it are mouldering in the dust. For the encouragement of benevolent endeavours in this way, I shall mention the following anecdote.—When a great work of God was going on at Truro, under the ministry of that excellent clergyman, Mr. Walker, there were about one hundred and sixty soldiers wintering in the town. The first thing he did, was to give to every man Reynold’s Compassionate Address believing it a tract, for its size and matter, the fittest in the world for their use. Out of the hundred and sixty, in less than three weeks, a full hundred of them came to his house, asking what they must do to be saved. Their very countenances were changed; and, with tears bursting from their eyes, they
confessed their exceeding sinfulness and danger! But even where effects are not so speedily and strikingly manifest; as in this instance, there may be much evil prevented, and much good done, by giving away little books on serious and interesting subjects.
The design of the following pages is, to open the nature, to prove the necessity, and to point out the means and evidences of evangelical repentance. By all who pay any regard to religion, the subject is acknowledged to be of the highest importance. I have constantly kept in view the lower classes. For them chiefly, though not wholly,.is this little book intended. It has, therefore, been my wish and aim, to bring down the language to a level with the capacities of the uneducated. Those
who have been accustomed to read books which contain the richest treasures of learning, and the finest beauties of language, will find nothing here to gratify their taste. Should such glance into this work, the familiar anecdotes, and the plain, homely comparisons they meet, may be thought to descend too low for the dignity of the subject. Let it, however, be recollected, that what appears gross or trite to one, may be I too refined and abstruse for another. Those who are little acquainted with the poor and illiterate, can scarcely have an idea how difficult it is to render religious truth sufficiently palpable and pointed to make any impression upon them. My chief fear, therefore, is, not that I have sunk the language below the mark required, but that it is, after all my endeavours, still too high.
That many have written well on the doctrine of repentance, I grant: but the subject is mingled with others in voluminous works. I have not seen a treatise on this all-important topic, in a small compass, and in a plain style. Had I known any thing which appeared well-adapted to answer the same end, I should certainly have spared my labour.
I am not without hope, that masters, or heads of families, may be induced to give this, with other serious books, to their servants; and that those who have the means and the will to do good, may feel disposed to spread it among their neighbours.
We live in an age, when various plans for the instruction of the poor are every day receiving additional encouragement. So numerous are Sunday schools, and so active are those who teach and conduct them, that we may reasonably hope, in a short time, there will be but comparatively few among the lower classes that cannot read. And is it not desirable, that they should be furnished with serious and suitable books? Considering the multitude of loose and dangerous publications which are continually issuing from the press, it is surely necessary that the friends of religion should do all they can to pre-occupy the ground, or to provide antidotes where the poison has begun to take effect.
If this small work should be blessed of God as the means of exciting a deep and serious concern about the “One thing needful,” in any who receive it, I shall think myself well rewarded. May that Being, from whom cometh every blessing, cause the influence of his grace to accompany it to many hearts!

INTRODUCTION

TO THE NEW HAVEN EDITION

The frequent calls for the following work, and the testimony born to its merits, by many faithful and experience clergyman, who have made use of it in their parishes, have induced the publisher to offer a new addition, in the present cheap and convenient form.
The principal portion of the Arthur’s preface, being wholly inapplicable to the state of things in this country, it has been deemed advisable to retain only so much of it as may be necessary to explain the object of the work. With this omission, and the addition of a few short forms of prayer, which may be found convenient and useful and directing the devotions of the honest and anxious inquirer, this edition presents the work precisely in its original form. The six chapters which constitute the entire body of the work, remain without the slightest alteration.
It was the design of the Arthur of this work, to furnish a plane and concise treatise on one of the most important subjects connected with the doctrines of the gospel:— “to open the nature— to prove the necessity— and to point out the means and evidences of evangelical repentance.” “Many (the author admits) have written well on the doctrine of repentance; but the subject is mingled with others, and voluminous works.” He felt the necessity, therefore, of preparing a treatise on this all-important topic, in a small compass, and in a plain style—that it might best obtain a general circulation among all classes of people. The giving away or lending of books of this description, is among the means of promoting the cause of religion at the present day; and the Arthur correctly remarks, that “those who diligently imprudently use these means, will seldom failed to see some happy affect produced; and much of the seed which is thus sown, may spring up when the hands that scattered it or moldering in the dust.”
“If this small work (adds the author) should be blessed of God as a means of exciting a deep and serious concern about the ONE THING NEEDFUL, is any who receive it, I shall think myself well rewarded. May that Being, from whom cometh every blessing, cause the influence of his grace to accompany it too many hearts”.