The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Godly Repentance / Conviction of Sin

Those who are burdened and labor under the guilt of sin are called to come AS THEY ARE and Christ promises to relieve them of their guilt and find rest. No one can make themselves worthy in order to go to Christ. It is sinners who Christ came for and calls and not the righteous.

Sinclair Ferguson at the Banner of Truth Pastor's Conference held at Wheaton College in 1978 made mention of John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress when dealing with the theological and practical issues of another book. That book was The Marrow of Modern Divinity by Edward Fisher. The uproar that arose at its publication was in regard to the examination of prospective ministers and was (paraphrased) "is it necessary for a man to repent of his sins before he is able [warranted] to go to the cross and believe upon Christ unto justification/salvation?" Sinclair said that if one agreed with this statement, then justification is not all of grace but of works and in essence a denial of biblical Calvinism. He said that Bunyan erred on this issue in his book. For Christian was in need to remove his "burden" before he went to the cross.

The Marrow Brethren, though rejecting universal atonement, held to common grace and that in some way God desires the salvation of all.[8] They attacked "High Calvinism", and sought to clear the gospel out of any other conditions other than faith. The Marrow Brethren denied that actions such as repentance, with either inward or outward reformation, are necessary to receive salvation, but saw them as naturally flowing from receiving Christ.[9][10]
The Marrow Brethren taught a form of the republication of the covenant of works.[11] while maintaining the Mosaic Covenant was an administration of the Covenant of Grace. The Marrow had a high emphasis on the possibility of assurance,[12] seeing the work of Christ as the foundation of the believer's assurance, while the general Assembly emphasized the human element in having assurance.[13] The Marrow Men maintained a belief in the Scottish covenants even renewing them after the Secession.

The grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their souls, is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts; and is ordinarily wrought by the ministry of the Word: by which also, and by the administration of the sacraments, and prayer, it is increased and strengthened.

By this faith, a Christian believeth to be true whatsoever is revealed in the Word, for the authority of god himself speaking therein; and acteth differently, upon that which each particular passage thereof containeth; yielding obedience to the commands, trembling at the threatenings, and embracing the promises of God for this life, and that which is to come. But the principle acts of saving faith are, accepting, receiving, and resting upon Christ alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life, by virtue of the covenant of grace. ~ WCF 14:1, 2

Repentance unto life is an evangelical grace, the doctrine whereof is to be preached by every minister of the gospel, as well as that of faith in Christ.

By it a sinner, out of the sight and sense, not only of the danger, but also of the filthiness and odiousness of his sins, as contrary to the holy nature and righteous law of God, and upon the apprehension of his mercy in Christ to such as are penitent, so grieves for, and hates his sins, as to turn from them all unto God, purposing and endeavoring to walk with him in all the ways of his commandments.

Although repentance be not to be rested in as any satisfaction for sin, or any cause of the pardon thereof, which is the act of God's free grace in Christ; yet is it of such necessity to all sinners, that none may expect pardon without it. ~ WCF 15:1-3