"This contrition of the heart": an early PECUSA Lenten sermon
Today's extract, from a Lenten sermon on Roman 2:4, "The goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance", demonstrates the doctrine and practice of repentance that was vital to Old High piety, with roots in the Tillotsonian temper which shaped the Old High tradition.
We see here a sober piety and a serious duty of repentance, starkly contrasting with the revivalist notions of repentance that would be evident in the populist evangelicalism of both the ante-bellum States and Victorian England.
It is this contrition of the heart which God approves, for this is a living and operative principle, which will not fail to make disobedience odious, and to cause him who feels it, to tremble at God's word, lest at any time he transgresses his commandments. To perfect the idea of repentance, then, we must include in it that which is its object and end, and without which it is but an empty name, the amendment of the life. The true penitent will supplicate his merciful Father, for Jesus Christ's sake, that he may ever "live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of God's holy name;" and to his prayers he will add the whole force of watchfulness and of exertion, to overcome temptation, and to resist evil. He will be supported, and encouraged to persevere, by a scriptural faith; for knowing that his sins are all his own, that God abhors them, and wishes him to be delivered from their influence, he will not doubt of the succour of his grace. And since Jesus Christ shed his blood for those who were yet sinners, he is assured, that he will redeem from the power of sin them who meekly turn unto him, with the purpose of leading a new life, striving to do his will. Hope arises from the conviction that God will cherish his reformation, that he will prosper his efforts, that he will acknowledge and receive him as his child, and make him a partaker of all the blessings of holiness and salvation, which the Saviour of the world, by his precious blood-shedding, hath obtained for his followers. This repentance, originating in such a contrition, and inducing the sincere desire evermore to please and obey God, is that which the Gospel requires; and no individual who is in earnest for his eternal welfare, will think it an unreasonable or too difficult a service. On the contrary, when we have thus confessed our sins, and deprecated their punishment, when we have mourned our ingratitude, renounced our errors, and found forgiveness with God, repentance, so far from being irksome, is full of joy, and spreads over the soul a peace which the world knoweth not.
My brethren, how kind and how gracious is that admonitory voice of religion, which calls men to judge themselves, that they be not judged of the Lord, that bids them remember their sins now, that they be not remembered against them at the last day, that invites them now to lay open before the great Physician the corruptions of their own hearts, that the blood of atonement and of healing may be poured in, and they be saved to life eternal. Let us beware that at this solemn season, dedicated by the Church to a careful examination of our spiritual state, we dissemble not with ourselves in this great preparation for duly receiving the Gospel. Let us not make our repentance imperfect by any concealments, excuses, or reservations; or our obedience partial, by omissions on the one hand, or indulgences on the other. Our own is the danger, and our own will be the loss, if we do. But if, "with a true penitent heart and lively faith," we resolve to glorify God in a new life, "following his commandments, and walking from henceforth in his holy ways," great will be our advantage. The heart will be lightened of its burden by the humble acknowledgment of its sins. A sense of forgiveness will elevate the soul to God in acts of praise, and thanksgiving, and reverent devotion. And the Most High, who regards with favour the meek and contrite spirit, will come and dwell there with his grace.
(The painting is George Harvey, 'Nightfall, St. Thomas Church, Broadway, New York', c. 1837.)
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