1.
The self judgment we pass on ourselves in view of God’s
goodness.[i]
2.
Taking God’s side against ourselves.[ii]
3.
Turning from self to God.[iii]
4.
Repentance is the abandonment of self altogether, the
judgment of what we are in the light of God.[iv]
5.
In repentance the bent of life is changed by the
apprehension of God.[v]
6.
Repentance is the
judgment we form, under the effect of God's testimony, of all in ourselves to
which that testimony applies. Hence it is always founded on faith: I do not say
the faith of the gospel. That may be its source; but we may repent through the
testimony of God to the soul, and afterwards receive those glad tidings.
Conversion itself may follow repentance; that is, conversion as the full
deliberate turning of the heart to God. "Repent," says Peter,
"and be converted." (Acts 3: 19.) Conversion is the turning of the
will to God. Repentance (μετ_νοια) is the
changed thought, or judgment, we have of things, bringing in with it often,
when it concerns self, the sense of a change of feeling.[vi]