4. Before sin is forgiven, it must be repented of
Therefore repentance and remission are linked together: ‘that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name’ (Luke 24:47). Not that repentance in a popish sense merits forgiveness. Christ’s blood must wash our tears away, but repentance is a qualification, though not a cause. He who is humbled for sin will value pardoning mercy the more. When there is nothing in the soul but clouds of sorrow, and now God brings a pardon – which is a setting up of a rainbow in the cloud, to tell the sinner that the flood of wrath shall not overflow him – oh, what joy there is at the sight of this rainbow! The soul that before was steeped in tears now melts in love to God (Luke 7:38,47).
~Thomas Watson~
The Godly Man’s Picture (Edinburgh, Scotland; The Banner of Truth Trust; 1992) p. 10.
The Old Guys 
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