Repentance
An evangelical grace wrought in the heart of a sinner by the Spirit and the Word, by which he is made sensible of his sin and misery and apprehends the mercy of God in Christ, grieves for and hates his sins, and turns from them unto God with full purpose of and endeavour after new obedience (WCF XV).
Westminster Confession
6 sections
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.
As there is no sin so small but it deserves damnation, so there is no sin so great that it can bring damnation upon those who truly repent.
Men ought not to content themselves with a general repentance, but it is every man's duty to endeavor to repent of his particular sins particularly.
As every man is bound to make private confession of his sins to God, praying for the pardon thereof, upon which, and the forsaking of them, he shall find mercy; so he that scandalizeth his brother, or the Church of Christ, ought to be willing, by a private or public confession and sorrow for his sin, to declare his repentance to those that are offended, who are thereupon to be reconciled to him, and in love to receive him.
Shorter Catechism
1 question
Repentance unto life is a saving grace, whereby a sinner, out of a true sense of his sin, and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ, doth, with grief and hatred of his sin, turn from it unto God, with full purpose of, and endeavour after, new obedience.
Larger Catechism
1 question
Repentance unto life is a saving grace, wrought in the heart of a sinner by the Spirit and word of God, whereby, out of the sight and sense, not only of the danger, but also of the filthiness and odiousness of his sins, and upon the apprehension of God's mercy in Christ to such as are penitent, he so grieves for and hates his sins, as that he turns from them all to God, purposing and endeavoring constantly to walk with him in all the ways of new obedience.
Sum of Saving Knowledge
2 sections
Head IV. The blessings which are effectually conveyed by these means to the Lord's elect §4 →
He does convert or regenerate them, by giving spiritual life to them, in opening their understandings, renewing their wills, affections, and faculties, for giving spiritual obedience to his commands.
He gives them saving faith, by making them, in the sense of deserved condemnation, to give their consent heartily to the covenant of grace, and to embrace Jesus Christ unfeignedly.
He gives them repentance, by making them, with godly sorrow, in the hatred of sin, and love of righteousness, turn from all iniquity to the service of God.
He sanctifies them, by making them go on and persevere in faith and spiritual obedience to the law of God, manifested by fruitfulness in all duties, and doing good works, as God offers occasion.
Together with this inward change of their persons, God changes also their state: for, so soon as they are brought by faith into the covenant of grace, he justifies them, by imputing to them that perfect obedience which Christ gave to the law, and the satisfaction also which upon the cross Christ gave to justice in their name.
He reconciles them, and makes them friends to God, who were before enemies of God. He adopts them, that they shall be no more children of Satan, but children of God, enriched with all spiritual privileges of his sons.
And, last of all, after their warfare in this life is ended, he perfects the holiness and blessedness, first of their souls at their death, and then both of their souls and their bodies, being joyfully joined together again in the resurrection, at the day of his glorious coming to judgment, when all the wicked shall be sent away to hell, with Satan whom they have served: but Christ's own chosen and redeemed ones, true believers, students of holiness, shall remain with himself for ever, in the state of glorification.
The Practical Use of Saving Knowledge: For convincing of sin by the law §5 →
The sum of the covenant of works, or of the law, is this: If thou do all that is commanded, and not fail in any point, thou shalt be saved: but if thou fail, thou shalt die.
The sum of the gospel, or covenant of grace and reconciliation, is this: If thou flee from deserved wrath to the true Redeemer Jesus Christ, (who is able to save to the uttermost all that come to God through him,) thou shalt not perish, but have eternal life.