Doctrine of repentance - Watson - VIII - Chapters 8 and 9

Required reading

Doctrine of Repentance by Thomas Watson (available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example) - Read Chapters 8 and 9. 

My summary
The first chapter in today's reading gives cogent arguments to persuade speedy repentance:
(i) Now is the season of repentance, and everything is best done in its season;
(ii) The sooner you repent the fewer sins you will have to answer for;
(iii) The sooner we repent, the more glory we may bring to God;
(iv) It is of dangerous consequence to put off repentance longer;

The second chapter in today's reading outlines seven effects of repentance from 2 Corinthians 7:11 for those who claim to have repented to try themselves:
(i) Carefulness;
(ii) Clearing of ourselves;
(iii) Indignation;
(iv) Fear;
(v) Vehement desire;
(vi) Zeal;
(vii) Revenge.
 
Watson ends this chapter with two brief cautions regarding repentance and then three comforts for the repenting sinner. 

What grabbed me
The qualification at the end of chapter nine was important, that repentance is not meriorious as Roman Catholics claim: 'Indeed repentance fits us for mercy.  As the plough, when it breaks up the ground, fits it for the seed, so when the heart is broken up by repentance, it is fitted for remission, but it does not merit it.  God will not save us without repentance, nor yet for it.  Repentance is a qualification, not a cause.  I grant repenting tears are precious...But yet, tears are not satisfactory for sin.  We drop sin with our tears, therefore they cannot satisfy...Christ's blood only can merit pardon.  We please God by repentance but we do not satisfy him by it.  To trust to our repentance is to make it a saviour.  Though repentance helps to purge out the filth of sin, yet it is Christ's blood that washes away the guilt of sin.  Therefore do not idolize repentance.  Do not rest upon this, that your heart has been wounded for sin, but rather that your Saviour has been wounded for sin.  When you have wept, say with him: Lord Jesus, wash my tears in thy blood.'  

Yesterday in our reading of John Murray's chapter one in part two of Redemption Accomplished and Applied, I noticed how Murray said that we are not saved because of our faith.  Now Watson also says repentance does not cause satisfaction for sin.  Both faith and repentance are qualifications for salvation, but cannot be said to be causal of salvation. 

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.