The Way of Repentance

Do not expect to arrive in heaven without walking the way of repentance.

Consider the weight of Jesus’s words: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt. 4:17). If repentance is necessary for eternal life, we would do well to understand it, take it to heart, and put it into action.

In The Way of Repentance, William Perkins carefully explains the nature and practice of repentance in the Christian life. He goes on to remind us that it is a matter of kingdom warfare, describing this call to repentance as a lifelong battle with our sinful flesh. Finally, Perkins extends a powerful exhortation to personal repentance. The way of repentance is not easy, but by God’s grace, you will see that the destination is more than worth the fight.

Endorsement

“Christians in all ages are tempted to take a therapeutic approach to sin, as something to be managed versus fiercely combated. Through the outstanding editorial work of Stephen Yuille, the church is richly blessed to have William Perkins still speaking about sin with such relevance. May we read, meditate on, and ultimately heed the timeless truths of this volume for the sake of our souls and God’s glory.”
—W. Britt Stokes, founder and president of Propago Ministries, Charleston, South Carolina

Contents

Preface
Introduction

The Nature and Practice of Repentance

1. The Nature of Repentance
2. The Cause of Repentance
3. The Work of Repentance
4. The Parts of Repentance
5. The Degrees of Repentance
6. Examining the Conscience
7. Confessing Sin
8. Seeking Forgiveness
9. The Misery of Sin
10. The Fear of Judgment
11. God’s Purpose and Promise
12. The Time of Repentance
13. Troubling Questions
14. Counterfeit Repentance

The Combat Between the Flesh and the Spirit

15. The Combat
16. The Nature of the Combat
17. The Manner of the Combat
18. In the Mind
19. In the Will
20. The Purpose of the Combat
21. The Subject of the Combat
22. The Result of the Combat
23. Lessons

A Powerful Exhortation to Repentance

23. Searching
25. Searching Closely
26. Searching Carefully
27. Searching Profitably
28. The Guilt of Original Sin
29. The Corruption of Original Sin
30. The Consequence of Original Sin
31. An Exhortation
32. The Object of Searching
33. The Subject of Searching
34. The Time of Searching
35. The Reason for Searching
36. A Winnowing Time
37. One Thing Needed
38. A Free Offer