The rules, orders and regulations, of the Magdalen House, for the reception of penitent prostitutes.

  • Magdalen Hospital (London, England)
Date:
1759
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The rules, orders and regulations, of the Magdalen House, for the reception of penitent prostitutes. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    / [ 6 ] yet manifeft not a fincere repentance, vain and falle is every expectation of forgivenefs. Repentance, be informed, is not merely a word, nor doth it folely confift in forrow for fin : true and genuin repentance, fuch as God requires, and will accept, is a fincere and forrowful fenfe of our pad mifdoings, as difhonourable to God, and deftrudtive to our own fouls; is a firm refolution to leave thofe practices, which we are forry for ; is a putting that refolution into aft. In one word, it is leaving the ways, as well as being grieved for the works of fin. The Prodigal Son, not only was fenfible of his own mifery, and his ill con¬ duct to his father, not only refolved to arife and go to him, but actually arofe> went and confeffed his unworthinefs and determination to alter his life *. If then you are bleft with this happy repentance—are forry for, and a£tu- ally endeavour to change your life, and for fake your evil conduct, then in true faith, then fincerely believing that Chrift died for finners, and offers pardon to the penitent, apply to him in lowly confeflion, and reft fatisfied, that he will never caft you out. This is the ftate to which we would defire to introduce you, through God’s grace, and for that purpofe nothing is here wanting. But we muff urge one fur¬ ther confideration of vad moment to you ; namely, that as to obtain free par¬ don through Chrift, an adtual forfaking of fin is requifite, fo a date of pardon implies and demands a new life, and there is nothing which can fatisfadtorily witnefs either to yourfelves or to others your real penitence and faith, but your future adtive obedience and unfeigned humility. We muft expedt therefore to fee, i. In the public worjhip of God, the mod: fober, ferious, and religious de¬ portment. The lead appearance of levity there will damp all our hopes, Confider, in that holy fervice, the eye of infinite purity is full upon you, fee¬ ing into the very fecrets of your hearts ; and therefore imagine yourfelves ever in his fight, and give place to no unhallowed and unbecoming thoughts* But full of thankfulnefs for the rich mercies Ihewn you, join with fervent fouls in the fervice, and let your hearts ever keep pace with your lips. Human nature is fo imperfedt, that, fpite of our belt endeavours, our wretched thoughts will but too eafily wander even in the holieft duties. This fliould not difcourage you when it happens, but make you more humble and more watchful * and it will be ferviceable to you to be exadtly careful * See Luke, xv. in