In true repentance the heart points directly to God, as the needle to the north pole. It is not consistent with the holiness of God's nature to pardon a sinner while he is in the act of rebellion. O meet God, not with weapons, but tears in your eyes. It is the spirits of mischief distilled. It is compared to a plague-sore.
Nothing so changes one's glory into shame as sin.
Without repentance sin tends to final damnation. Sin unrepented of ends in a tragedy. It has the devil for its father, shame for its companion, and death for its wages. Say not it is sweet. Repentance is very pleasing to God.