Repentance, Grace & Life Eternal


Where true repentance is, there is the grace of God.
Where the grace of God is, there is Christ.
Where Christ is, there are His merits.
Where His merits are, there is satisfaction for sin.
Where satisfaction for sin is, there is righteousness.
Where righteousness is, there is a joyful and tranquil conscience.
Where a tranquil conscience is, there is the Holy Spirit.
Where the Holy Spirit is, there is the entire Most Holy Trinity.
Where the Holy Trinity is, there is eternal life.
Therefore, where true repentance is, there is eternal life.
Where true repentance is not present, there is neither the remission of sins,
                                                             nor the grace of God,
                                                             nor Christ.
                                                Neither His merits,
                                                             nor satisfaction for sin,
                                                             nor righteousness,
                                                             nor a tranquil conscience,
                                                             nor the Holy Spirit,
                                                             nor the Holy Trinity,
                                                             nor eternal life are present there. 
(Johann Gerhard, Sacred Meditations, iii, p.27)

As much as you approach God, that much you draw away from sin.
As much as you approach sin, that much you draw away from God.
How beneficial then is repentance, which draws one away from sin and returns him to God. 
(Johann Gerhard, Sacred Meditations, iii, p.29)