Edwards:It is in vain for us to profess that we know God, if in works we deny him, Titus. 1:16.

Practice is the proper proof of the true and saving knowledge of God; as appears by that of the apostle already mentioned, “hereby do we know that we know him, that we keep his commandments.” It is in vain for us to profess that we know God, if in works we deny him, Titus. 1:16.

And if we know God, but glorify him not as God; our knowledge will only condemn us, and not save us, Rom. 1:21. The great note of that knowledge which saves and makes happy, is, that it is practical: John 13:17, “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” Job 28:28, “To depart from evil is understanding.”

Holy practice is the proper evidence of repentance. When the Jews professed repentance, when they came confessing their sins, to John, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; he directed them to the right way of getting and exhibiting proper evidences of the truth of their repentance, when he said to them, “Bring forth fruits meet for repentance,” Matt. 3:8. Which was agreeable to the practice of the Apostle Paul; see Acts 26:20. Pardon and mercy are from time to time promised to him who has this evidence of true repentance, that he forsakes his sin, Prov. 28:13, and Isa. 55:7, and many other places.

Edwards, J. (1996). A treatise concerning religious affections: in three parts ... Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

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