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The apostle, like a wise physician, having discovered to the Jews the danger of their disease in the foregoing verses, now directs them to the only effectual remedy, viz Repentance: Repent and be converted; that is, repent of your rejecting Jesus Christ, and be converted to Christianity. To repent, doth denote a change in the mind and judgment: and to be converted, a change in the life and conversation. The exhortation doth denote our duty, and supposes our ability also, by the assistance of that grace, which will never be wanting to sincere endeavours. They were subjects recipient of that vis gratia verticordia, as St. Austin calls it, "The heart-changing power of the grace of God which could and did enable them to convert and turn to God.
Note farther, How this duty of repentance is urged from the effect and fruit, and profitable consequents of it.
1. Your sins shall be blotted out, a metaphor taken from creditors which have the books of accounts in which all debts and reckonings are set down.
2. The times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; by which some understand more generally the times of the gospel, others more particularly understand it of the time of Jerusalem's destruction; as if St. Peter had said, "Know, O my brethren, that the time of Christ's coming to Jerusalem to execute vengeance on his murtherers, is now at hand! Repent therefore speedily of what you have done, that those dreadful days to his enemies, may be days of refreshment to you." But the days of refreshment are thought by most to signify the day of judgment, which will be a day of refreshing ot all penitent sinners; because thay shall then enjoy a complete and full absolution from all their sins.
Note here, 1. That almighty God has his book of remembrance, in which he writes down all the sins which every person commits, in order to their accusation and charge.
2. That it is the great wisdom, interest and duty of every person, to take care that he gets his sins now blotted out of God's debt book, as ever he hopes that the reckoning day may be a day of refreshing to him.
3. That without repentance, conversion, and turning unto God, there will be no forgiveness, comfort, or refreshment from him. Repent, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshment shall come.
4. That a complete absolution and full discharge from all sin is not yet enjoyed, till the day of judgment. We are in this life continually subject to new sins; and consequently are daily contracting new guilt, whereby arise new fears; so that a soul has not a full rest till the final absolution be pronounced at that solemn day.