Point 3 This breast-plate of Righteousness is put on by the right practice of true repentance, 1which, according to the proper notation, and true meaning of thec word, is a change of the mind, namely, such a change as bringeth forth a reformed life. This true alteration of the mind and heart, first causeth a thorough detestation of our former wicked course, together with an utter abjuration, and renouncing of the same: and then an holy resolute purpose to lead another kind of life, and instead of former sins to practise contrary duties: as if a man in former times have been profane, to be so much the more religious for the time to come: if a blasphemer before, more careful to honour the Name of God; if riotous, so much the more sober, &c. These ared fruits worthy of repentance. So long as these two fruits of repentance, First, an utter detestation of all former wickedness, Secondly, a constant resolution, and faithful endeavour, to perform new obedience, remain in our hearts, the Devil cannot easily, if at all prevail against us. But if the mind be not altered, and a thorough change wrought therein, though there should be some means to restrain⟨p. 148⟩ us from sin, and provoke us to do many good things, yet would the Devil soon get advantage against us. eSin is deceitful;f Satan is subtle and busy; if therefore we be not altered in our hearts, the means of restraint being removed, soon shall we be brought to return unto our old wicked course, like theg dog to his vomit, and the sow to the mire: for though the sow be outwardly washed never so clean, yet because her swinish nature is not altered, so soon as she cometh at mud, she besmears her self again by wallowing in the mire.
Point 3 THis brest-plate of Righteousnesse is put on by the right practice of true repentance, 1which, according to the proper notation, and true meaning of thec word, is a change of the minde, namely, such a change as bringeth forth a reformed life. This true alteration of the minde and heart, first causeth a thorow detestation of our former wicked course, together with an vtter abiuration, and renouncing of the same: and then an holy resolute purpose to leade another kind of life, and insteed of former sinnes to practise contrary duties: as if a man in former times haue beene profane, to bee so much the more religious for the time to come: if a blasphemer before, more carefull to honour the Name of God; if riotous, so much the more sober, &c. These ared fruits worthy of repentance. So long as these two fruits of repentance, First, an vtter detestation of all former wickednesse, Secondly, a constant resolution, and faithfull endeauour, to performe new obedience, remaine in our hearts, the Diuell cannot easily, if at all preuaile against vs. But if the minde bee not altered, and a thorow change wrought therein, though there should bee some meanes to restraine⟨p. 148⟩ vs from sinne, and prouoke vs to doe many good things, yet would the Diuell soone get aduantage against vs. eSinne is deceitfull;f Satan is subtill and busie; if therefore wee bee not altered in our hearts, the meanes of restraint being remoued, soone shall wee be brought to returne vnto our old wicked course, like theg dogge to his vomit, and the sow to the mire: for though the sow be outwardly washed neuer so cleane, yet because her swinish nature is not altered, so soone as shee commeth at mud, shee besmeeres her selfe againe by wallowing in the mire.
- 1How Righteousness is put on.How Righteousnes is put on.
- c[Greek or Hebrew].〈non-Latin alphabet〉.
- dMat. 3. 8.
- eHeb. 3. 13.
- f1 Pet. 5 8.
- g2 Pet. 2. 23.
