A Golden Chain

And to direct thee somewhat in the practise of repentance, I have penned this small treatise: use it for thy benefit, and see thou be a doer of it: unless thou wilt be a wilful murderer, and shed the blood of thine own soul.

And to direct thee somewhat in the practise of repentance, I haue penned this small treatise: vse it for thy benefit, and see thou be a doer of it: vnlesse thou wilt be a wilfull murderer, and shed the blood of thine owne soule.

And whereas there have been published heretofore in English two sermons of Repentance, one by M. Bradford Martyr, the other by M. Arthur Dent: sermons indeed which have done much good: my meaning is not to add thereunto, or to teach any other doctrine, but only to renew and revive the memory of that which they have taught.

And whereas there haue beene published heretofore in English two sermons of Repentance, one by M. Bradford Martyr, the other by M. Arthur Dent: sermons indeed which haue doone much good: my meaning is not to adde therunto, or to teach any other doctrine, but onely to renew and reuiue the memorie of that which they haue taught.

Neither let it trouble thee that the principal Divines of this age, whom in this treatise I follow, may seem to be at difference in treating of repentance. For some make it a fruit of faith containing two parts, Mortification and Vivification: ^asome make faith a part of it, by dividing it into contrition, faith, new obedience: ^bsome make it all one with regeneration. The difference is not in the substance of doctrine, but in the logical manner of handling it. And the difference of handling ariseth of the divers acception of repentance. It is taken two ways, generally and particularly. Generally for the whole conversion of a sinner, and so it may contain contrition, faith, new obedience under it, and be confounded with regeneration. It is taken particularly for the renovation of the life and behaviour: and so it is a fruit of faith. And this only sense do I follow in this treatise.