A09453:445
A Reformed Catholic
A reformed Catholic: or, A declaration showing how near we may come to the present Church of Rome in sundry points of religion: and wherein we must for ever depart from them with an advertisement to all favourers of the Roman religion, showing that the said religion is against the Catholic principles and grounds of the catechism.A reformed Catholike: or, A declaration shewing how neere we may come to the present Church of Rome in sundrie points of religion: and vvherein we must for euer depart from them with an advertisment to all fauourers of the Romane religion, shewing that the said religion is against the Catholike principles and grounds of the catechisme.
Cambridge: printed by John Legat, 1598Cambridge: printed by Iohn Legat, 1598
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Our consent.
Conclus. I. That, repentance is the conversion of a sinner. There is a twofold conversion, passive, and active: passive, is an action of God whereby he converteth man being as yet unconverted. Active is an action whereby man being once turned of God, turns himself: and of this latter must this conclusion be understood. For the first conversion, considering it is a work of God turning us unto himself, is not the repentance whereof the Scripture speaketh so oft, but it is called by the name of regeneration: and repentance, whereby we being first turned of God do turn our selves, and do good works, is the fruit thereof.
Conclus. I. That, repentance is the conuersion of a sinner. There is a twofold conuersion, passiue, and actiue: passiue, is an action of God whereby he conuerteth man beeing as yet vnconuerted. Actiue is an action wherby man beeing once turned of God, turnes himselfe: and of this latter must this conclusion be vnderstood. For the first cōuersion, considering it is a worke of God turning vs vnto himselfe, is not the repentance whereof the Scripture speaketh so oft, but it is called by the name of regeneration: and repentance, whereby we beeing first turned of God doe turne our selues, and doe good works, is the fruit thereof.
Conclus. II. That, repentance stands specially for practise, in contrition of heart, ⟨p. 317⟩confession of mouth, & satisfaction in work or deed. Touching contrition there be two kinds thereof; Legal, and Evangelical. Legal contrition is nothing but a remorse of conscience for sin in regard of the wrath and judgement of God, and it is no grace of God at all; nor any part, or, cause of repentance: but only an occasion thereof, and that by the mercy of God: for of it self, it is the sting of the law and the very entrance into the pit of hell. Evangelical contrition is, when a repentant sinner is grieved for his sins, not so much for fear of hell, or, any other punishment; as because he hath offended & displeased so good & merciful a God. This contrition is caused by the ministry of the Gospel, and in the practise of repentance it is always necessary, and goes before as the beginning thereof. Secondly we hold, and maintain that confession is to be made, and that in sundry respects: first to God, both publicly in the congregation, and also privately in our secret and private prayers. Secondly to the Church, when any person hath openly offended the congregation by any crime, and is