A09473:33
Two treatises· I. Of the nature and practise of repentance. II. Of the combat…Tvvo treatises· I. Of the nature and practise of repentance. II. Of the combat…
Two treatises· I. Of the nature and practise of repentance. II. Of the combat of the flesh and spirit.Tvvo treatises· I. Of the nature and practise of repentance. II. Of the combat of the flesh and spirit.
Cambridge: printed by John Legate printer to the University of Cambridge. 1593., 1593Cambridge: printed by Iohn Legate printer to the Vniversitie of Cambridge. 1593., 1593
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.
Some may object, that repentance goes before all grace, because it is first preached. The first sermon that ever was made was of repentance preached by God himself in paradise to our first parents. And ever since the sermons of all the prophets and Apostles and of all faithful ministers have had repentance for their beginning ⟨p. 3⟩and scope. The answer hereto may be this. If we respect the order of nature, there be other graces of God which go before repentance▪ because a mans conscience must in some part be settled touching his reconciliation with God in Christ, before he can begin to repent. wherefore justification & sanctification in order of nature go before repentance. But if we respect time, grace & repentance are both togi there. So soon as there is fire so soon it is hot: & so soon as a man is regenerate, so soon he repents. If we respect the outward manifestation of these twain, repentance goes before all other graces: because it first of all appears outwardly. Regeneration is like the sap of the tree that lies hid within the bark: repentance is like the bud that speedily shows itself, before either blossom, leaf, or fruit appear: yea, all other graces of the heart which are needful to salvation, are made manifest by repentance. And for this cause Repentance (as I take it) is first preached.
Some may obiect, that repentance goes before all grace, because it is first preached. The first sermon that ever was made was of repentance preached by God himselfe in paradise to our first parents. And ever since the sermons of al the prophets and Apostles and of all faithful ministers haue had repentance for their beginning ⟨p. 3⟩and scope. The answere hereto may be this. If we respect the order of nature, there be other graces of God which goe before repentance▪ because a mans conscience must in some part be setled touching his reconciliatiō with God jn Christ, before he can begin to repent. wherfore iustificatiō & sanctification in order of nature go before repentāce. But if we respect time, grace & repentance are both togi ther. So soone as there is fire so soone it is hot: & so soone as a man is regenerate, so soone he repents. If we respect the outward manifestation of these twaine, repentance goes before all other graces: because it first of all appeares outwardly. Regeneration is like the sap of the tree that lies hid within the barke: repentance is like the bud that speedily shews itself, before either blossom, leaf, or fruit appeare: yea, all other graces of the heart which are needfull to salvation, are made manifest by repentance. And for this cause Repentance (as I take it) is first preached.