A13257:129
A confession of faith made by common consent of divers reformed churches beyond the…A confession of fayth made by common consent of diuers reformed churches beyonde the…
A confession of faith made by common consent of divers reformed churches beyond the seas: with an exhortation to the reformation of the Church. Perused and allowed according to the Queens Majesties injunctions.A confession of fayth made by common consent of diuers reformed churches beyonde the seas: with an exhortation to the reformation of the Churche. Perused and allowed accordinge to the Queenes Maiesties iniunctions.
London: printed by Henry Wykes for Lucas Harrison, 1568
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.
The Gospel hath joined unto 1it, the doctrine of Repentance: For so said the Lord: Repē pentaunce ⟨p. 36⟩and remission of since, must be preached in my name, to all nations. By repentance we understand, the amendment of the mind, in the sinful man, provoked thereunto by the preaching of the Gospel, and inward working of the holy ghost, and received with true saith, whereby the sinner doeth strait way acknowledge his natural corruption: and all his since reproved by the word of God, and being heartily sorry for the same, doeth not only bewail his iniquities, but being ashamed thereof, confess them, but also with disdain detest them, minding earnestly to amend, and always endeavouring to lead an innocent and virtuous life, as long as he liveth. And this assuredly 2is unfeigned repentance, to wit, a true conversion to God and all goodness, with a speedy departure from satan, and all evil. We also plainly affirm, that this repentance is the mere gift of God, and not the work of our 3strength: For the Apostle biddeth a faithful minister, diligently to instruct ⟨image 80⟩them, which resist the truth, assaying, if God at any time, will give them repentance, that they may know the truth. Moreover the sinful woman, mentioned in the Gospel, (who washed Christs feet with her tears, and Peter, who wept bitterly, be wailing 4his denial of Christ, do plainly declare unto us, what manner of mind, the penitent should have, when he earnestly lamenteth his sins, which he hath committed. The prodigal son also, and the Publican, mentioned in the Gospel, and compared with the Pharisee, are fit examples for us to imitate, in confessing our sins. The prodigal son said: Father, I have sinned against heaven, & in thy sight, now I am not worthy to be called thy soon, make me as one of thy hired servants. The Publican, not being so bold, as to lift up his eyes to heaven, knocking his breast, cried, O God be merciful to me a sinner. These penitent offenders, we doubt not, but that God received again to his mercy and favour. For John the