A17219:317
Questions of religion cast abroad in Helvetia by the adversaries of the sameQuestions of religion cast abroad in Helvetia by the aduersaries of the same
Questions of religion cast abroad in Helvetia by the adversaries of the same: and answered by M. H. Bullinger of Zurick: reduced into .17. common places. Translated into English by John Cox. 1572Questions of religion cast abroad in Helvetia by the aduersaries of the same: and aunswered by M. H. Bullinger of Zurick: reduced into .17. common places. Translated into Englishe by Iohn Coxe. 1572
London: printed by Henry Bynneman for George Byshop, 1572London: printed by Henrie Bynneman for George Byshop, 1572
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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 Answer.
The Answere.
There are many things written in the Holy scripture of repentance, and the amendment of life both in the New and Old testament. For ⟨p. 109⟩the doctrine of repentance is very necessary1 and profitable for all Christians. And this word Repentance seemeth to come of this word repairing: as when torn, broken, or things rent, are renewed and repaired. The Hebrews call repentance returning or converting to God. But he which is returned to God, ought first necessarily to know and understand how he fell from him, and to know what God is, how we fall from him, and how we ought to turn to him again. So that he which must repent, ought to know his own naughtiness and wickedness, and also by what means the same may be amended which is broken or spoiled. And these things can in no wise be don of any wretched sinner, onlesse they be drawn hereunto, and therein instructed by the spirit and word of God, which they must also most steadfastly believe. For these things are so necessarily required, that onlesse GOD by grace through his spirit open and draw the heart of the sinner, and by his word show us the perfect way, govern and ⟨image 120⟩keep us in the same, give us true faith2 whereby to quicken and justify us, that onlesse I say, he give us these, all repentance, how hard or grievous soever it seem, is no true repentance. Let Judas be an example hereof, who repenting for his sins, confessed the same to the Priests in the Temple, saying: I have betrayed the innocent blood. Yea and he in this part made satisfaction, that he threw the unrighteous price of blood into the temple. But what did this repentance profit him, although it had in it contrition, confession, and satisfaction? they helped him nothing at all: and because he lacked true faith, he despaired, and hung him self. On the other side, the Lord looking back upon Peter, and the Cock crowing, he remembered the words of the Lord, and believing them departed from the wicked company, wept for his sins, and amended his faults: and this his repentance was a true and perfect repentance. And Jeremiah the Prophet confirmeth this doctrine, who in his. 31. chapter prayeth to the Lord, saying: