Hence we learn that we can look for no pardon from the Lord unless we forthwith repent us of our sins: for whosoever he be that flatters himself in his filthiness, he shall assuredly pull down the wrath of God upon his own head, which he ceaseth not to inflame against him. Our iniquity then is taken away when we are touched with a true feeling of repentance. In the second place observe, that albeit repentance be an inward affection of the heart, yet it stays not there, but brings forth fruits to the view of men. For it is in vain to make men believe we fear God, unless we cause our light so to shine before them by our outward works: for we can not separate the root from the fruit. Thirdly we have to note, that the Prophet mentions Idolatry principally in this place, because it is the fountain from whence all evils flow. For whilst Gods pure worship and sincere religion florisheth, you shall see the duties of charity necessarily to flow from thence:1 but we no sooner forsake God, but he forthwith lets us fall into all sorts of vices. And this is the main reason why he comprehends all kinds of wickednesses under the name of Idolatry. Besides, we see that he not only condemns Images and Idols, but whatsoever the Jews had invented without the prescript rule of the law: whence it follows, that all will-worship is rejected of GOD.2 Where he adds in the end, that they shall no more arise or stand up: he shows how odious a thing Idolatry is in Gods sight, seeing he will have the very memory thereof to be quite abolished, so as afterwards there should no sign thereof be left at all. And yet the Prophet meant to express somewhat more, to wit, that our repentance should be such, as that we ought to persevere therein constantly unto the end. For we call not that true repentance when men are only moved upon some sudden passion to renounce and abolish their superstitions, and then forthwith to suffer them to sprout and increase again, which yet we see comes often to pass in many, who in the beginning seemed to be consumed with zeal in an outward show, and within a while have grown key cold again. But the Prophet here notes out such a constant zeal,3 that those who have once begun to forsake and renounce their abominations, hold out and persevere in a good course unto the end.
Hence we learne that we can looke for no pardon from the Lord vnlesse we forthwith repent vs of our sinnes: for whosoeuer he be that flatters himselfe in his filthines, he shall assuredlie pull downe the wrath of God vpon his owne head, which he ceaseth not to inflame against him. Our iniquitie then is taken away when we are touched with a true feeling of repentance. In the second place obserue, that albeit repentance be an inward affection of the heart, yet it stayes not there, but brings forth fruites to the view of men. For it is in vaine to make men beleeue we feare God, vnlesse we cause our light so to shine before them by our outward works: for we can not separate the roote frō the fruite. Thirdly we haue to note, that the Prophet mentions Idolatrie principallie in this place, because it is the fountaine from whence all euils flowe. For whilest Gods pure worship and sincere religion florisheth, you shall see the duties of charitie necessarilie to flow frō thence:1 but we no sooner forsake God, but he forthwith lets vs fall into all sorts of vices. And this is the maine reason why he comprehends all kinds of wickednesses vnder the name of Idolatrie. Besides, we see that he not only condemnes Images and Idols, but whatsoeuer the Iewes had inuented without the prescript rule of the law: whence it followes, that all will-worship is reiected of GOD.2 Where he addes in the end, that they shall no more arise or stand vp: he shewes how odious a thing Idolatrie is in Gods sight, seeing he will haue the very memorie thereof to be quite abolished, so as afterwards there should no signe thereof be left at all. And yet the Prophet meant to expresse somewhat more, to wit, that our repentance should be such, as that we ought to perseuere therein cōstantlie vnto the end. For we call not that true repentance when men are only moued vpon some sudden passion to renounce and abolish their superstitions, and then forthwith to suffer them to sprout and increase againe, which yet we see comes often to passe in manie, who in the beginning seemed to be consumed with zeale in an outward shew, and within a while haue growne key cold againe. But the Prophet here notes out such a constant zeale,3 that those who haue once begun to forsake and renounce their abominations, hold out and perseuere in a good course vnto the end.
- 1The forsaking of God, the next way to tumble us headlong into the committing of all iniquities.The forsaking of God, the next way to tumble vs headlong into the committing of all iniquities.
- 2God rejects not Idolatry alone, but all will worship, all be it be grounded upon never so good intents.God reiects not Idolatrie alone, but all will worship, all be it be grounded vpon neuer so good intents.
- 3True repentance holds out to the end.
