But let us consider what the Apostle saith. He names repentance and faith, wherein consists the whole perfection of the Gospel. For what other thing doth Christ command to his Apostles, but that they should preach faith and repentance? Luk. 24.47. And therefore when S. Paul meant to protest that he had faithfully discharged his duty, he allegeth for himself that he had diligently and continually taught ⟨p. 110⟩them from house to house, to imprint these two things in the hearts of his Auditors, to wit, Repentance towards God, and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ, Act. 20.20.21. May it not seem absurd then that the Apostle should command them here to leave faith and repentance, wherein they were to persevere the whole course of their lives? But in adding from dead works, he shows that he speaks of the first repentance, when men began first to be Christians. For although every sin be a dead work, because it begets death, or, because it proceeds from the spiritual death of the soul; yet notwithstanding all the faithful which are already regenerate by the Spirit of God, are not properly said to repent themselves of dead works. True it is, that regeneration is but begun in them; but how little soever this seed of the new life be in them, yet that is the cause why they are no more reputed dead in his sight. Wherefore the Apostle comprehends not all repentance in general, wherein we ought carefully to meditate, and to exercise our selves day and night: but he only means that beginning of repentance, by which those who being even newly converted to the faith, did enter into the way of newness of life. Also the word faith, signifies that brief sum of the doctrine of godliness, which is commonly called the Articles of the Faith. Hereunto also appertains, The resurrection from the dead, and eternal judgement. For these two things are the greatest secrets of the heavenly wisdom: yea even the very mark of all our religion, whereat we ought to aim all our whole life. But because one and the same thing is taught otherwise to the rude and ignorant, than to those that have profited somewhat already; the Apostle notes the common form of questioning; 1Doest thou believe the resurrection of the dead? Doest thou believe there is an eternal life? These are things fit for children, and only for once:
But let vs consider what the Apostle saith. He names repentance and faith, wherein consists the whole perfection of the Gospell. For what other thing doth Christ commaund to his Apostles, but that they should preach faith and repentance? Luk. 24.47. And therfore when S. Paul meant to protest that he had faithfully discharged his dutie, he alleageth for himselfe that he had diligently and continually taught ⟨p. 110⟩them from house to house, to imprint these two things in the hearts of his Auditors, to wit, Repentance towards God, and faith towards our Lord Iesus Christ, Act. 20.20.21. May it not seeme absurd then that the Apostle should command them here to leaue faith and repentance, wherein they were to perseuere the whole course of their liues? But in adding from dead workes, he shewes that he speakes of the first repentance, when men began first to be Christians. For although euery sinne be a dead worke, because it begets death, or, because it proceedes from the spirituall death of the soule; yet notwithstanding all the faithfull which are alreadie regenerate by the Spirit of God, are not properly said to repent themselues of dead workes. True it is, that regeneration is but begun in them; but how little soeuer this seede of the new life be in them, yet that is the cause why they are no more reputed dead in his sight. Wherfore the Apostle comprehends not all repentance in generall, wherein we ought carefully to meditate, and to exercise our selues day and night: but he onely meanes that beginning of repentance, by which those who being euen newly conuerted to the faith, did enter into the way of newnes of life. Also the word faith, signifies that briefe summe of the doctrine of godlines, which is commonly called the Articles of the Faith. Hereunto also appertaines, The resurrection from the dead, and eternall iudgement. For these two things are the greatest secrets of the heauenly wisedome: yea euen the very marke of all our religion, whereat wee ought to aime all our whole life. But because one and the same thing is taught otherwise to the rude and ignorant, than to those that haue profited somewhat alreadie; the Apostle notes the common forme of questioning; 1Doest thou beleeue the resurrection of the dead? Doest thou beleeue there is an eternall life? These are things fit for children, and onely for once:
- 1The points of catechism used in the Primitive Church.The points of catechisme vsed in the Primatiue Church.
