The Institution of Christian Religion

But before we go any further, it shall be profitable that we do more §6plainly set out at large the definition that we have made. Wherein there be chiefly three points to be considered. First when we call it a turning of life unto God, we require a transforming, not only in outward works, but also in the soul it self, which when it hath put of her oldness, then beginneth to bring forth the fruits of works agreeable to her renewing.¹ Which when the prophet goeth about to express, he commandeth them whom he calleth to repentance, to make them a new heart. Therefore Moses oftentimes meaning to show how the Israelites might repent, & so be rightly turned unto the Lord, teacheth that it be done with all their heart, & with all their soul (which man ner of speaking we see often repeated of the Prophets) & naming it the circumcising of the heart, he shaketh away all inward affections. But there ⟨image 208⟩is no place whereby a man may better perceive what is the natural property of repentance than the fourth Chapter of Jerem.² If thou return to me, O Israel, (saith the Lord) return to me, plough up your arable land and sow not upon thorns. Be circumcised to the Lord, and take away the uncircumcised skins of your hearts. See how he pronounceth that they shall nothing prevail in taking upon them the following of righteousness, unless wickedness be first plucked out of the bottom of their hearts. And to move them throughly, he warneth them that they have to do with God, with whom there is nothing gotten by dallying, because he hateth a double heart. Therefore Isaiah laugheth to scorn the foolish endeavours of hypocrites,³ which did in deed busily go about an outward repentance in ceremonies, but in the mean time they had no care to loose the bundles of wickedness wherewith they held poor men fast tied. Where also he very well showeth in what duties unfeigned repentance properly standeth.

But before we go any further, it shall be profitable that we do more §6