The Institution of Christian Religion

But whereas the Apostle in describing of repentance reckoneth seven either causes or effects or parts thereof,¹ he doth that of a very good cause: and these they be: endeavour or carefulness, excusing, indignation, fear, desire, zeal, punishment. Neither ought it to seem any absurdity, that I dare not certainly determine whether they ought to be counted causes or effects. For both may be defended in disputation. They may be also called affections joined with repentance: but because, leaving out those questions, we may understand what Paul meaneth, we shall be content with a simple declaration of them. He saith therefore, that of the heaviness which is according to God, ariseth carefulness. For he that is touched with an earnest feeling of displeasure because he hath sinned against his God, is therewithal stirred up to diligence and heedfulness, to wind himself clearly out of the snares of the Devil, to take better heed of his snares, to fall no more from the governance of the holy ghost, not to be oppressed with security. Next is Excusing, which in this place signifieth not the defence, whereby a sinner to escape the judgement of God, either doth deny that he hath offended, or diminisheth the heinousness of his fault, but a purgation which standeth rather in craving of pardon, than in defence of his cause. Like as the children that are not reprobate when they acknowledge and confess their faults, do yet use entreating, and that it may take place, they protest by all means that they can, that they have not cast away the reverence that they owe to their parents. Finally they so excuse them, as they go not about to prove themselves righteous and innocent, but only that they may obtain pardon. Then followeth Indignation, whereby the sinner fretteth inwardly with himself, quarreleth with himself, is angry with himself, when he recordeth his own perverseness and his own unthankfulness to God. By the name of fear, he meaneth that trembling that is stricken into our minds so oft as we think both what we have deserved, and how horrible is the severity of Gods wrath against sinners. For we must needs then be vexed with a marvellous unquietness, which both instructeth us to humility, and maketh us more ware against the time to come.

But whereas the Apostle in describynge of repentance reckeneth seuen eyther causes or effectes or partes thereof,¹