The Institution of Christian Religion

But I would the readers should note, that here is not a quarrel about §2the shadow of an ass, but the most earnest matter of all other is entreated of, that is to say, forgiveness of sins. For whereas they require three things to repentance, contrition of heart, confession of mouth, & satisfaction of work: they do therewithal teach that those three things are necessary to the obtaining of forgiveness of sins. But if it behove us to know any thing at all in all our religion, this truly behoveth us most of all, I mean to understand and know well by what ⟨image 217⟩mean, with what law, upon what condition, with what easiness or hardness the forgiveness of sins is obtained. If this knowledge stand not plain and certain, the conscience can have no rest at all, no peace with God, no confidence or assuredness, but continually trembleth, wavereth, is troubled, is tormented, is vexed, horribly dreadeth, hateth and fleeth the sight of God. But if the forgiveness of since hang upon those conditions to which they do bind it, then nothing is more miserable, nothing in more lamentable case than we. They make Contrition the first part of obtaining pardon, and they require that to be a due contrition, that is to say perfect and full: but in the mean time they do not determine when a man may be assured, that he hath to the full measure perfectly performed this contrition. Truly I grant that every man ought diligently and earnestly to enforce himself, with bitterly weeping for his since, to whet himself more and more to a loathing and hatred of them. For this is a sorrow not to be repented, y• breedeth repentance unto salvation. But when there is such a bitterness of sorrow required as may proportionally answer the greatness of the fault, and such as may in balance counterpoise with the trust of pardon, here the pure consciences are marvellously tormented and troubled, when they see them selves changed with a due contrition of sins, and do not so attain the measure of that due, that they can determine with them selves, that they have duly performed so much as they duly ought. If they say that we must do as much as lieth in us, then come we still to the same point that we were at before: for how dare any man assure himself that he hath employed all his force to bewail his since?

But I wold the readers shold note, that here is not a quarel about