The fruit of the sermon, which was preached is by certain outward signs expressed unto us, which were in a manner apt witnesses of repentance, and of a converted mind.1 Three things therefore are mentioned. First when the people had heard this sermon they lifted up their voice whereby as it is to be believed, they confessed their since, and implored the mercy of God. Secondly it is added that tears were joined with the voices: and lastly that they offered Sacrifices unto God. What they said when they lifted up their voice, the scripture doth not express, but I have expounded what is most likely that they said, and therefore I will stand no longer about that thing: but I will somewhat tarry in those things, which the history hath mentioned of, what things they are, namely as touching tears and Sacrifices. Wherein we must know that true and lawful repentance consisteth chiefly of two principal points,2 namely of a sorrow conceived for the wicked Acts committed, and of a sure confidence to obtain pardon by Christ. Neither ought we to be ignorant, that these two things do burgeon out of faith, as out of their proper and natural root. And faith, when it bringeth forth such fruits, is occupied about two things. First it assenteth unto the law of GOD, and to the threatenings there set forth, and confesseth them to be true, whereby we being assured of the will of GOD, which we understand to be by our since violated, and nothing doubting of the threatenings adjoined, we can not but be grievously sorry. Secondly faith embraceth the promise of forgiveness of punishments by Christ. And whilst it is occupied about these two things, so many outward signs also do follow.3 For of sorrow come sighings & tears, which have adjoined unto them confession of the sins committed, which is sometimes expressed, & sometimes close. And where there is conceived an assurance of forgiveness, there follow Sacrifices. And because faith is the mother of these things, and it is conceived by the word of GOD, therefore the history declareth that the Israelites did at the length weep and do Sacrifice after that they had heard the sermon.4 For (as Paul sayeth) faith cometh of hearing, and hearing by the word of GOD.
The fruite of the sermon, whiche was preached is by certayn outward sygnes expressed vnto vs, whiche were in a manner apt witnesses of repentaunce, and of a conuerted mynde.1 Thre thynges therfore are mencioned. First when the people had heard this sermon they lifted vp their voyce wherby as it is to be beleued, they confessed their synnes, and implored the mercy of God. Secondly it is added that teares were ioyned with the voyces: and lastly that they offred Sacrifices vnto God. What they said when they lifted vp their voyce, the scripture doth not expresse, but I haue expounded what is most likely that they sayd, and therfore I will stande no longer about that thyng: but I will somewhat tary in those thinges, whiche the history hath mencioned of, what thynges they are, namely as touchyng teares and Sacrifices. Wherein we must knowe that true and lawfull repentaunce consisteth chiefly of two principall poyntes,2 namely of a sorowe conceaued for the wicked Actes committed, and of a sure confidence to obtayne pardon by Christe. Neither ought we to be ignoraunte, that these two thynges do burgen out of fayth, as out of their propre and naturall roote. And fayth, when it bryngeth forth suche fruites, is occupyed about two thynges. First it assenteth vnto the lawe of GOD, and to the threatnynges there set forth, and confesseth them to be true, whereby we beyng assured of the will of GOD, whiche we vnderstande to be by our synnes violated, and nothyng doubtyng of the threatnynges adioyned, we can not but be grieuously sory. Secondly fayth embraseth the promise of forgeuenesse of punishementes by Christ. And whilest it is occupyed about these two thynges, so many outwarde signes also do follow.3 For of sorow come syghinges & teares, which haue adioyned vnto thē confessiō of the sinnes committed, whiche is sometymes expressed, & sometymes close. And where there is conceaued an assuraunce of forgeuenesse, there followe Sacrifices. And bycause fayth is the mother of these thynges, and it is conceaued by the worde of GOD, therefore the historye declareth that the Israelites did at the length weepe and do Sacrifice after that they had heard the sermon.4 For (as Paule sayeth) fayth commeth of hearyng, and hearyng by the worde of GOD.
- 1Three apt witnesses of repentance.Thre apt witnesses of repē taunce.
- 2Two principal points of repentance, which do spring out of faith.Two principal pointes of repētaūce, which do spryng out of fayth.
- 3Two outward signs follow true repentanceTwo outward signes followe true repētaūce
- 4The word of god stirreth up repentance.The worde of god stirreth vp repentaunce.
