The rule of faith, or, An exposition of the Apostles Creed so handled as…

2 Wicked men must take heed of abusing such examples as this, by gathering from thence any liberty to sin: think not to sin securely, because Peter sinned so grievously: ⟨p. 354⟩Remember two things, if thou take liberty to sin, because Peter so sinned. First, that Peters sin brought bitter grief to his heart: He went out and wept bitterly, saith the Text: If thou wouldest as well consider the sorrows Gods servants brought upon themselves for their sins, as the greatness of their offence, thou wouldst find small provocation from such woeful presidents. Again, it is true that Peter sinned and yet was saved, and yet it is as true that Judas sinned and was damned, and yet was an Apostle of Christ as well as Peter.

2 Wicked men must take heed of abusing such examples as this, by gathering from thence any libertie to sinne: think not to sinne securely, because Peter sinned so grieuously: ⟨p. 354⟩Remember two things, if thou take liberty to sinne, because Peter so sinned. First, that Peters sinne brought bitter griefe to his heart: He went out and wept bitterly, saith the Text: If thou wouldest as well consider the sorrowes Gods seruants brought vpon themselues for their sinnes, as the greatnesse of their offence, thou wouldst finde small prouocation from such wofull presidents. Againe, it is true that Peter sinned and yet was saued, and yet it is as true that Iudas sinned and was damned, and yet was an Apostle of Christ as well as Peter.

3. We may hence learn what is necessary to true repentance, viz. First, to get out from the society of wicked men: a man cannot repent, and yet remain still by the High-Priests fire. Secondly, to bewail our sins by true godly sorrow in secret: without mourning for sin, there can be no true repentance for sin; and therefore the afflicting of our soul for our sins is peremptorily required,