But alas it is a worlde to sée how the blinde Bussards , and crooked cancrewormes of this worlde , go awrye from this rule , deceiuing themselues with the bare title and naked name of repentance . Many in déede can talke of it : but few walke it it . Many speake of it : but fewe féele it . Many describe it : but fewe know it . It is hidde and locked vp from the worlde , and reuealed onely to Gods children . Many think they haue caught it , when they haue but the shadow of it . It is so high that few can reache it . It is so déepe that few can come to the bottome of it . It is so narrow that fewe can pearce into it . So wide that few can comprehend it . So slippery that fewe can holde it . So scerete that few can finde it . Therefore my deare brethren , I beséech you let vs pray vnto our God , that hee woulde reueale vnto vs this mystery which is hid from the world , that we may truly sée it , and know it , find it , & féele it to our endles comfort , through Christ Iesus : which grace he graunt vs .

But now to the seconde point concerning the qualities , and fruites of repentance . One speciall qualitie of repentance is alwayes to bringe with it remission sinnes : for where true repentance 〈◊〉 before , there remission of sinnes muste ●●cessarily followe after , not that repentance deserueth remission of sinne : but because where God worket● repentance , there hee pardoneth sin because of his promisse . At in Ezech. 1827. When the wicked turneth awaye from his wickednesse that hee hath committed , and doeth that which is lawfull and righte , he shall saue his soule aliue . And againe , Esay . 55. 7. Let the wicked forsake his wayes , and the vnrighteous his owne imaginations , and returne vnto the Lorde , and hee will haue mercy vppon him . So here we see to whom forgiuenesse of sinnes , and the mercies of God belongeth : Namely to the penitent sinners , to those that leaue sinne , and imbrace Godlines : to those that forsake his owne waies , and imaginations , & turne vnto the Lord . And as for such as walk on in their owne wayes , and follow the delightes of sin without any sorrow , or purpose to leaue them , they haue nothing to doe with the mercie of God : & though Iesus Christe had ●●●●red an hundred deathes ( which could not bee ) yet shal no vnpenitent sinner haue remission of his sinnes by his death , nor any other benefites of his Passion , for they belong onely to his Churche , and chosen people here vpon the earth . He therefore that is not of the Church , he that is not grafted into Christ by fayth , he that is not a member of his mystical body , can inioy nothing by Christes death . If any man abide not in me , he is east foorth as a braunch , and withereth , and men gather them , and caste them into the fire , and they burne . Iohn 15. 9. We reade in the 29. of Deuteronomie , Howe God barreth all stubburne sinners from his mercie , and doeth most terrible shoote out against them . Hee that heareth the wordes of this curse , and blesseth him selfe in his heart , saying , I shal haue peace although I walke according to the stubburnnes of our owne heart , thus adding dronkennesse to thirste : the Lord will not be mercifull vnto him , but then the wrath of the Lorde , and his iealousie shall smoke against that manne , and euery curse that is written in this booke , shal light vppon him . So that God saith playnely , hee hath no mercie for such as walke in the vayne delights of sinne , and in the stubbornes of their owne heart , adding drunkennesse to thirst , that is one horrible sin to another . Yet for all this it is a wonder to sée , how the blind wormes of this earth deceiue them selues . For they thinke whatsoeuer they say , whatsoeuer they doe , be it good , be it euill , whether they repent , or not repent , yet they shal be saued by christs death , as thogh they would make it a baud to their sinnes , & so worke that villany against Christ . I hope to be saued by Christs death , aswell as the best of them all sayth some . But where is thy repentaunce thou miserable wretche ? Doest thou thinke that Gods mercy is common to all ? and Christs death a baude for thy sinnes ? No no , when it conuneth to the vpshotte , thou shalt stoppe shorte . For it will proue farre otherwise : for thou shalt finde Gods mercye turned into Iustice : and Christes death into Wormwood : because thou hatedst knowledge , and choosedst not the feare of the Lorde . Thus you sée my deare brethren , that Repentaunce must néedes go before forgiuenesse of sinnes , & where it leadeth not the way , there the gates of Gods mercie are shutte vp , and this is the first qualitie of repentance . It hath also another condition and that is , to alter and chaunge men from that they were before , not in the substance and proportion of the body : but in the qualities & conditions of the minde . For whosoeuer hath truely repented , you shall by and by sée a moste marueilous , and wonderfull chaunge in him , so that he will not doe as he hath done , nor speake as he hath spoken , nor companie as he hath companied , nor play the good fellowe ( as they terme it ) as he was wont to do , nor runne to the same excesse of riot he was wont . And this is it that amazeth the world , and causeth them to bristle and fome at the mouth like wild Bores , and to speake euil of them that are turned vnto God . For the worlde loueth his owne , and cannot abide that GOD should plucke one feather from his Wings , But repentaunce doth violently pull men out of the clawes of Sathan , and chaunge them from the conditions of the world , for it maketh of proude , humble , of hurtefull , harmelesse , of cruell , méeke , of Wolues , Lambes , of Lions , Sheepe , of adulterers , Chaste liuers , of Drunkardes , sober men , of Swearers , reuerent speakers , of Haters , Louers , of Despisers , Imbracers , of Scoffers , Followers , of Earthly , Heauenly , of Deuils , Sainctes . All this worketh Repentance . Paul trauelled towards Damascus , a Woolfe , a Persecuter , a bloodsucker , an hater , a despiser : but ere he came there , he was quite chaunged , and cleane of an other mind . So mighty was he that met him by the way : When Iesus Christ sent downe the holy Ghost vpon his Disciples , according to his promise , there were some scoffers at Hierusalem , which mocked and said , they are ful of new wine : But the same men cryed out by and by after , men and brethren , what shal we doe to be saued . Here was a moste wonderfull and sodaine chaunge . See then the force of Repentaunce , when God striketh it into the heart of man , and driueth the nayle to the head as they say . It effecteth that which all the wisedome and policie of man , is not able to bring to passe , no when they haue prolled he●her and thether , and ●●ide their heades together , and sought al the corners of their wits , yet can they not tell which way to turne their hande , or where to begin to chaunge the hearte of a man , and to conuerte him to God . Therefore Repentaunce is stronger then all the whole worlde , and woorketh that whiche all men with their naturall wittes , 〈◊〉 heades , and deepe deuises can not compasse for the conuersion of a Sinner , is a woorke supernaturall . Here then we haue a glasse to beholde our selues in , whethereuer we haue Repented or no. For if wee find not this change and alteration in vs , we haue not repented , and so consequently remaine vnder Damnation . Therefore , let euerie man looke vnto himselfe , for marke how muche he is chaunged , and altred from his former euill wayes , so much hath he repented . And he that is the same man he was three , foure , eight , nay thictie yeares agoe , surely , surely , hee hath not repented , and therefore abideth in damnation . I maruell then howe those menne , which neuer felt anie change , or alteration wrought in them , nay , whose consciences tell them , that they are not chaunged , ne knowe what it meaneth , can have any hope of saluation : Vnlesse peraduenture they beléeue not this doctrine , or think it to be false . But I will sende ouer these men to suche as haue bene in the like case they nowe are , and yet thought they might doe well enough for all that , although both blinde in Iudgement , and corrupt in conuersation . I haue knowen and doe knowe men , which before their conuersion , and inward chaunge , were counted as honeste men , as euer brake breade , and as substantiall men as any coulde bée , as true dealers , vpright liuers , & good housekéepers as any of their neighboures , yea , and they had the same opinion of them selues too : And yet notwithstanding when they haue felte Repentaunce woorkinge this chaunge and alteration in them , through the power of the Spirite , at the preaching of the woord , and when they haue had new heartes giuen then to discerne better , and newe eyes to sée better , as men come out of a dampe , haue wondered and marueiled at the palpable and grosse darkenesse they were in before , and haue burst foorth into these woordes , that they woulde not bee in the same case they were afore , no not for al the worldes goodes , for if they should haue died in that case , they were sure they shold haue béene damned : But I pray you what case were they in before , were they not good honest men , & well accounted of , and honest liuers , and well taken wheresoeuer they came ? Surely they were so taken in the world , but nowe they thinke far otherwise of themselues , their eyes being opened , and their Iudgementes enlightened , for nowe they sée that they sawe not before , nowe they vnderstand that God condemneth many , whome the worlde iustifieth . Mée thinketh this example shoulde make ciuill and worldely men sée and suspecte themselues , and knowe their owne miserie before God . For these men were as good as they before their conuersion , and yet afterwarde confesse that they were plunged in the Bottome of Hell , and drowned in the deapth of Damnation . He that hath eares to heare , let him heare , and he that hath eyes to sée let him sée : For if menne wil still sooth them selues for all this , that they shal be saued without féeling any chaunge , or worke of repentaunce :

It will cost them full deare in the ende , for Christ●s woordes will proue true , that whosoeuer repenteth not shal bée damned , that is , whosoeuer doeth not feele in him selfe what is Repentance , and find in him selfe the qualities thereof that he condemned . For where Repentaunce is , there be the qualities of Repentaunce , and where the qualities be absent , there is no true repentaunce . So that where Chryst sayeth , Except ye repent yee shall all perish ? It is all one , as if he had sayde , except ye knowe the truth of Repentaunce , excepte yee can proue vnto your consciences the forgiuenesse of your sinnes , excepte you feele a chaunge and alteration in the bottome of your heart , of all your former lewd waies and misdemeanour , you shall surely perish and be damned . But let vs yet a little further search out the qualities of Repentaunce , the Apostle in the seuenth Chapiter of the second Epistle to the Corinthians setteth downe seuen natable qualities , and effects of Repentaunce . The firste of them he nameth Care . For beholde saith he , this thing that you haue byn godlie sorie what Care it hath wrought in you , that is , an earnest studie , and as it were a takinge thoughte to please God . For where true Repentance hath once wrought , there followeth great care afterward . Care I say to liue in the obedience of God , Care to keepe a good conscience , Care to reforme our housholdes : Care to instruct Wyues , Children and Seruauntes in the knoweledge of GOD : Care to pray with them Morning and Euening : and generallye Care to perfourme all dueties belonging vnto God , so that Repentaunce is not a carelesse , but a carefull thinge . Let not men thinke therefore , that although they welter in the carelesnesse of the fleshe , and slepe in securitie all the dayes of their life , yet their repentance is good inough , yea and though they spend whole dayes , Hightes , Monethes and Yeares in vanities , Playes and pastimes , in Idlenesse , fonde , delight , pleasure , and voluptuousnesse , in negligence of all dueties , forgetfulnesse of God , and contempte of all good thinges : Yet for all this they repent for their sinnes , and hope to be saued as well as any other . But alas how can these thinges stand together , to repent for sinne , & to delight in sinne , to hate sinne , and loue sinne . to flie from sinne , and to follow after sinne . But these men I perceiue , would fayne make Saint Paule a lyar . For he sayeth , a m●● hath neuer repented , except he bée carefull afterwarde to please God . They say they do repent , & haue repented : although they liue neuer so wretchedly , & carelesly . But when all licencious and leud liuers , filthie whoremongers , beastly belligoddes , and carelesse caitiffes , come to the kingdom of God , and are saued : then shall these men also come with them to be saued by careles repentaunce .

The next qualitie and effect of Repentaunce is named , clearing of our selues , that is , discharging of our selues , when sinne doeth accuse vs , and laye thinges to our charge , for when sinne and Sathan doeth terrifie the conscience of the poore penitent sinner , by and by he fléeth vnto God and asketh forgiuenesse throughe Iesus Christ , and so cleareth himselfe , and maketh his Apologie against sinne , and Sathan , like as a man that is presented into the Court , vppon suspicion of whoredome , or any other notorious crime , muste cleare himselfe by witnesses , of that whiche is layde to his charge . So the conscience that is cited by Sathan before the Iustice , and Iudgement of seate of God , cleareth it selfe by Repentaunce , and asketh forgiuenesse through Iesus Christ . So that héere wee may see a wonderfull fruite of a penitente conscience , it cannot abide the accusations of sinne : It can not be quyet till it bée reconciled vnto God : & so haue peace within it selfe . For this is to bée noted in the godly man , that when hée hath committed any sinne , and his conscience telleth him of it , by and by hée féeleth Leade within him , and is all heauie , and can not sléepe quietly , till hee haue got into some corner , where hée may mourne , and lament to the ful , and confesse , and lay open himselfe vnto God , and so cleare him selfe through Christ Iesus , his conscience bearing him witnes that his sinne is forgiuen . Whereas contrariwise the vngodly man , when his conscience accuseth him of sinne , he dispatcheth away all suche thoughtes , and treadeth them vnder foote , and by and by calleth for a paire of Cardes , or Tables , and some merrie companion to driue away the time , and to put out all suche thoughtes out of his heade , and so indéede hee increaseth them more and more , and causeth them rankle inwardly .

The thirde qualitie is called indignation , that is , a mortall and deadly hatred ●gainst sinne , as when a man doeth shu●der and shake , and as it were grynde h●● teeth at the remembraunce of his sinnes for this is alwayes in the penitent person to loth and abhorre all sin from his heart both his owne sinnes , and the sinnes of ●ther , and to hate it as the Diuel himselfe , which is the Author of it , and to flie from it , as from the very cutthroate , and hang● man of his soule , and to know it to be the onely thing that blindeth , that hardeneth , that separateth from God , and procureth all plagues , and diseases , both of bodye and soule against vs . Therefore he spitteth at it in defiance , and disdaineth it , and stoppeth his nose at the stincke of it , wheresoeuer he smelleth it .

The fourth thing is feare , whiche is a certaine awe of God , when a man is afraide to displease him . For the penitente person feareth alwaye , and beeing priuie to his owne infirmity and weaknesse ( when God neuer so litle withdraweth his grace , and leaueth him alone ) worketh his Saluation with feare and trembling . He will not presume vpon former grace to commit any sinne , nor flatter himself in the mercy of God , and in the thinges that he hath alreadie tasted of God , to yeeld to some litle sinne , thinking he may doe that , and bee the child of God wel enough , because some of Gods children haue fallen into greater , but rather he trembleth at the least motion of sinne , and is afraid of the temptations , whiche Sathan trumpeth in his waye , and is afraide when the temptations of sinne are vppon him ▪ to satisfie the hunger of sinne , but rather he fighteth against sin , when sin fighteth against him , and presenteth the feare of God before his eyes ( as godly Ioseph in the assault of Putiphars wife ) to be as it were a Tower of defence & Welspring of life , to auoide the snares of Death .

The fift thing is Desire , that is a hungring , and thirsting after righteousnesse .

For the penitent man is rauished with desire of good thinges . Hee desireth to be euery day better then other : He desireth to leaue euery day some sinne : He desireth to praye . He desireth newe knoweledge , and newe vnderstanding of heauenly things . He desireth to heare Sermons , and wil straine himselfe to heare them . He desireth the company of the godly , he thinketh him selfe in heauen , when he is emongest them . He desireth the saluation of his very enemies , and prayeth for them . All these and many other such like desires are in the penitent man .

The first qualitie is zeale , which consisteth in the earnest imbracing of vertue , and hatred of vice , so that the penitent person , is zealous in euery good thing . Zealous of Gods glory in all places , in all companies , and emongest all persons , hee cannot abide that Gods honour should be impeached , or his name blasphemed , or his glory trampled vnder foote by wicked men , but he will open his mouth to reproue the wicked , and stand stoutly in the defence of Gods glorie . Hee is not like these Atheistes , and dissemblers , which are alwayes as is the companie , that is godly emongst the Godly : A Protestant emongest Protestantes : wicked amongest the wicked , a Papist emongest Papistes , a worldling emongest worldlinges , and a Swearer emongest Swearers , a Weathercocke that turneth with euery wynde . The penitent man I say , is not of this stampe , but he is constant and zealous in all good things . Hee is zealous both against the pleasures and profites of sinne , though he might winne a whole worlde , or pleasure himselfe neuer so much , by committing a sinne against God , yet will he refuse it , for he hath learned from Christes mouth , that it shall not profite a man to winne all the whole worlde , and to loose his owne soule .

The last thing is Reuenge , that is , the penitent person is so offended , with the sinne he hath committed , that hee will be reuenged of himselfe for it . As for example , if he haue offended in gluttony , he wil Reuenge himselfe by fasting two or thrée daies after : If he haue offended in whoredome , hee will be reuenged of his lustes , by haltring , and bridling them euer after : If he haue offended in couetous catching and polling of other mens goodes , he will he reuenged of himselfe by restitution , as was godly and penitent Zacheus , and this in déed is a speciall fruite of Repentaunce , to reforme our selues in 〈◊〉 thinges , wherein we haue moste offended . Nowe then you see ( my deare brethren ) what lieth in the bellie of repentance , and which be her inwardes , so that wee must needes now come to the vnlasūng , and vnbowelling of Christes wordes . Except ye repent sayth he , ye shall all perishe , that is : except ye haue this forenamed care , you shall all be damned : Except ye haue this clearing of your selues , you shall be damned : Except you haue this indignation , you shall all he damned : except you , haue this feare , you shal be damned : Except you haue this desire , you shal a● be damned : Except you haue this zeale , you shall all be damned . Except you haue this reuenge , you shall all be damned .

For our Sauiour Christe doeth not speake of the bare name of Repentaunce ▪ But of Repentance withal his ●urn●●●re , and appurtenances : so that who so euer hath not Repentaunce with all his qualities and effectes , or at leaste some measure of them , he hath no Repentaunce indeed , and therefore shall be damned . For except ye repent ye shall all perishe . But me thinketh I here some man say . Here is nothing but damnation , damnation .

You preach nothing but the law : Let vs heare of the Gospell . My brethren I protest vnto you , that I speake of loue , whatsoeuer I speake , I desire the saluation of you all , if I could win but two in all this congregation , I woulde count my selfe happy , & thinke that God had greatly blessed my labours .

And vndoubtedly , if I knewe any neerer way to bring you vnto GOD , then by preaching the Lawe , to make you knowe your selues , surely , surely , I would vse it . Or if I could be perswaded , that the preaching of the Gospel , and mercie would doe you more good : you shoulde heare of nothing , but Gospel , Gospel , mercie , mercie : But alas , I sée that euerie carelesse , and euerie ignorant man presumeth vppon Gods mercy , I sée that euerie filthy liuer , and notorious blasphemer abuseth Gods mercy , in applying it to him selfe without Repentaunce , so that they woulde make Gods mercie a cloake for their sinnes , I sée that euerie man would faine be flattered in his sinne , & heare of it no more , but haue the Gospell preached , which in déed belongeth not vnto them , continuing in their stubburnes : but only to the penitent sinner , which forsaketh himselfe , and groneth , and panteth vnder the burden of his sinne . Therefore , when I sée you humbled with the conscience of your sinnes , and grone and pant vnder the burden of them , when I sée your faces blubbered with weping , and your hearts mollified , and sorrowing with care , then will I comforte you , and cease to preach the lawe . But I praye you , will you steale , murther , and commit adultery , and yet heare of mercy ? Will ye Mocke , Sweare , blaspheme , and Rayle , and yet heare of mercy ? Will you serue sinne , hate vertue , and followe your owne lusts , and yet heare of mercy ? Would you haue Plaisters before you haue woundes : Would you haue Phisicke , before you bee sicke ? Would you be let bloud , before you haue néede ? Would you not account him a foolish Physitian , that wil minister Phisicke to a whole man ? Woulde you not thinke him an vnskilfull Surgion , that will applie a gentle salue to an olde festered sore , and not rather Corsie it ? Then knowe my brethren , that because you are ful of grosse humors , you must haue strong purgations : Because ye are full of olde festered woundes , you muste haue Corasiue Salues , for that is the beste for you , and the speediest way to recouer your healthe , and for as muche as you bée rough Horses : you muste haue a rough rider : And harde knobbie timber , must haue harde wedges , and hard strokes with a béetle . We preach the Lawe to driue you to Christe , Wee preach Iudgementes , to make you séeke Mercie : Wée preach damnation , to bring you to saluation . But to preache Mercie and forgiuenesse , before men see their sinnes , or knowe their miseries by the preaching of the Lawe , is to preach the Gospell vnprofitably . For , he that is ignorant of the Lawe , knoweth not what misery is in himselfe : nor what mercie is in God .

What father is there , who if his childe should play the stubborne boy , and disobey him in euery thing he commanded , would stroke his heade , and say hee were a good boy , and not rather seuerely correcte him , and whippe him with a rodde ? What master will commende his seruant for doing what he list , and not what he commaundeth him ? euen so wee may not disobey and do euill , and looke to he flattered too , and not rather chidden . Let vs know then that although God vse searing , launcing , corzing , and searching of the bones , and other violent remedies , yet in the meane while hee procureth our health by them . And let vs further vnderstand , that forasmuche as there is none other meanes to drawe vs vnto saluation , but by cleansing of al our vices , and the same cleansing can not be done , but by violence , when we be warned by the doctrine of the Lawe , so as our owne consciences accuse vs .

Although we like well to be nowe and then flattered , and soothed , yet let vs séeke to be spoken vnto earnestly , and to haue our faultes tolde vs , and to be made ashamed of them , and to haue our vnhonesty discouered , & not desire to be pleased . For it were the next way , to make vs rotte in our own filthines , if we should holde it so in secret : & it would cost vs deare the setting on , if wee shoulde be so flattered by men , and in the meane season the heauenly Iudge shall thunder downe vppon vs .