The first Chapter treaterh of the certainty of mans saluation ; wherein hee may cleerely see , whether he shall bee saued or damned ; with a most perfect rule directed by the holy Scripture , to guide him in the right way to auoid his sinnes ; and how to attaine eternall life .

ALmighty God , * * Gen. 17.1 . that séeth from euerlasting to euerlasting , a a Eccles. 39.20 . and knoweth all things , both past , present , and to come ; b b 1 Sam. 2.3 . hath from the beginning of the world , and doth to the end thereof c c Esay 59.21 . Ier. 32.37 . Gen. 17.7 . Acts 2.39 . Ier. 31.33 . Heb. 10.16 , 17. Ezech. 18.21 , 22. Ier. 24.7 , 8 , 9 , 10. gather , and preserue vnto himselfe , by his hnly Spirit , d d Mat. 16.17 out of all Nations , the flower of all mankinde , to be an holy companie of chosen people * * Ioh. 10.28 , 29 , 30. Tit. 2.14 . preserued for eternall life , whom nothing can separate from God but sinne , e e Esay 59.2 and nothing sooner than to despaire of his mercy , which is ouer all his workes f f Psal. 143.9 .

And therefore all you that would forsake your sins to be the children of God , must haue an assured trust , g g Heb. 11.17 . Iam. 1.6 . Ephes. 3.12 . Rom. 10.10 . kindled in your hearts by the Holy Ghost , h h Ioh. 6.29 . Mat. 16.16 , 17. 2 Cor. 4.13 . through the Word i i Rom. 10.17 Rom. 1.16 . Acts 10.44 . whereby you may be assuredly resolued , k k Rom 1.17 . Gal. 3.11 . Gal. 2.16 . that remission of sins , and euerlasting life , is not giuen vnto others only , but vnto you also : and that you must haue a true and liuely faith in Iesus Christ , to beléeue that you are his l l Rom. 3.21 , 22 , 24. Gal. 1.15 , 16. Ephes. 2.8 , 9. Phil. 3.9 . . Although your conscience accuse you ; and Satan alleage against you ; that you haue not kept Gods Lawes ; but haue grieuously sinned m m Rom. 3.9 , 10 , 11 , 12. Rom. 7.23 . , and prouoked Gods wrath against you , whereby you haue deserued eternall damnation , yet notwithstanding , if by your true repentance , hauing an inward sorrow wrought by the Holy Ghost o o Mat. 16.17 . Ioh. 10.28 , 29. , for your sinnes before committed ; you may embrace the benefits of Iesus Christ by a liuely faith p p Ioh. 3.18 . , with a full determination to continue in newnesse of life , yea , and that with a pure conscience and perswasion of minde q q 1 Ioh. 2.2 . , that the full and perfect satisfaction , righteousnesse , and holinesse of Christ s s 1 Ioh. 2.1 . without any righteousnesse of yours , t t Tit. 3.5 . Ezech. 36.22 but of the méere mercy of God u u Rom. 3.24 . Eph. 2.8 . , is giuen vnto you ; and that so cléerely , as if you had neuer committed any sinne ; * * 2 Cor. 5.21 then there is no doubt ( by the grace of God ) but the Lord will pardon all your offences ; and If your sinnes were as red as scarlet , hee will make them as white as snow ; x x Esay 1.18 . and so you shall bée made heires of eternall life y y Ioh. 3.36 . 1 Ioh. 5.13 . .

But there are too too many , which through their carelesnesse of repentance , although Gods Preachers daily perswade them to repent ; a a Esay 1.18 . Ier. 18.11 . 2 King 17.13 . Ier. 25.5 . Ier. 7.3 . Ezech. 33.11 Ier. 35.15 . Hos. 14.3 . Ier. 4.2 . Hos. 6.1 . Ioel 12.2 . doe stand in doubt of their saluation ; because they haue grieuously sinned , and thereby greatly offended the Maiesty of Almighty God , and procured his curse for their sinnes , as the Scripture saith , There is no peace to the wicked b b Esay 48.23 , Prou. 38.1 . .

So that Satan layes before their faces all their sinnes they haue committed , whereby their conscience tels them , that by reason of their sinnes , which they haue so long continued in without repentance , that they stand now in great danger of damnation , and that , Ibi nulla remis fio , vbi nulla posfit esse poenitentia , There can be no pardon , where can be no repentance , according vnto Christs owne saying , Except yee repent , yee shall all be damned c c Luk 13.3 . Esay 59 2 , Nahum . 1.2 . .

And note this for a certainty : so long as they carelesly stand , and continue in their damnable estate of sinne , without repentance , so long they may very well doubt of their saluation ; for he that continueth in sinne , and neuer doubteth of his saluation , scarce euer beléeueth to be saued d d Ier. 20.14 , 15. Iob. 3.3 . Ier. 15.10 . Iob 10.18 , 19. Ionah . 2.4 Psal 42.11 . Psal. 31.11 . . Therefore let no man deceiue himselfe , to continue in sinne ; for it will cost him many a prayer , e e Col. 4.2 . Luk 18 1. 1 Thess. 5.17 . Rom 12.12 . 1 Tim. 2.8 . Ephes. 6.18 . and cause him to let fall a multitude of teares for his sinnes , f f Iam. 4.9 . Mat. 26.75 . Deut. 1.45 . 2 King 20.1 , 2 , 3. Gen. 37 34 , 35. 2 King . 22.11 , 19. before he can be certaine of his saluation : Yet let no man despaire of the mercies of God , because where is nulla petitio , gratia nulla , no prayer , no grace , and no repentance , no pardon ; but remember , the prayer of the righteous auaileth much , if it bee feruent g g Iam. 5.16 . , therefore spéedily repent , for God is more mercifull , than man can be sinfull , if man will be sorrowfull .

If Satan say vnto you , or any others ; how know ye whether God will accept of your repentance , or no , or if he would , how long may ye be assured of your saluation ?

You may answer him thus , ( or in such like manner , ) whereas I was truly cleansed , h h Reu. 1 5. 1 Ioh. 1.7 . put on Christ , i i Gal. 3.27 . receiued inward grace , k k Tit. 3.7 . made the sonne of God , l l Luk. 20.36 . 1 Ioh. 3.1 . Rom. 8.14 . Ioh. 1.12 . Gal. 3.26 . 2 Cor. 6.18 . and heire with Christ , m m Gal. 4.7 . Rom. 8.17 . Tit. 3.7 . vnto eternall life in my Baptisme , although through the subtilty of thée , O Satan , thou hast tempted mée to sinne , and thereby hast caused me to fall from my former estate of righteousnesse : yet by the grace of God , so long as I haue truly repented , and am heartily sorry for all my vgly and loathsome sinnes , which thou hast entised mée to commit , and am fully purposed , both now , and for euer hereafter , to forsake thée O Satan , and all thy cursed company ; and withall , I am fully determined to continue in newnesse of life ; so long my sure trust and confidence is , That God will neuer forsake them that put their trust in him : n n Rom. 9.33 . 1 Pet. 2.6 . Acts 4.12 . and this faith is the faith of Gods elect , so many beleeued , as were ordained vnto saluation o o Acts 13 48. .

And therefore he which hath truly repented , and doubteth of his saluation ; his vnbeléefe bewrayes his ignorance in the word of God .

For , doth not our Sauiour say , He that beleeueth , and is baptized , shall bee saued p p Mark 16.16 . Ioh 3.8 . Ioh. 3.18 . Well then , I doubt not , but with a true heart , and cléere conscience I may say , I was baptized , I haue truly repented , and am heartily sorrie for all my sinnes : and doe truly purpose to continue by the grace of God in newnesse of life , and doe also fully beleeue : Ergo , I shall be saued ; and as the best haue desired to make their election to saluation sure ; so I , the vnworthiest of all other , doe daily labour vnto my God with all humility to doe the same .

And therefore I say with Iob , euen with a good conscience and ioyfull heart , that I am sure my Redeemer liueth , and although wormes destroy this body of mine , yet in my flesh shall I see God i i Iob 19.25 26 : And with Saint Paul , that When mine earthly house is destroyed , I haue a building giuen of God ; ( that is ) an house not made with hands , but eternall in Heauen k k 2 Cor 31. , where is laid vp for me a crowne , of righteousnesse l l 2 Tim. 5 ; so that I am perswaded , that neither death , nor life , nor Angels , nor principalities , nor powers , nor things present , nor things to come , shall be able to separate mee from the loue of God , m m Rom. 8.38 , 39. which is in Christ Iesus my Sauiour , n n Acts 5.31 . Luk. 2.11 . 2 Sam. 22.3 . Psal. 18.1 . in whom I trust , and in whom also I am sealed with the holy Spirit of promise , which is the earnest of mine inheritance o o Eph. 1.13 , 14. Ioh. 6.27 . Reuel. 7.3 . Ioh. 3.33 . .

And all those who are led by the Spirit of God , are the sonnes of God p p Gal. 4.5 , 6 , 7. Rom. 8.17 . 1 Ioh. 2.28 . ; if sonnes , then children ; if children , then heires ; euen heires annexed with Christ vnto eternall life , and consequently sure of saluation . And that so sure , that no man can plucke them out of the hands of Christ q q Ioh. 10.28 2 Tim. 2.26 . 1 Pet. 1.5 . 1 Ioh. 5.14 , 15 .

This assurance made the Virgin Marie call Christ her Sauiour , * * Luk. 1.47 . the théefe on the crosse to say , Lord remember mee r r Luk. 23.42 , and Paul to say , that Christ gaue himselfe for me s s Gal. 2.20 . , and in another place , I know on whom I haue beleeued t t 2 Tim. 1.12 . .

This promise God hath made vnto all beléeuers ; Hee that beleeueth in mee , though he were dead , yet he shall liue u u Ioh. 11.25 . ; for I will put my feare in their hearts , that they shall not depart from me * * Ier. 32.40 . , they shall bee my people , and I will be their God x x Ier. 32.38 . , and forgiue their iniquities , and remember their sinnes no more y y Heb. 10.17 : And thus the greater your faith is , the greater is your assurance z z 1 Pet. 1.7 , 8 , 9. .

Thus Gods word assures you , that if yée haue truly repented , and continue in newnesse of life , ye shall liue , and not die : but saue your soule aliue a a Ezech. 18.21 , 22. to enioy eternall life . Thus , if ye were neuer so weary and heauie laden , ye shall be eased b b Mat. 11.28 ; If your sinnes were as red as scarlet , they shall be made as white as snow c c Esay 1.18 . : All this our gracious God hath promised , which cannot lye ; and hath not only sworne thereunto by an oath d d Heb. 6.17 , 18. Esay 54.9 , 10 , but also bound himselfe by couenants , as it were a paire of Indentures , the one in the Old Testament e e Ier. 1.33 . Ier. 32 44. Ier. 24.7 . , the other in the New f f Heb. 10.16 , 17. .

And therefore yée may assure your selues by the testimonies of all these Scriptures , that you may be as firmely perswaded of the certainty of your saluation , as your hearts can witnesse the sincerity of your conuersion . Saint Paul proues it , I liue , yet not I , but Christ liueth in mee g g Gal. 2.20 . 1 Cor. 3.16 . . So Christ and the Christian dwelleth not one with another , but one in another ; this being in Christ is a relatiue , for , Wee cannot be in him , but he must be in vs h h 1 Ioh 5 24 . Againe , Know yee not your owne selues ( saith hée ) how Iesus Christ is in you , except yee bee reprobates i i 2 Cor. 13. ● ? Here Saint Paul giueth them the title of reprobates , that know not how Iesus Christ is in them .

By these words we ought all to vnderstand , that all which beléeue haue the Spirit of discerning , to know certainly that they doe beléeue ; because the faith which he here speaketh of , is that liuely faith , whereby Christ dwelleth in our hearts ; thus if Christ dwell in our hearts , then wee are in Christ ; if wee bee in Christ , wee cannot bee condemned , for there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Iesus k k Rom. 8.1 . .

And by these examples I conclude with this saying of Saint Peter , I would haue all that feare God , and hope to be saued , euen for Gods sake , their owne sake , and their soules sake , to make their election sure , and they shall neuer fall a a 2 Pet. 1.10 ; neither will that soule feare to goe vnto Christ , b b 1 Ioh. 3.10 that is in Christ , it knoweth it is reconciled vnto his Sauiour c c Pal. 18.1 . Acts 5.31 . 2 Sam. 12.3 . Luk. 2 11 1 Tim. 4.10 . Matth. 1.21 . , and therefore hee néed not to feare sudden death , who is euer prepared to die : and also assured of his saluation , to liue in Heauen with the royall Priesthood d d Exod 19.6 1 Pet. 2.9 . Esay . 61.6 . Psal. 132.9 . , the peculiar people , e e Tit. 2.14 . Ioh. 10.28 , 29 , 30. , the children of light f f 2 Sam. 22.29 . , the new creatures * * Gal. 6.15 . , the elect by Gods preordination g g Eph. 1.4 . 1 Pet. 1.2 . , where all are Kings and heires with Christ h h Rom. 8.17 . Gal 4 7. Tit. 3.7 . , inuested with glorie i i Rom. 9.23 . , and crowned with Maiestie k k 2 Tim. 4 8. , to reigne with Christ in his eternall Kingdome .

Lastly , if Satan lay open all your sins that euer you haue committed , and say , they are more and greater than can bee pardoned , and so perswade you to despaire , then say vnto him , Depart Satan , I defie thée , and all thy workes ʒ if my sinnes were as many as the haires of mine head l l Psal. 40.12 , or sands in the sea m m Manass . pr. , yet it is God that iustifieth , who shall then condemne me n n Esay 50.8 . Rom. 8.32 , 33. ?

Oh Satan , I am none of thy cursed ●rew , nor by the grace of God neuer shall ●ee ; thou hast no part nor portion in me , wherefore I bequeath all , and euery one of my sinnes againe vnto thée , O Satan , from whence they came , and appeale vnto my God , in Christ , for his mercy , that hée may saue mée from thy cursed company .

Oh , thou hellish Fiend , I say againe , Depart , I doe vtterly defie thée , O take thy vgly sinnes againe , which thou hast caused me to commit ; and lay them not vnto my charge , for I am a member of my Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ d d 1 Cor. 6.15 , 19. , and partaker of his annointing e e 1 Ioh 2.27 . , and so long as I haue earnestly repented of all those sinnes which thou hast enticed mée to doe , confessed my Sauiours name f f Mat. 10.32 . Rom. 10 10 , 2 Sam. 14.11 . , and presented my selfe a liuely sacrifice of thanksgiuing vnto Almighty God g g Rom. 12.1 . Reu 4.8 , 10. 2 Pet. 5.9 . Reuel. 1.6 . Rom. 6.12.13 . , and also doe in this life by the helpe of my Sauiour h h Act. 5.31 . Luk. 2.11 . Psal. 18.1 . Mat. 1.21 . 2 Sam. 22 3. 1 Tim. 4.10 . , fight against thee thou damned Satan , and that with a cleare and good conscience i i Ephes 6.11 . Gal. 5.1 , 17. 1 Tim. 1.18 , 19. , why then should I feare thée k k 1 Pet. 5.8 . ? I am sure , that when I depart this life , I shall enioy an euerlasting Kingdome with my Creator l l Mat. 25.34 . 2 Tim. 3.12 . .

But marke this one thing aright , without fauour or affection vnto any particular sinne ; that yée be well assured that ye haue repented and are heartily sorry for all your sinnes ; as those alleaged Scriptures doe teach you m m Ezech. 18.21 , 22 , 23. 2 King 17.13 Acts 2.38 . 2 Pet. 3.8 . Acts 17.30 . Hos. 14.2 . Ier. 36.3 . Luk. 13.3 . Ier. 18.11 . Mat. 4.17 . Mat. 3.26 . , for otherwise ( if you haue but the least of your sinnes left to reigne in you ) he will soone finde matter enough to plead against you . Wherefore you must not onely barely repent , and slightly sorrow for your sinnes , and so carelesly giue them ouer , as though you could repent when you would ; but yée must accuse your sinnes , loath , hate , and detest them , your conscience must witnesse against them , and your hearts conuince them .

Oh , beloued , is it a greater terrour vnto you , to accuse your sinnes , than it was a delight to commit them ? would yée be in loue with sinne , which is the soules sicknesse , and the breach of Gods Law , which whosoeuer committeth is of the Deuill : how dare yée act those sinnes , you dare not aske for pardon ? Haue you procured Gods vengeance , and will yée refuse to aske for his mercie ? Oh , no , no ; the more penitent a sinner is , the more mercifull is God , and the readier to giue pardon .

So that all yée which haue truly repented , and fully purpose to continue in newnesse of life , may boldly say vnto Satan , or vnto any of his despairing Iudasses , that would perswade you to despaire : That the God whom I serue is able to deliuer me a a Dan. 6.16 . , so that the gates of hell shall not preuaile against me b b Mat. 16.18 . , for hee maketh mee to dwell in safetie c c Psal. 4.9 . ; yea , and that both in soule and body , whether I liue or die d d Rom. 14.8 . , I am not mine owne e e 1 Cor. 6.19 , but belong wholly vnto my Sauiour Iesus Christ f f 1 Cor. 3.23 Tit. 2.14 . , who by his precious bloud hath satisfied for all my sinnes g g 1 Pet. 1.18 , 19. Ephes. 1.7 . Heb. 9.14 . Reuel. 1.5 . Heb. 2.14 . , deliuered mee from the power of the Deuill h h Esay 53.34 , to preserue me i i Ioh. 6.39 . Ioh. 10.28 . 1 Pet. 1.5 . 2 Thess. 3.3 . from all danger , that without the will of my heauenly Father , not so much as one haire of my head shall fall from me k k Mat. 10.30 Luk. 21.18 . 2 Sam. 14.11 Acts 27.34 . . Therefore I will not doubt of my saluation , nor feare what man or Satan can doe against me ; for I will put my whole trust in the mercie of God , If he slay me , yet will I put my trust in him l l Iob 13.15 . .

And thus with a true affection and desire of heart m m Ioh. 4.23 , 24. Psal. 145.18 through the inward féeling of our miseries n n 2 Chron. 20.21 . Psal. 2.11 . Esay 66.2 . , you must cast your selues downe prostrate in the presence of Almightie God o o Rom. 10.14 , and build your selues on this sure foundation p p Iam. 1.6 . , that yée , though farre vnworthie , yet for Iesus Christ his sake , are certainly heard of God q q Ioh. 14.13 . , euen as he hath promised in his word r r Mat. 7.7 , 8. Mat. 11.24 . Luk. 11.9 . Ioh. 16.24 . .

And withall , you must bée so feruent with God in your dayly prayers , for the forgiuenesse of your sinnes , that yée must with Iacob , euen wrestle with God s s Gen. 32.26 . , and neuer let the Lord goe , vntill he blesse you : but with sighs , groanes and teares t t Iam. 4.9 . Deut. 14.5 . , bewaile your sinnes , beg for his mercies , and that so entirely , as it were for life and death ; yea wéepe for your sinnes like Mary Magdalen u u Ioh. 20.15 . , and powre forth flouds of teares like Ezechia * * 2 King 20.3 : vntill yée doe so , you shall neuer haue peace , nor quietnesse of conscience , neither any sound comfort of Gods holy Spirit in you .

Thus all those which haue truly repented , and continued in newnesse of life , are spiritually renati et iustificati , borne againe in righteousnesse , and iustified from sin ; wherefore I conclude with this beléefe , that I doe fully hope ( through the merits of Iesus Christ ) to be saued , and am resolued that eternall life belongs not vnto others only , but vnto me also : so that Christ died for my sinnes , and rose againe for my iustification ; and that God who gaue him for me , gaue me all things with him , Rom. 8.32 . If all things , then he gaue me eternall life .

This is my faith , and from this faith permanet in facto mens mea firma suo , feares shall not compell me ; & lachrymae voluuntur inanes , and teares shall not moue me to change my minde : Quia mens immota manet ; for I am fully resolued , neuer to alter it , and I doe rest in hope , and am alwayes waiting for the accomplishment thereof .

Now whereas I haue laid open the certainty of mans saluation ; as farre , and as faire as I can , by the authority of Gods word , I purpose in this second Chapter , by the helpe of God , to set forth the doctrine of repentance , and shew the necessity thereof : and so conclude according vnto this Text of Scripture , Matth. 3.2 . Repent yee .

GOod Christian Readers , if yée looke thorow the whole booke of God , from the Alpha of Genesis , vnto the Omega of the Reuelation ; you shall finde scarce any Text to be shorter than this ; yet howsoeuer there is none more néedfull , nor any more profitable ; neither doth the Holy Ghost so much labour in all the Scripture , as he doth to draw men vnto repentance , Repent yee a a Ezech. 18.21 . Eccles. 8.21 22. Ier. 18.11 . Acts 17.30 . 2 King 17.13 . Ier. 25.5 . Acts 11.18 . Luk 3 3. Ier 36.3 . Mat. 3.2 , 8. 2 Pet. 3.9 . Mat. 4.14.17 . Act. 2.38 . Hos. 14.1 , 2. Esay 31 6. Mal. 3.7 . Ezech. 33.11 Ierem. 4.14 . Esay 1.16 . Esay 55.7 . Luk. 13 3. 2 Chro. 33.6 .

Great néed requires great haste , and the wound that is déepest , hath néed of the diligentest cure , so that the longer I haue continued in sinne , the more earnestly I doe returne vnto my God by repentance ; for repentance ought to bring forth as much sorrow , as sinne gaue delight ; example in Manasses b b Manass . pr. , Mary Magdalen c c Luk. 7.18 . , and the like .

Saint Augustine was a great sinner , and wrote many bookes of repentance : which sheweth to whom much is forgiuen , they ought to loue much : and the greater their sinnes are , the more néed they haue of repentance , Repent yee .

And I which am the vnworthiest of all men , haue wrote , ( for the benefit of others , as well as my selfe ) almost all the bookes that euer I made , concerning repentance : and the longer I haue written of it , the more tender my heart is , and the more earnest my desire is to returne vnto my God by repentance , and amendment of life , in the which I pray God to gire me his grace to continue vnto my liues end .

And as a Traytor that is condemned to die , ( if he loued his Prince , ) he would goe neare to breake his heart with griefe , to thinke that he should be so villanous vnto so gracious a Prince that would forgiue al● his fact , if he would but aske for pardon , become a new man , and true subiect vnto him :

Euen so it is with me , ( through griefe for my sinnes , ) each time I behold Gods mercies towards me , ( a miserable and most wretched sinner , ) in sparing me so long , and giuing me such a large time of repentance . Repent yee . Duo verba , duo luminaria , These two words are like the two great lights in Heauen a a Gen. 1.16 . , which serue to direct vs in all our wayes , they are the Supersedeas and discharge of sin b b Iam. 3.5 . Mat. 12.41 Luk. 11.32 . Esay 1.16 . Gen. 50 17. 2 Pet. 3.9 . Ezech. 18.20 , 21. Mal. 13.7 . Esay 55.7 . Zach. 1.3 . Ezech 33.5 . Esay 56.2 . Ier. 4.14 . through the merits of Iesus Christ c c 1 Pet 1 18 , 19. Heb 9.14 . Reuel. 1.5 . : And the cause of vnity betwéene God and man . They are Imperatoria breuitas , a Lord-like breuity : T is short , for feare lest mans brittle memory should come short of it : and it is the full weight of a few words , Virtus maxima in mole minima , very much in a little . And they are more precious than any pearle , or pure gold , and as néedfull to direct me that made this booke , as you that reade it : wherefore if euer wée hope to be saued , we must needs forsake our sinnes , and with all humility returne vnto God by repentance , according vnto my Text , Repent yee .

For as God is mercifull vnto the penitent sinner g g Exod. 34.5 6 , 7. Psal. 145 9. Exod. 20 6. , he also sheweth his iustice vnto the reprobate h h Deut 32.4 . Psal. 55.6 . Exod. 20.7 . Nahum . 1.2 , 3. Wisd. 14.9 . , whose anger vnto them is most dreadfull i i Psal. 18 7. Reuel. 6 15. Heb. 12.16 . , Odio est Deo impius & impietas eius , God hateth the wicked man , and his wickednesse too k k Pro. 15.8 , 9 , 29. 1 Ioh. 3.8 . Pro 11.6 . Pro. 1.28 . , Yea , their very thoughts l l Wisd. 1.9 . Mar. 12.36 . , words and works m m Rom. 1.18 . Psal. 5.6 . Exod 20.5 . Ephes. 5 6. God hateth : and therefore without repentance there is no saluation n n Luk. 13.3 . Esay 59 2. Mal 1.2 . .

Againe , Inanis poenitentia , quam sequens culpa de nouo iterat : Vaine is that repentance which an after fall defileth : It auaileth a man nothing , to aske of God for pardon of his sinnes , and fall like an hog into the mire of his sinnefull life afresh againe .

Wherefore if yée will truly repent , yée must forsake all your sinnes for euer , and returne vnto God by repentance , as these Scriptures teach you . O yee children of Israel ( saith Esay ) turne againe from your euill wayes , wherein you haue drowned your selues a a Esay 31 6. , turne you , turne you from all your euill wayes , for why will yee die , O yee house of Israel b b Ezech. 33.11 ? Returne vnto me , and I will returne vnto you , saith the Lord c c Mal 3.7 . . Againe , O Ierusalem , wash thine heart from wickednesse that thou mayest bee saued d d Ier. 4.14 . . And againe , Let the wicked forsake their euill wayes , and returne vnto the Lord , and he will haue mercie on them , for he is mercifull , and very ready to forgiue e e Esay 55.7 . : So that , Nemo ad Deum flens accessit , qui non quod postulauit , accepit ; No man came euer wéeping vnto God , who did not receiue that which he required , ( especially if he sought it through faith in his repentance : ) wherefore Saint Peter wept bitterly , that his teares might wash away his sinnes f f Mat. 26 75. .

Oh , let vs dayly labour with all humility , to wash away the pollution of our sinnes with teares in our repentance , that we may be saued .

Now good Christian Readers , I would haue you to consider , that I made not this booke onely for mine owne priuate vse , with an Attende mihi , a suit vnto God for my selfe , ( which of all men haue most néed of repentance , ) but also like the poore Italian begger , with an Attende tihi : Now for Gods sake , your owne sake , and your soules sake , be mrecifull , be charitable , and comfortable vnto your owne soules , and Repent yee .

So that you with me , and I with you , may all from the bottome of our hearts , returne vnto the Lord by true repentance : And as Tertullian saith , Sperando timebimus , timendo cauebimus , cauendo salui erimus : In hoping or desiring to repent , we shall feare our sinnes , in fearing take héed to amend our liues , and in taking héed , ( through our true repentance ) by the merits of our Sauiour a a Psal. 18.1 . 2 Sam. 22.3 Acts 5.31 . Luk. 2.11 . Mat. 1.21 . 1 Tim. 4 1● . Iesus Christ , be saued .

For , God assures no man pardon for his sinnes b b Luk. 13.3 . Nahum . 1.2 . Esay 59 2. 1 Ioh. 1.9 . 1 Ioh. 3.8 . , but such as returne vnto him by true repentance , become new creatures c c 1 Pet. 1.23 Gal. 6 15. 2 Cor 5.17 . Rom 11.5 . , and walke in newnesse of life d d Rom. 6.4 . 1 Pet. 2 9 , 10 , 11 , 12. Acts 3 16. Ephes. 4 1. Gal 5 10. 1 Ioh. 2 3 , 5 , 6. .

Wherefore beloued , séeing that mine , and all our soules are infected with the poyson of sinne , let vs not looke , or thinke on our worldly businesse ; nor let our soules gad abroad with Dinah , but commune with our owne hearts , and returne vnto God by spéedy repentance ; for Periculum est animae , our soules lie at the stake , or point of death , bléeding with the heauie burthen of our sinnes , and can be no way cured or saued , but by repentance , whom none can pardon but God a a Luk. 5 21. Dan 9 9. Hest. 13 4. Hos. 14.1 , 4. Ioh. 1.29 . Psal. 32.1 , 2 , 3 Ioh. 1.15 , 16. Psal. 3.8 . Psal. 49.7 , 8. Mat. 1.21 . Psal. 17.7 . Luk. 17.30 . Ioh. 6.36 . Luk. 1.77 . Iohn 4 10. Psal. 79 9. Psal. 51.12 , 13. 1 Tim. 1.15 . 1 Iohn 3.5 , 6. 1 Ioh. 1.7 . Psal. 4.8 . .

Therefore let vs repent while me may haue time , and deferre it not vntill hereafter ; for , Qui non est hodie , cras minus aptus erit ; He that is not ready to repent to day , will be lesse ready to morrow ; because his heart will be more hardened , his conscience more seared , his soule more stung with sinne , and himselfe more weake to get out of the clawes of the Deuill .

O Lord my God , b b Psal. 109.25 . Psal. 7.2 . Psal. 40 6. 1 King . 7.20 , 21. Psal 18.1 . Psal. 30.2 . Psal. 99.8 , 9. it is my sinnes , oh , it is mine vnrepented sinnes , that kindleth the fire of thy wrath against me , and nothing but my teares I shed for them in my dayly repentance , through the merits of my Lord and Sauiour c c Acts 5.31 . Psal. 18.1 . Luk 2.11 . 2 Sam. 22.3 . Mat. 11.21 . 1 Tim 4. ● . Iesus Christ , will be the water to quench them . Repent yee .

If euer precept came home vnto our hearts , to warne vs to forsake our sinnes , it is this : if euer charge was reasonable , or most néedfull for our soules saluation , it is this , Repent yee .

God hath giuen vs , membra duplicia , two members , two eyes , two eares , two armes , two legges : that the failing of the one , may be supplyed by the other ; animam vero vnam , he hath giuen vs but one soule ; when that is lost there is no supplie .

I sée ( gentle Readers ) the more I enter into repentance , the more tender mine heart is , and the more my vnrepented sinnes doe grieue me , so that the griefe of mine heart is so great , for my sinnes , that I can goe no further to instruct you in the doctrine of repentance , before I haue eased mine owne heart , by bewailing my sins vnto Almighty God : and like the poore Lazarus , or wounded begger , lay ouen all my wounds , blaines , and putrifying sores of sinne , vnto my Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ .

Now I know no way better to grieue and lament for my sinnes , than with Aannah b b 1 Sam. 1.10 . , to powre out my soule vnto thée , O Lord my God c c Psal. 30.2 . Psal. 7. ● . Psal. 109.25 . 1 King . 17.20 21. Psal. 18.1 . Psal. 40.6 . Psal. 7.2 . Psal. 99.8 , 9. , by my most humble fasting , and deuout praying , with all humility vnto thée , thot through thy merits dnd bitter passion on the crosse ) vpon my true repentance ) thou wilt haue mercy on me , O Lord haue mercy on me .

Wherefore with griefe for my sinnes , from the bottome of mine heart , I will prostrate my selfe before thée , my swéet and louing Sauiour d d 2 Sam. 22.3 Acts 5.31 . Psal. 18.1 . Luk. 2.11 . 1 Tim. 4.10 . Mat. 1.21 . , most humbly desiring thy mercifull eares to heare , and pitifull eyes to looke backe vpon me , as thou diddest on the woman of Canaan e e Mat. 15.28 , the poore Publican f f Luk. 18.13 . , on Mary Magdalen g g Ioh. 20.15 : , or the penitent theefe h h Luk. 23.40 , which came vnto thée in his last houre .