Works, Part 4 · Religious instruction · Chapter 59
CHAP. LIX. Of Repentance.
OVr conuersion to the Lorde, must bee with our whole heart, without exception,How we must cōuert to the Lord, & the notes of a true conuersion. inward without hypocrisie, speedie without delay, continuall without Apostasie, in faith without despaire. First it must bee of the whole heart: many repent, but they will except one sinne. Dauid saith, Cleanse me Lord from all my sinnes, but wee will hauehave the Lord dispense with some sinne. 1. Corinth. 5. A little leauen will sowre much, a little Serpent will sting much. Origen writeth very well, that Christ did cast out, not sixe, but seuen diuels out of Magdalen, for all must be cast out, a cleane riddance must be made,1 as seuen diuels out of her, so all sinnes out of vsus. Secondly, it must bee inward, many hauehaveAll sinnes. clensed their hands, but not their hearts, such sinnes as stare a man in the face, are too2 palpable, wee must bee doing against little sinnes. For sinne is a Serpent, whose tayleWe must not repent only of st…ring and grosse sinnes. many hauehave cut off, but fewe hauehave touched the head: nay many hauehave a whole and vntouched Serpent, who neither touch tayle nor head, who proclaime with a Trumpet their re probation. Wee must not cleanse the outside of the platter onelyonly, but wee must say in our conscience; This action (oh Lord) hauehave I presented to thee with simplicitie. Thirdly, wee3 must doe it speedily. For though the Lord saith: At what time soeuer a sinner doth repent, &c. Speedy repentance.so hee saith, Blessed is the man that hath borne the yoke from his youth, for to giuegive the prime dayes to the diuell, and our dogge dayes to the Lord, what is but to powre out the wine toSimile. the world, and to giuegive the dregs to God? But if wee serue God when wee may serue the diuell,Non dico saluabi…u…, non dico damnabitur. the Lord will hauehave vsus, when Sathan would leaue vsus, Augustine being asked of ones estate by letters, who had deferred his repentance to the ende, said: I will not auouch hee shall be saued, nor that he shall be condemned: but saith hee to him that wrote to him: RepentAge tu poenitentiam dum sanus …. you while you be well. It must bee continuall, least hauing begun in the spirit, we end in the flesh: Blessed are they that perseuere, for so long as we liue we are in danger of falling. There be many that are not called: of them that are called many are not chosen. GodsRepentance must bee continued. graces are no longer with vsus than God himselfe is with vsus. Wherfore seeing he is departed from many of our brethrē, which first departed from him, let vsus beware we be not as dogs that returne to our vomit. Lastly, wee must doe it in faith: Christ teacheth vsus to say, LordMicrópistoi. increase our faith, for we are of little faith. Now faith is esteemed according to the qualitie,Simile. not according to the quantitie: the leprous hand though it cannot hold wel, if it receiuethRepent in faith. any thing, doth some dutie. The child that cānot go is not forsaken, but hath his guide, weSimile. must learne then to holde fast, and to goe by them as hand in hand, whom the Lord shallKatalambánein. assigne ouer vsus to guard vsus.
2 It is the prosperitie of all true repenting sinners, to fall with humility, to rise with dignitie,Properties of true penitē …s. and as the more grieuously they hauehave offended, so the more humbly they will craue to be accepted; the higher the dignitie is from which they are fallen, the lower is the place whereunto they would be receiued. And hee knoweth best what a godly thing it is to rise,Nō nou… substantia creatur, sed l…befactata repatatur. that …ightly knoweth what a foule thing it is to fall. For if a man be downe, if Sathan …ath assaulted him, if sinne hath wounded him, if his owne flesh hath betrayed him, so that hee lieth stricken with Sathan, with sinne, and with himselfe, against himselfe: then shewe meAfter our repentance, our strife with Sathan, doth continue to the end of our dayes. whether it be not a godly thing that the same man in number, though not in nature, the same in person, though not in propertie: for a newe substance is not created, but the sa…e being fallen is restored, falling a naturall man should rise a spirituall man, not to be that …e was, and to bee that which he was not: neither must any man so far flatter himselfe, that h…e should thinke himselfe at any time to rise so farre, as that he may cast off sinne as an vpper garment, to lay it aside vntill he list to vse it. For the seede of the woman hauing bruised the Serpents head, the sword of the spirit hauing hamstringed Sathan: the great Captaine CHRIST IESVS, hauing spoyled the strong man of his furniture, it cannot be but many broyles and bickerings will be behind, and some blowes wilbe in the controuersie, so longWhat sinne we repent not truely of, wee fall to it againe. as we be in this life.
3 When the Israelites were in Egypt, and saw things fall acrosse, they murmured against Moses: but being brought thence by him, and seeing things prosper, they willingly went with him, and left off their murmuring; but when any newe occasion was offered, for the triall of their Faith & patience, they fell thereinto againe, because they did not truly repentNote. them of it. And this we may see in all kind of sinners, which for a time may leaue their sin,Sorow for sin. How to ouercome our particular sinne. and yet not repenting from their heart, when a new occasion is offered, doe fall more fouly then euer they did before, as adulterers, angrie persons, theeues: the lothsomnes of which sinnes, leauing a sting in their conscience, may cause them to leaue them for a time, yet because they labour not with their harts and affections, but only rest in iudgement, they hauehave no sound sorrow for it, & therefore fall afresh. This must teach vsus therefore, if we will truelyThe people which murmured in the wildernesse, gaue a mani est …igne thereby, that they repented not of their murmuring in Aegipt. leaue any sin, both to condemne it in iudgement, and to hate it in affection, that so wee truely being penitent, that is, carefull to leaue our sinnes, desirous to do the contrary good, we may hauehave power and strength from aboue to ouercome them.
4 We may reade in the 16▪ of Exodus, how the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses & Aaron, which is a manifest signe, that they neuer repented them of their murmuring in Egypt, at the red Sea, and waters of strife. And although the Lord delayed the punishment, yet could they not bee brought hereby to repentance, because they neither felt what their murmuring deserued, nor what the merciemercy of God is worth▪ We must then learne, not only to leaue sinne, and purpose not to commit it againe, but we must with griefe of heart repent of it, feele Gods mercies in forgetting it, and a harty hatred of it. Otherwise when a new occasion is offered, we shall fall thereinto againe, as a swearerTo leaue a sin wee must first hauehave griefe of heart for it: 2▪ a feeling of Gods mercies in forgeting it 3. a hearty hatred of it. Wee must see our harts desiled with the sin we leaue, else it is impossible to repent. will after an Oath be angrie for it, yet because he seeth not the grieuousnes of the sinne, hath not acquaintance with the reuerend vse of the Name of GOD, falleth to sweare againe: So it is with them that prophane the Sabbath of the Lorde, and of them that speake euill of the magistrates & minsters, they say they will do so no more, and yet because they repent not, therefore they fall againe: So is this seene in angrie persons, which are rather grieued for shame or losse, or such like causes, & not for the louelove of GOD: so it is in thieues, which come to the gallowes againe, although once receiued their pardon. This also may be seene in Tale-bearers, when their dealing is knowne, they maruell at themselues; yet not repenting, they fall to their sinne againe. The Apostle Saint Iames in his fourth chapter teacheth vsus, not only to clense the hands, but to purge the heart also: for we must see our hearts defiled with the sinne wee leaue, or else it is impossible to repent, for the heart being still defiled, will yeeld to a new occasion. The means to leaue these sins is there set downe, to howle and weepe, &c. Iam. 4. for the burnt child feareth the fire: but because God doth not throughly punish men, & because mens hearts do not feele the grieuousnes of sinne, and Gods iudgements due to them for the same, therefore they sinne afresh: but if they did feele Gods wrath, and the grieuousnes of their sinnes, then no doubt they would shake at the appearance of euill. Therefore that we may come to this, and hate those sinnes that especially do preuaile against vsus, we must vse sharpe medicines, as in an old festered sore, they vse corrosiueSimile. salues: for there are some kind of sinnes like to some kind of diuels, which cannot be cast out without prayer and fasting. And when wee cannot bee healed with ordinarie meanes, the disease still continuing, then must we vse extraordinarie, which if wee doe, the Lord wil lift vsus vp, and in the end giuegive vsus power to trample sinne vnderneath our feet. ForWee must hauehave most griefe for our chiefest and greatest sinnes. if we had more griefe for our chiefest and greatest sinnes, God would giuegive vsus a heart to hate them, and to feare the least occasions that might draw vsus vntounto them: so should wee bee for euer preserued from them, they should neuer preuaile against vsus.
5 Sinne doth much grieue the Lord, although in great merciemercy he doth long and oftentimes forbeare the punishment therof: which should much moue vsus and cause vsus when we see our often fallings, greatly to bee greued thereat, and highly to bee displeased with our selues for the same, least we fall into presumption. And when our owne consciences, & the diuell doe accuse vsus for such sinnes as we hauehave committed against the Lord, as then we are to bewaile and lament our goings astray, and displeasing of our God: so are wee to trust in his promises, and to embrace his mercies, least we bee ouewhelmed with griefe, and so fall into despaire, for the diuel euer and continually laboureth to bring vsus either to the one or the other, presumption or desperation. Therefore when wee hauehave sinned, and yet doe rebuke our selues, being much displeased with our selues, because of Sinne, wee areNote a good lesson. to comfort our selues, the Lord will shew his merciemercy vponupon vsus: for if hee shewed vsus his merciemercy when we were not grieued, how much more when wee vnfainedly lament? If hee hath waited vponupon vsus, to doe vsus good before wee repented, how much more shall his goodnes appeare towards vsus vnfainedly repenting?
6 What is the cause that men can be so well content to lie in their sins without repentance,The causes of im…netency. and thinke all is well, if they can for a while forbeare and abstaine from them? This no doubt is the cause, because they set not themselues before the iudgement feare of God,1 and of Christ, and therein feare to consider how grieuous a thing sin is in the sight of God:2 how greatly it displeaseth him, and what fearfull condemnation abideth them, that securely3 and carelesly continue in their sinnes. For if men could consider this, that their sins prouoke4 the wrath of the Lord against them, and do procure euerlasting condemnation to be powred out vponupon them, they would no doubt feele sinne most grieuous vntounto them, yea, a burthen that presseth them downe to hell, then would their spirits be vexed within them, and their hearts bruised with the due consideration of their sinnes▪ yet all this would not bring them out of their sinnes. For the law condemneth and worketh wrath, and the iudgements of the Lord doe cast down, wound and kill, that so we might be fit to receiue the Lord Iesus, who came to raise vp, to heale and giuegive life to such as are fallen sicke, and dead. And still is hee present to helpe those which are in like manner distressed: for till such time he will not worke vponupon them, to cure and deliuer them from their sinnes: hee was sent onelyonly to the sicke, &c. and those no doubt he will heale.
Hereof it commeth to passe that many doe continue in their sinnes, and are not deliueredNote. from the power of them: because they are not wounded with a feare of Gods iudgement, and so driuen to seeke their helpe in Christ, but in their owne power: for thinking sin to be but a small matter, they goe about to suppresse it by their own strength, and by their owne power to subdue and ouercome it. Wherefore the Lord, that hee may let them see that without the helpe of Christ, their strength is nothing and their labour spent in vaine: doth suffer them againe, and againe to be buffeted with their sinnes: yea and if they wil not then flie out of themselues vntounto Christ, they shall receiue the foyle & be ouercome therewith: to the end they might be brought & framed at the length (if they belong vntounto God) to be fit matter for the Lord to worke vponupon. And then no doubt, if we can come thus humbled in our selues vnderunder the mightie hand of God; and by vnfained praier, craue forgiuenesse at the Lords hands, for Iesus Christs sake, and desire continually the assistance of his holy spirit, wee shall encrease in faith, and feele the cleare forgiuenes of our sins, and in him we shall find strength against sinne, and shall feele his power working in our weakenes, orRepentance after forgiuenes. as sorrow must goe before, so repentance must come fast after forgiuenesse.
7 Some when they hauehave sinned reason thus, the Lord doth not punish me for my si…s, therfore he hath forgiuen them; but this kind of reasoning is false and dangerous, because it abuseth the great merciemercy of God to hardnesse of heart: and that the Lord will punish, though he forbeare for a time, it is plaine, Exod. 34. 7. Which if wee would consider, then would the goodnes and the long suffering of the Lord lead vsus to repentance, Rom. 2. …4.
8 The Lord wil spare his iudgements in them, in whom he s…eth a true louelove of true Religion: for they that louelove Religion will desire to heare, and hearing the word, they wil…ot fall to any sinne, or if they fall into sinnes, they will not lie in them long.
9 When our sin hath lesse liking in vsus, there is hope that it wil decay in vsus: especially if we sorrow for it, when we cannot fully forsake it, and labour to forsake it because it is sinne.
10 Those things neuer hurt vsus which grieue vsus: but those things hurt vsus which grieu…vsus not. A sure experiment it is, whether that sinne wherewith we are tempted oftentimes …halHow to know whether one speciall sinne shal get dominion ouer vsus. get the dominion ouer vsus or not; If the oftner it tempteth vsus, the more we are grieued a… it, and the more ground we get to the contrarie vertue, it shal not raigne. But if the first comming of sinne wrought a griefe in vsus, and by the after and oftner comming our griefe▪ bee lesse and lesse, it is much to be feared, that in time it will preuaile, and vtterly ouercome vsus.
11 Vnlesse our sinnes be palpable, and plainely laid before our eyes: it is hard to bring vsus to any shame and sorrow for them.
12 We ought to grow in repentance, as God groweth in punishments: Gods childrenPriuiledges of the Elect. hauehave this priuiledge: First, they shall be called by the word. Secondly, if that will not se…ue, they shall be called by Gods workes: either of merciemercy or iustice in others. Thirdly if they1 profit not, they shall taste of them in themselues. First by small measure, seldome and a…ttle2 time; if they be not thus bettered, they shal hauehave them in greater measure, oftner & …onger.3 Fourthly, if they neither profit not at all, first or last, or be euer vncontrolled and suffered4 to thriue in their sinne, they are either much hardned or else bastards.
13 Let vsus make much of repentance, for it is not in our power, but in the Lord wh… giueth,Repentance Gods gift. when, to whom, and in what measure it pleaseth him.
14 We can marke what men are spared, and so flatter our selues; but we marke not how they repent, least we should disquiet our selues.
15 Afflictions yeeld ioy in time to come, when by them wee are the more wea…ie ofAfflictions open the eares of many. sinne, and more carefull of repentance.
16 It is good to be afflicted, that thereby we may be brought to know our sins: like wise to know afflictions before they come, that they do not ouerwhelme vsus: And thē is the ministeryIob. 33. 16. of the Law necessarie in the Church: for afflictiōs are but appendices of the threatnings, for they that despise Gods threatnings, care not for affliction, and they neuer come, but when we profite not by threatnings. Againe, the threatnings doe certainly moue and teach; but afflictions do thē vncertainly, (this generall doctrine may be seene in the whole course of the Scripture) also that the promises are neuer ministred before we …e throughly humbled. As in Adam, Noe, Abraham, Ioseph, Moses in many, and in the children of Israel, Dauid and others; so that repentance and faith are ioyned together, and repentance proceedeth of godly sorrow: if wee be bold to comfort our selues afore wee bee thus beaten down, our comfort is counterf…it, and we do but deceiue our selues, and this ordinarie working of God is ioyned with great equitie: for if wee be not thus humbled, our consciencesThe mercies of God to whom they are deare & pretious. touched with the guilt of sinne will still looke for punishment. Againe, the mercies of God are neuer so precious and deere, as when they light on a troubled conscience. And therefore Esay saith. That the fee…e of them that bring glad glad tidings, are pleasant to those that had been long in captiuitie Esay 52. 7. As Ioseph knowing the policie of Sathan, who …n sorrowe seeketh to bring vsus to desperation, comforted his brethren: So Paul would not hauehave the incestuous personBe not sad. to be ouerwhelmed with griefe, and when hee had made the Corinthians sorie, hee doth comfort them againe. So N…hemiah, after that the people had wept, saide, this is not a day of mourning: So Esay vseth fearefull threatnings, yet after is most plentifull in comforts. As presumption must carefully be auoided, that men may be brought throughly to feeleEsay 23. their sinnes; so must desperation also, least that Sathan draw vsus away for want of feeling the mercies of God: and this is to cut the worde aright, which all men must pray, that it may be found in the Ministers. It is not meant, that Ioseph would not hauehave his brethiē sorrowfulVerse 5. Whom yee sold. at all: for why then vsed he the meanes thereunto before? but he auoideth the extremities whereunto we are ready to fall, and would not hauehave them so ouer sorrowfull. Hee doth not vpbraid them, for he had freely forgiuen them, & was cleare from reuenge, but he nameth their sinne, that they still may hauehave some feeling of it, and so must we doe.
17 A certaine woman being conuerted to Christianitie, by a ciuill Iustice, seeing him afterward slide from the faith, and the saide Iustice going about to corrupt her; after he had conuerted her: She said, Sir, I heard you speake as the Lord, & in hearing you I heard you not so much your selfe, but I learned of Christ by you: I heard not, I say, you as man, but I heard by you the Lord our God which is inuisible.
18 It is no more maruel for a prophane person, to be as senselesse in good things at theNote beginning of his conuersion, then for one bound and brought vp in a prison to bee ignorant of the things of the world.