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,Eccles. 39.20. and knoweth all things, both past, present, and to come;1 Sam. 2.3. hath from the beginning of the world, and doth to the end there­ofEsay 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,Mat. 16.17 out of all Nations, the flower of all mankinde, to be an ho­ly companie of chosen peopleIoh. 10.28, 29, 30. Tit. 2.14. preserued for eternall life, whom nothing can sepa­rate from God but sinne,Esay 59.2 and nothing [Page] sooner than to despaire of his mercy, which is ouer all his workesPsal. 143.9.

And therefore all you that would forsake your sins to be the children of God, must haue an assured trust,Heb. 11.17. Iam. 1.6. Ephes. 3.12. Rom. 10.10. kindled in your hearts by the Holy Ghost,Ioh. 6.29. Mat. 16.16, 17. 2 Cor. 4.13. through the WordRom. 10.17 Rom. 1.16. Acts 10.44. whereby you may be assuredly re­solued,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 hisRom. 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 sinnedRom. 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 GhostMat. 16.17. Ioh. 10.28, 29., for your sinnes before commit­ted; you may embrace the benefits of Iesus Christ by a liuely faithIoh. 3.18., with a full determination to continue in new­nesse of life, yea, and that with a pure conscience and perswasion of minde1 Ioh. 2.2., that the full and perfect satisfaction, righteous­nesse, and holinesse of Christ1 Ioh. 2.1. without any righteousnesse of yours,Tit. 3.5. Ezech. 36.22 but of the méere mercy of GodRom. 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; [Page] and If your sinnes were as red as scarlet, hee will make them as white as snow; Esay 1.18. and so you shall bée made heires of eternall lifeIoh. 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;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 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 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 sauedIer. 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 [Page] himselfe, to continue in sinne; for it will cost him many a prayer,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,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 feruentIam. 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,Reu. 1 5. 1 Ioh. 1.7. put on Christ,Gal. 3.27. receiued inward grace,Tit. 3.7. made the sonne of God,Luk. 20.36. 1 Ioh. 3.1. Rom. 8.14. Ioh. 1.12. Gal. 3.26. 2 Cor. 6.18. and heire with Christ,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 [Page] 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: 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 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 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 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 2 Cor 31., where is laid vp for me a crowne, of righteousnesse 2 Tim. 5; so [Page] 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, Rom. 8.38, 39. which is in Christ Iesus my Sauiour, 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 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 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 ChristIoh. 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 Luk. 23.42, and Paul to say, that Christ gaue himselfe for me Gal. 2.20., and in another place, I know on whom I haue beleeued 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 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 Ier. 32.38., and for­giue their iniquities, and remember their sinnes no more Heb. 10.17: And thus the greater your faith is, the greater is your assu­rance1 Pet. 1.7, 8, 9..

Thus Gods word assures you, that if [Page] yée haue truly repented, and continue in newnesse of life, ye shall liue, and not die: but saue your soule aliue Ezech. 18.21, 22. to enioy eternall life. Thus, if ye were neuer so weary and heauie laden, ye shall be eased Mat. 11.28; If your sinnes were as red as scarlet, they shall be made as white as snow Esay 1.18.: All this our gracious God hath promised, which cannot lye; and hath not only sworne thereunto by an oathHeb. 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 TestamentIer. 1.33. Ier. 32 44. Ier. 24.7., the other in the NewHeb. 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 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 1 Ioh 5 24. Againe, Know yee not your owne selues (saith hée) how Iesus Christ is in you, except yee bee reprobates 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 [Page] 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 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 2 Pet. 1.10; nei­ther will that soule feare to goe vnto Christ,1 Ioh. 3.10 that is in Christ, it knoweth it is reconciled vnto his SauiourPal. 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 PriesthoodExod 19.6 1 Pet. 2.9. Esay. 61.6. Psal. 132.9., the peculiar people,Tit. 2.14. Ioh. 10.28, 29, 30., the children of light2 Sam. 22.29., the new creaturesGal. 6.15., the elect by Gods preordinationEph. 1.4. 1 Pet. 1.2., where all are Kings and heires with ChristRom. 8.17. Gal 4 7. Tit. 3.7., inuested with glorieRom. 9.23., and crowned with Maiestie2 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 [Page] head Psal. 40.12, or sands in the sea Manass. pr., yet it is God that iustifieth, who shall then condemne me 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 Christ1 Cor. 6.15, 19., and partaker of his annointing1 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 Mat. 10.32. Rom. 10 10, 2 Sam. 14.11., and presented my selfe a liuely sacrifice of thanksgiuing vnto Almighty GodRom. 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 SauiourAct. 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 conscienceEphes 6.11. Gal. 5.1, 17. 1 Tim. 1.18, 19., why then should I feare thée1 Pet. 5.8.? I am sure, that when I depart this life, I shall enioy an euerlasting Kingdome with my CreatorMat. 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 [Page] all your sinnes; as those alleaged Scrip­tures doe teach youEzech. 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 Dan. 6.16., so that the gates of hell shall not preuaile against me Mat. 16.18., for hee maketh mee to dwell in safetie Psal. 4.9.; [Page] yea, and that both in soule and body, whe­ther I liue or die Rom. 14.8., I am not mine owne 1 Cor. 6.19, but belong wholly vnto my Sauiour Iesus Christ 1 Cor. 3.23 Tit. 2.14., who by his precious bloud hath satisfied for all my sinnes 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 Esay 53.34, to preserue me 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 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 Iob 13.15..

And thus with a true affection and de­sire of heartIoh. 4.23, 24. Psal. 145.18 through the inward fée­ling of our miseries2 Chron. 20.21. Psal. 2.11. Esay 66.2., you must cast your selues downe prostrate in the presence of Almightie GodRom. 10.14, and build your selues on this sure foundationIam. 1.6., that yée, though farre vnworthie, yet for Iesus Christ his sake, are certainly heard of GodIoh. 14.13., euen as he hath promised in his wordMat. 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 Gen. 32.26., and ne­uer let the Lord goe, vntill he blesse you: but with sighs, groanes and tearesIam. 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 Ioh. 20.15., and powre forth flouds of teares like Ezechia 2 King 20.3: vntill yée doe so, [Page] 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 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 Manass. pr., Mary Magdalen Luk. 7.18., and the like.

Saint Augustine was a great sinner, and wrote many bookes of repentance: which [Page] 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 HeauenGen. 1.16., which serue to direct vs in all our wayes, they are the Supersedeas and discharge of sinIam. 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 Christ1 Pet 1 18, 19. Heb 9.14. Reuel. 1.5.: And the [Page] cause of vnity betwéene God and man. They are Imperatoria breuitas, a Lord­like breuity: Tis 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 sinnerExod. 34.5 6, 7. Psal. 145 9. Exod. 20 6., he also sheweth his iustice vnto the reprobateDeut 32.4. Psal. 55.6. Exod. 20.7. Nahum. 1.2, 3. VVisd. 14.9., whose anger vnto them is most dreadfullPsal. 18 7. Reuel. 6 15. Heb. 12.16., Odio est Deo im­pius & impietas eius, God hateth the wic­ked man, and his wickednesse tooPro. 15.8, 9, 29. 1 Ioh. 3.8. Pro 11.6. Pro. 1.28., Yea, their very thoughtsWisd. 1.9. Mar. 12.36., words and worksRom. 1.18. Psal. 5.6. Exod 20.5. Ephes. 5 6. God hateth: and therefore without re­pentance there is no saluationLuk. 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[Page] Israel (saith Esay) turne againe from your euill wayes, wherein you haue drowned your selues Esay 31 6., turne you, turne you from all your euill wayes, for why will yee die, O yee house of Israel Ezech. 33.11? Returne vnto me, and I will returne vnto you, saith the LordMal 3.7.. A­gaine, O Ierusalem, wash thine heart from wickednesse that thou mayest bee saued 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 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 sinnesMat. 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 SauiourPsal. 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 sinnesLuk. 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 crea­tures1 Pet. 1.23 Gal. 6 15. 2 Cor 5.17. Rom 11.5., and walke in newnesse of lifeRom. 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 GodLuk. 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 [Page] 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,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 SauiourActs 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 [Page] 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 1 Sam. 1.10., to powre out my soule vnto thée, O Lord my GodPsal. 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 Sauiour2 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 CanaanMat. 15.28, the poore PublicanLuk. 18.13., on Mary Magdalen Ioh. 20.15:, or the penitent theefeLuk. 23.40, which came vnto thée in his last houre.