The whole treatise of the cases of conscience distinguished into three bookes: the first whereof is revised and corrected in sundrie places, and the other two annexed. Taught and deliuered by M. W. Perkins in his holy-day lectures, carefully examined by his owne briefes, and now published together for the common good, by T. Pickering Bachelour of Diuinitie. Whereunto is adioyned a twofold table: one of the heads and number of the questions propounded and resolued; another of the principall texts of Scripture vvhich are either explaned, or vindicated from corrupt interpretation.

Sect. 4.

The third dutie necessarie to saluation, is * 1.1 Repentance. In which, two things are to be considered; the beginning, namely, a godly Sorrow, which is the beginning of Repen∣tance, 2. Corinth. 7. and vpon this sorrow a Change, which is indeede Repentance it selfe. In Sorrow we consider, first, the nature of it; secondly, the properties of it. Touch∣ing the nature of sorrow, it is either inward or outward. The inward sorrow, is when a man is displeased with himselfe for his sinnes. The outward, when the heart declares the griefe thereof by teares, or such like signes. And sorrow in this case, called a god∣ly sorrow, is more to be esteemed by the first of these, then by the second. The propertie of this sorrow, is to make vs to be displeased with our selues, for our sinnes directly, be∣cause they are sinnes, and doe displease God. If there were no iudge, no hel, nor death, yet we must be grieued because we haue offen∣ded, so mercifull a God and louing father. And as godly sorrow will make vs thus to doe, so is it the next cause of repentance, and by this is repentance discerned.

The next thing in Repentāce, is the Change of the minde and whole man in affection, life, and conuersation. And this standeth in a constant purpose of the minde, and resoluti∣on of the heart, not to sinne, but in euery

thing to doe the will of God. Hereupon Paul exhorteth them, to whome he wrote, to continue in the loue of God, and in the o∣bedience * 1.2 of his word. Barnabas when he came to Antioch, and had seene the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted all, that with pur∣pose of heart they should cleaue vnto God, or conti∣nue with the Lord. So the Prophet Ezckiel saith, if the wicked will turne from all his sinnes, * 1.3 and keepe all my statutes, and doe that which is lawfull and right, he shall surely liue and shall not die. In this purpose stands the very nature of repentance, and it must be ioyned with humiliation and faith, as a third thing auaile∣able to saluation, and not to be seuered from them. For a man in shewe may haue many good things: as for example, he may be humbled, and seeme to haue some strength of faith; yet if there be in the saide man, a want of this purpose and resolution not to sinne, the other are but dead things, and vn∣profitable, and for all them, he may come to eternall destruction. Furthermore, we must distinguish this kinde of purpose, from the minde and purpose of carnall men, theeues, drunkards, harlots, vsurers; for they will con∣fesse their sinnes, and be sorie for them, yea and shed some teares, wishing they had ne∣uer sinned as they haue. In these men, indeed there is a wishing will for the time, but no setled purpose. And it is a propertie of na∣ture to auoid euill, but to haue a constant re∣solution

of not sinning, is a gift of grace; and for this it is, that we must labour; otherwise our repentance, is no true and sound repen∣tance.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Repentance.
• * 1.2

  Act. 11. 23.
• * 1.3

  Ezek. 18. 21.