[An apology for the treatise, called A triall of faith. Concerning the precedency of repentance for sinne, before faith in Christ for pardon]

The Apology.

To this I say, that had I intended, to prooue a precedency of repentance, vnto faith in Christ, some space of time, then (I confesse) this answere had beene suffi∣cient to that Argument, because (as it is propounded) it prooues no more: but for∣asmuch as my purpose was not so much but lesse, viz. a precedency in nature on∣ly, therefore is not the answere to pur∣pose, and consequently (for all that) it is sound and good: for two things may be in time as soone one as another, and yet in nature the one may goe before the other, as fire and heate, a father and a childe, else how can they with any colour hold faith and repentance to be together in time, and yet faith to go before it in nature and in order of causes.

Though my Argument be good as it is in the Treatise for all that which they haue answered vnto it, yet (as I shall now propound it) it shall be more strong.

If liuing in sinne go before not belee∣uing in Christ as a cause and meanes there∣of, then repenting of sin, goes before belee∣uing in Christ, as a cause and meanes there∣of. But the first is true therefore the second.

The consequence is good, because to liue in sinne, and to repent are contrary, so are not to beleeue in Christ and to beleeue in him, so that if vnrepentance, impeni∣tency, or liuing in sinne, be a meanes and cause of not beleeuing, and to be a meanes and cause of a thing goes before it in nature, then penitency, repentance, or not liuing in sinne, is a meanes and cause of beleeuing in Christ, and consequently goes before it in nature.

The Assumption I prooue by Ioan. 5.44.* 1.1 where by the iudgement of learned Interpreters) the Holy Ghost assignes this for a reason, and cause of the infidelity of the Scribes, and Pharisees, and why they beleeued not in Christ, viz. they li∣ued in worldly pride, ambition, and coue∣tuousnesse. And if this were truely veri∣fied of them in those dayes, then may it be sayd of men in these dayes that liuing in their sinnes, is a cause why they beleeue not in Christ, and consequently leauing of mens sinnes, (viz. in purpose) is some cause or meanes of beleeuing in Christ,

and therefore goes before it in nature.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Thomas Aqui. Caluin. Mus••nlus. Illiricus. Rollocrus. Piscatori com∣mentary on the place.