Institutions of Christian religion framed out of Gods word, and the writings of the best diuines, methodically handled by questions and answers, fit for all such as desire to know, or practise the will of God. Written in Latin by William Bucanus Professor of Diuinitie in the Vniuersitie of Lausanna. And published in English by Robert Hill, Bachelor in Diuinitie, and Fellow of Saint Iohns Colledge in Cambridge, for the benefit of our English nation, to which is added in the end the practise of papists against Protestant princes.

ƲƲhat is the efficient cause of Repentance?

It is God himselfe. Lament. 5.21. Turne thou vs, O Lord, and vve shall bee turned, and shall bee saued. Ier. 31.18. Turne mee, O Lord, and I shall bee turned: for after I conuerted, I repented. Eze. 36.26. I vvill giue you a nevv heart, and I vvill put a nevve spirit vvithin you.

Act. 11.18. The Church praiseth the goodnesse of God, because hee had giuen repentance to the Gentiles vnto saluation. And Paule 2. Timoth. 2.25.26. commaunding the Ministers to bee patient towarde vnbeleeuers saith, If at any time GOD vvill giue them repentance, vvhereby they may come to amendment of life out of the snare of the diuell.

And Ephe. 2.10. wee are saide, in respect of Regeneration, The vvorkmanshippe of God created vnto good vvorkes, vvhich hee hath prepared that vve should vvalke therein. For hee treateth heere of grace, and not of nature, against Pelagius, and against the Semi∣pelagians who faine, that nature onely weakned, is helped by grace.

2. The Holy Ghost, who affecteth and moueth the heartsa. Whereupon also hee is called the spirit of regeneration and sanctification. Tit. 3.5. Not by the vvorkes of righteousnesse which vvee had done, but according to his mercie hee saued vs, by the vvashing of the nevv birth, and the renevving of the ho∣lie Ghost, that is, which the Holy Ghost bestoweth and ef∣fecteth.

3. The administring or fellow working causes, are the mini∣sters of the word. Act. 26.17. I send thee (saith Christ to Paule) to the Gentiles, that thou maist open their eies, that they may turne from darknesse to light. And. 1. Cor. 4.15. in Christ Iesus I haue begotten you through the Gospell.

4. The instruments are, the Word and Sacraments. Ier. 23.29. Is not my vvord euen like a fire, saith the Lord, and like an hammer that breaketh the stone.

Notes

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  Act. 15.18.