Andrew's REPENTANCE, Sounding Alarm, To Return from his sins unto Almighty God. Perfectly guiding all those that hope to be saved, in the direct way of Repentance, whereby they may attain eternal life: newly made in the Autumn or declining of his age. Serò sed seriò. Wherein is contained, not only what Repentance is, and the necessity thereof; but also (for the better satisfying of the doubtful,) here is so plain a resolution, concerning the assurance of the penitent man's salvation, and that so directly penned, with proofs of holy Scripture, according unto the Word of God; that I hope there is not the least doubt to be made of it by any man, (if there be never so little of God's grace in him,) but upon his true repentance, he may be assured of his salvation, and certainly know whether he shall be saved or damned. LONDON, Printed for john Wright, and are to be sold at his shop, at the sign of the Bible in Gilt-spur street, without Newgate. 1631. Christian Readers, I do here dedicate and direct this my Book unto all you that are the elect children of God, desiring through jesus Christ, your health in the Lord. GOod Christian Readers, Treatises or Books of this kind we have too few; but of lascivious too many: and whereas I have formerly published unto the view of the world, many small books, for the setting forth of God's glory, the discharge of my conscience, and the benefit of you the children of God, in the which I desired not the praise of men, seeing it is but vanity, neither did I look for preferment, the world is so corrupted: for I here openly protest, I fear none but God, whose truth I teach, and hate nothing but sin, which is the destruction of the soul; neither do I care for my life, so it were lost in the defence of the Gospel. And now seeing that my former books are so vendible, and so well liking unto the children of God, that in short time there have been diverse impressions printed, I have therefore now set forth another book, entitled Andrew's Repentance: which I made and composed for mine own private use, intending to engross it to myself. And although it came forth last, which should have been first, yet notwithstanding, whereas it is serò, yet it is serio. And being made in the autumn, or declining of mine age, yet I doubt not by the help of God, but it will continue the whole time of my life: hoping you will grace me with your favourable suspense, until my deeds prove my doctrine. And withal, I most entirely desire you, and every one of you, (even for my Saviour jesus Christ his sake) that shall gather any spiritual comfort to cure your souls out of these my labours, to pray unto our Lord jesus Christ for me, to give me his grace to return unto him by speedy repentance, and therein to guide me with his Word, and direct me by his holy Spirit, that what I either preach or write, I may both in life and doctrine express, and perform the same unto my life's end, that whilst I endeavour to raise others, I may raise myself, from all my sins, unto the glory of God's holy name and the salvation of my own soul. And so do for me an earnest repentant sinner, even as you yourselves, towards yourselves, expect from jesus Christ. Valete in Christo. Yours towards you, as I would you should be for me, john Andrew's Preacher of God's Word. Andrew's Repentance, Sounding Alarm, to return from his sins unto Almighty God. The first Chapter treaterh of the certainty of man's salvation; wherein he may clearly see, whether he shall be saved or damned; with a most perfect rule directed by the holy Scripture, to guide him in the right way to avoid his sins; and how to attain eternal life. ALmighty God, * Gen. 17.1. that seeth from everlasting to everlasting, a Eccles. 39.20. and knoweth all things, both past, present, and to come; b 1 Sam. 2.3. hath from the beginning of the world, and doth to the end thereof c Esay 59.21. jer. 32.37. Gen. 17.7. Acts 2.39. jer. 31.33. Heb. 10.16, 17. Ezech. 18.21, 22. jer. 24.7, 8, 9, 10. gather, and preserve unto himself, by his hnly Spirit, d Mat. 16.17 out of all Nations, the flower of all mankind, to be an holy company of chosen people * joh. 10.28, 29, 30. Tit. 2.14. preserved for eternal life, whom nothing can separate from God but sin, e Esay 59.2 and nothing sooner than to despair of his mercy, which is over all his works f Psal. 143.9 . And therefore all you that would forsake your sins to be the children of God, must have an assured trust, g Heb. 11.17. jam. 1.6. Ephes. 3.12. Rom. 10.10. kindled in your hearts by the Holy Ghost, h joh. 6.29. Mat. 16.16, 17. 2 Cor. 4.13. through the Word i Rom. 10.17 Rom. 1.16. Acts 10.44. whereby you may be assuredly resolved, k Rom 1.17. Gal. 3.11. Gal. 2.16. that remission of sins, and everlasting life, is not given unto others only, but unto you also: and that you must have a true and lively faith in jesus Christ, to believe that you are his l Rom. 3.21, 22, 24. Gal. 1.15, 16. Ephes. 2.8, 9 Phil. 3.9. . Although your conscience accuse you; and Satan allege against you; that you have not kept Gods Laws; but have grievously sinned m Rom. 3.9, 10, 11, 12. Rom. 7.23. , and provoked God's wrath against you, whereby you have deserved eternal damnation, yet notwithstanding, if by your true repentance, having an inward sorrow wrought by the Holy Ghost o Mat. 16.17. joh. 10.28, 29. , for your sins before committed; you may embrace the benefits of jesus Christ by a lively faith p joh. 3.18. , with a full determination to continue in newness of life, yea, and that with a pure conscience and persuasion of mind q 1 joh. 2.2. , that the full and perfect satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of Christ s 1 joh. 2.1. without any righteousness of yours, t Tit. 3.5. Ezech. 36.22 but of the mere mercy of God u Rom. 3.24. Eph. 2.8. , is given unto you; and that so clearly, as if you had never committed any sin; * 2 Cor. 5.21 then there is no doubt (by the grace of God) but the Lord will pardon all your offences; and If your sins were as red as scarlet, he will make them as white as snow; x Esay 1.18. and so you shall been made heirs of eternal life y joh. 3.36. 1 joh. 5.13. . But there are too too many, which through their carelessness of repentance, although God's Preachers daily persuade them to repent; a Esay 1.18. jer. 18.11. 2 King 17.13. jer. 25.5. jer. 7.3. Ezech. 33.11 jer. 35.15. Hos. 14.3. jer. 4.2. Hos. 6.1. joel 12.2. do stand in doubt of their salvation; because they have grievously sinned, and thereby greatly offended the Majesty of Almighty God, and procured his curse for their sins, as the Scripture saith, There is no peace to the wicked b Esay 48.23, Prou. 38.1. . So that Satan lays before their faces all their sins they have committed, whereby their conscience tells them, that by reason of their sins, which they have so long continued in without repentance, that they stand now in great danger of damnation, and that, Ibi nulla remis fio, ubi nulla posfit esse poenitentia, There can be no pardon, where can be no repentance, according unto Christ's own saying, Except ye repent, ye shall all be damned c Luk 13.3. Esay 59 2, Nahum. 1.2. . And note this for a certainty: so long as they carelessly stand, and continue in their damnable estate of sin, without repentance, so long they may very well doubt of their salvation; for he that continueth in sin, and never doubteth of his salvation, scarce ever believeth to be saved d jer. 20.14, 15. job. 3.3. jer. 15.10. job 10.18, 19 jonah. 2.4 Psal 42.11. Psal. 31.11. . Therefore let no man deceive himself, to continue in sin; for it will cost him many a prayer, e 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 tears for his sins, f jam. 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 certain of his salvation: Yet let no man despair 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 availeth much, if it be fervent g jam. 5.16. , therefore speedily repent, for God is more merciful, than man can be sinful, if man will be sorrowful. If Satan say unto 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 salvation? You may answer him thus, (or in such like manner,) whereas I was truly cleansed, h Reu. 1 5. 1 joh. 1.7. put on Christ, i Gal. 3.27. received inward grace, k Tit. 3.7. made the son of God, l Luk. 20.36. 1 joh. 3.1. Rom. 8.14. joh. 1.12. Gal. 3.26. 2 Cor. 6.18. and heir with Christ, m Gal. 4.7. Rom. 8.17. Tit. 3.7. unto eternal life in my Baptism, although through the subtlety of thee, O Satan, thou hast tempted me to sin, and thereby hast caused me to fall from my former estate of righteousness: yet by the grace of God, so long as I have truly repent, and am hearty sorry for all my ugly and loathsome sins, which thou hast enticed me to commit, and am fully purposed, both now, and for ever hereafter, to forsake thee O Satan, and all thy cursed company; and withal, I am fully determined to continue in newness of life; so long my sure trust and confidence is, That God will never forsake them that put their trust in him: n Rom. 9.33. 1 Pet. 2.6. Acts 4.12. and this faith is the faith of Gods elect, so many believed, as were ordained unto salvation o Acts 13 48. . And therefore he which hath truly repent, and doubteth of his salvation; his unbelief betrays his ignorance in the word of God. For, doth not our Saviour say, He that believeth, and is baptised, shall be saved p Mark 16.16. joh 3.8. joh. 3.18 . Well then, I doubt not, but with a true heart, and clear conscience I may say, I was baptised, I have truly repent, and am hearty sorry for all my sins: and do truly purpose to continue by the grace of God in newness of life, and do also fully believe: Ergo, I shall be saved; and as the best have desired to make their election to salvation sure; so I, the unworthiest of all other, do daily labour unto my God with all humility to do the same. And therefore I say with job, even with a good conscience and joyful heart, that I am sure my Redeemer liveth, and although worms destroy this body of mine, yet in my flesh shall I see God i job 19.25 26 : And with Saint Paul, that When mine earthly house is destroyed, I have a building given of God; (that is) an house not made with hands, but eternal in Heaven k 2 Cor 31. , where is laid up for me a crown, of righteousness l 2 Tim. 5 ; so that I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor Angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, shall be able to separate me from the love of God, m Rom. 8.38, 39 which is in Christ jesus my Saviour, n 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 o Eph. 1.13, 14. joh. 6.27. Reuel. 7.3. joh. 3.33. . And all those who are led by the Spirit of God, are the sons of God p Gal. 4.5, 6, 7. Rom. 8.17. 1 joh. 2.28. ; if sons, than children; if children, than heirs; even heirs annexed with Christ unto eternal life, and consequently sure of salvation. And that so sure, that no man can pluck them out of the hands of Christ q joh. 10.28 2 Tim. 2.26. 1 Pet. 1.5. 1 joh. 5.14, 15 . This assurance made the Virgin Marie call Christ her Saviour, * Luk. 1.47. the thief on the cross to say, Lord remember me r Luk. 23.42 , and Paul to say, that Christ gave himself for me s Gal. 2.20. , and in another place, I know on whom I have believed t 2 Tim. 1.12. . This promise God hath made unto all believers; He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet he shall live u joh. 11.25. ; for I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not departed from me * jer. 32.40. , they shall be my people, and I will be their God x jer. 32.38. , and forgive their iniquities, and remember their sins no more y Heb. 10.17 : And thus the greater your faith is, the greater is your assurance z 1 Pet. 1.7, 8, 9 . Thus God's word assures you, that if ye have truly repent, and continue in newness of life, ye shall live, and not die: but save your soul alive a Ezech. 18.21, 22. to enjoy eternal life. Thus, if ye were never so weary and heavy laden, ye shall be eased b Mat. 11.28 ; If your sins were as red as scarlet, they shall be made as white as snow c Esay 1.18. : All this our gracious God hath promised, which cannot lie; and hath not only sworn thereunto by an oath d Heb. 6.17, 18. Esay 54.9, 10 , but also bound himself by covenants, as it were a pair of Indentures, the one in the Old Testament e jer. 1.33. jer. 32 44. jer. 24.7. , the other in the New f Heb. 10.16, 17. . And therefore ye may assure yourselves by the testimonies of all these Scriptures, that you may be as firmly persuaded of the certainty of your salvation, as your hearts can witness the sincerity of your conversion. Saint Paul proves it, I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me g 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 relative, for, We cannot be in him, but he must be in us h 1 joh 5 24 . Again, Know ye not your own selves (saith he) how jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates i 2 Cor. 13. ● ? Here Saint Paul giveth them the title of reprobates, that know not how jesus Christ is in them. By these words we ought all to understand, that all which believe have the Spirit of discerning, to know certainly that they do believe; because the faith which he here speaketh of, is that lively faith, whereby Christ dwelleth in our hearts; thus if Christ dwell in our hearts, than we are in Christ; if we be in Christ, we cannot be condemned, for there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ jesus k Rom. 8.1. . And by these examples I conclude with this saying of Saint Peter, I would have all that fear God, and hope to be saved, even for God's sake, their own sake, and their soul's sake, to make their election sure, and they shall never fall a 2 Pet. 1.10 ; neither will that soul fear to go unto Christ, b 1 joh. 3.10 that is in Christ, it knoweth it is reconciled unto his Saviour c Pal. 18.1. Acts 5.31. 2 Sam. 12.3. Luk. 2 11 1 Tim. 4.10. Matth. 1.21. , and therefore he need not to fear sudden death, who is ever prepared to die: and also assured of his salvation, to live in Heaven with the royal Priesthood d Exod 19.6 1 Pet. 2.9. Esay. 61.6. Psal. 132.9. , the peculiar people, e Tit. 2.14. joh. 10.28, 29, 30. , the children of light f 2 Sam. 22.29. , the new creatures * Gal. 6.15. , the elect by God's preordination g Eph. 1.4. 1 Pet. 1.2. , where all are Kings and heirs with Christ h Rom. 8.17. Gal 4 7. Tit. 3.7. , invested with glory i Rom. 9.23. , and crowned with Majesty k 2 Tim. 4 8. , to reign with Christ in his eternal Kingdom. Lastly, if Satan lay open all your sins that ever you have committed, and say, they are more and greater than can be pardoned, and so persuade you to despair, then say unto him, Depart Satan, I defy thee, and all thy works ʒ if my sins were as many as the hairs of mine head l Psal. 40.12 , or sands in the sea m Manass. pr. , yet it is God that justifieth, who shall then condemn me n Esay 50.8. Rom. 8.32, 33. ? Oh Satan, I am none of thy cursed ●rew, nor by the grace of God never shall ●ee; thou hast no part nor portion in me, wherefore I bequeath all, and every one of my sins again unto thee, O Satan, from whence they came, and appeal unto my God, in Christ, for his mercy, that he may save me from thy cursed company. Oh, thou hellish Fiend, I say again, Depart, I do utterly defy thee, O take thy ugly sins again, which thou hast caused me to commit; and lay them not unto my charge, for I am a member of my Lord and Saviour jesus Christ d 1 Cor. 6.15, 19 , and partaker of his anointing e 1 joh 2.27. , and so long as I have earnestly repent of all those sins which thou hast enticed me to do, confessed my Saviour's name f Mat. 10.32. Rom. 10 10, 2 Sam. 14.11. , and presented myself a lively sacrifice of thanksgiving unto Almighty God g Rom. 12.1. Reu 4.8, 10. 2 Pet. 5.9. Reuel. 1.6. Rom. 6.12.13. , and also do in this life by the help of my Saviour h Act. 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 clear and good conscience i Ephes' 6.11. Gal. 5.1, 17. 1 Tim. 1.18, 19 , why then should I fear thee k 1 Pet. 5.8. ? I am sure, that when I depart this life, I shall enjoy an everlasting Kingdom with my Creator l Mat. 25.34. 2 Tim. 3.12. . But mark this one thing aright, without favour or affection unto any particular sin; that ye be well assured that ye have repent and are hearty sorry for all your sins; as those alleged Scriptures do teach you m Ezech. 18.21, 22, 23. 2 King 17.13 Acts 2.38. 2 Pet. 3.8. Acts 17.30. Hos. 14.2. jer. 36.3. Luk. 13.3. jer. 18.11. Mat. 4.17. Mat. 3.26. , for otherwise (if you have but the least of your sins left to reign in you) he will soon find matter enough to plead against you. Wherefore you must not only barely repent, and slightly sorrow for your sins, and so carelessly give them over, as though you could repent when you would; but ye must accuse your sins, loath, hate, and detest them, your conscience must witness against them, and your hearts convince them. Oh, beloved, is it a greater terror unto you, to accuse your sins, than it was a delight to commit them? would ye be in love with sin, which is the soul's sickness, and the breach of God's Law, which whosoever committeth is of the Devil: how dare ye act those sins, you dare not ask for pardon? Have you procured God's vengeance, and will ye refuse to ask for his mercy? Oh, no, no; the more penitent a sinner is, the more merciful is God, and the readier to give pardon. So that all ye which have truly repent, and fully purpose to continue in newness of life, may boldly say unto Satan, or unto any of his despairing judasses', that would persuade you to despair: That the God whom I serve is able to deliver me a Dan. 6.16. , so that the gates of hell shall not prevail against me b Mat. 16.18. , for he maketh me to dwell in safety c Psal. 4.9. ; yea, and that both in soul and body, whether I live or die d Rom. 14.8. , I am not mine own e 1 Cor. 6.19 , but belong wholly unto my Saviour jesus Christ f 1 Cor. 3.23 Tit. 2.14. , who by his precious blood hath satisfied for all my sins g 1 Pet. 1.18, 19 Ephes. 1.7. Heb. 9.14. Reuel. 1.5. Heb. 2.14. , delivered me from the power of the Devil h Esay 53.34 , to preserve me i joh. 6.39. joh. 10.28. 1 Pet. 1.5. 2 Thess. 3.3. from all danger, that without the will of my heavenly Father, not so much as one hair of my head shall fall from me k Mat. 10.30 Luk. 21.18. 2 Sam. 14.11 Acts 27.34. . Therefore I will not doubt of my salvation, nor fear what man or Satan can do against me; for I will put my whole trust in the mercy of God, If he slay me, yet will I put my trust in him l job 13.15. . And thus with a true affection and desire of heart m joh. 4.23, 24. Psal. 145.18 through the inward feeling of our miseries n 2 Chron. 20.21. Psal. 2.11. Esay 66.2. , you must cast yourselves down prostrate in the presence of Almighty God o Rom. 10.14 , and build yourselves on this sure foundation p jam. 1.6. , that ye, though fare unworthy, yet for jesus Christ his sake, are certainly heard of God q joh. 14.13. , even as he hath promised in his word r Mat. 7.7, 8. Mat. 11.24. Luk. 11.9. joh. 16.24. . And withal, you must been so fervent with God in your daily prayers, for the forgiveness of your sins, that ye must with jacob, even wrestle with God s Gen. 32.26. , and never let the Lord go, until he bless you: but with sighs, groans and tears t jam. 4.9. Deut. 14.5. , bewail your sins, beg for his mercies, and that so entirely, as it were for life and death; yea weep for your sins like Mary Magdalen u joh. 20.15. , and pour forth floods of tears like Ezechia * 2 King 20.3 : until ye do so, you shall never have peace, nor quietness of conscience, neither any sound comfort of God's holy Spirit in you. Thus all those which have truly repent, and continued in newness of life, are spiritually renati et iustificati, borne again in righteousness, and justified from sin; wherefore I conclude with this belief, that I do fully hope (through the merits of jesus Christ) to be saved, and am resolved that eternal life belongs not unto others only, but unto me also: so that Christ died for my sins, and rose again for my justification; and that God who gave him for me, gave me all things with him, Rom. 8.32. If all things, than he gave me eternal life. This is my faith, and from this faith permanet in facto mens mea firma suo, fears shall not compel me; & lachrymae voluuntur inanes, and tears shall not move me to change my mind: Quia mens immota manet; for I am fully resolved, never to alter it, and I do rest in hope, and am always waiting for the accomplishment thereof. Now whereas I have laid open the certainty of man's salvation; as fare, and as fair as I can, by the authority of God's word, I purpose in this second Chapter, by the help of God, to set forth the doctrine of repentance, and show the necessity thereof: and so conclude according unto this Text of Scripture, Matth. 3.2. Repent ye. GOod Christian Readers, if ye look thorough the whole book of God, from the Alpha of Genesis, unto the Omega of the Revelation; you shall find scarce any Text to be shorter than this; yet howsoever there is none more needful, nor any more profitable; neither doth the Holy Ghost so much labour in all the Scripture, as he doth to draw men unto repentance, Repent ye a Ezech. 18.21. Eccles. 8.21 22. jer. 18.11. Acts 17.30. 2 King 17.13. jer. 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 jerem. 4.14. Esay 1.16. Esay 55.7. Luk. 13 3. 2 Chro. 33.6 . Great need requires great haste, and the wound that is deepest, hath need of the diligentest cure, so that the longer I have continued in sin, the more earnestly I do return unto my God by repentance; for repentance ought to bring forth as much sorrow, as sin gave delight; example in Manasses b Manass. pr. , Mary Magdalen c Luk. 7.18. , and the like. Saint Augustine was a great sinner, and wrote many books of repentance: which showeth to whom much is forgiven, they ought to love much: and the greater their sins are, the more need they have of repentance, Repent ye. And I which am the unworthiest of all men, have wrote, (for the benefit of others, as well as myself) almost all the books that ever I made, concerning repentance: and the longer I have written of it, the more tender my heart is, and the more earnest my desire is to return unto my God by repentance, and amendment of life, in the which I pray God to gyre me his grace to continue unto my life's end. And as a Traitor that is condemned to die, (if he loved his Prince,) he would go near to break his heart with grief, to think that he should be so villainous unto so gracious a Prince that would forgive al● his fact, if he would but ask for pardon, become a new man, and true subject unto him: Even so it is with me, (through grief for my sins,) each time I behold God's mercies towards me, (a miserable and most wretched sinner,) in sparing me so long, and giving me such a large time of repentance. Repent ye. Duo verba, duo luminaria, These two words are like the two great lights in Heaven a Gen. 1.16. , which serve to direct us in all our ways, they are the Supersedeas and discharge of sin b jam. 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. jer. 4.14. through the merits of jesus Christ c 1 Pet 1 18, 19 Heb 9.14. Reuel. 1.5. : And the cause of unity between God and man. They are Imperatoria brevitas, a Lordlike brevity: 'tis short, for fear lest man's 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 pearl, or pure gold, and as needful to direct me that made this book, as you that read it: wherefore if ever we hope to be saved, we must needs forsake our sins, and with all humility return unto God by repentance, according unto my Text, Repent ye. For as God is merciful unto the penitent sinner g Exod. 34.5 6, 7. Psal. 145 9 Exod. 20 6. , he also showeth his justice unto the reprobate h Deut 32.4. Psal. 55.6. Exod. 20.7. Nahum. 1.2, 3. Wisd. 14.9. , whose anger unto them is most dreadful i Psal. 18 7. Reuel. 6 15. Heb. 12.16. , Odio est Deo impius & impietas eius, God hateth the wicked man, and his wickedness too k Pro. 15.8, 9, 29. 1 joh. 3.8. Pro 11.6. Pro. 1.28. , Yea, their very thoughts l Wisd. 1.9. Mar. 12.36. , words and works m Rom. 1.18. Psal. 5.6. Exod 20.5. Ephes. 5 6. God hateth: and therefore without repentance there is no salvation n Luk. 13.3. Esay 59 2. Mal 1.2. . Again, Inanis poenitentia, quam sequens culpa de novo iterat: Vain is that repentance which an after fall defileth: It availeth a man nothing, to ask of God for pardon of his sins, and fall like an hog into the mire of his sinful life afresh again. Wherefore if ye will truly repent, ye must forsake all your sins for ever, and return unto God by repentance, as these Scriptures teach you. O ye children of Israel (saith Esay) turn again from your evil ways, wherein you have drowned yourselves a Esay 31 6. , turn you, turn you from all your evil ways, for why will ye die, O ye house of Israel b Ezech. 33.11 ? Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord c Mal 3.7. . Again, O jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness that thou mayest be saved d jer. 4.14. . And again, Let the wicked forsake their evil ways, and return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, for he is merciful, and very ready to forgive e Esay 55.7. : So that, Nemo ad Deum flens accessit, qui non quod postulavit, accepit; No man came ever weeping unto God, who did not receive that which he required, (especially if he sought it through faith in his repentance:) wherefore Saint Peter wept bitterly, that his tears might wash away his sins f Mat. 26 75. . Oh, let us daily labour with all humility, to wash away the pollution of our sins with tears in our repentance, that we may be saved. Now good Christian Readers, I would have you to consider, that I made not this book only for mine own private use, with an Attend mihi, a suit unto God for myself, (which of all men have most need of repentance,) but also like the poor Italian beggar, with an Attend tihi: Now for God's sake, your own sake, and your soul's sake, be mrecifull, be charitable, and comfortable unto your own souls, and Repent ye. So that you with me, and I with you, may all from the bottom of our hearts, return unto the Lord by true repentance: And as Tertullian saith, Sperando timebimus, timendo cavebimus, cavendo salui erimus: In hoping or desiring to repent, we shall fear our sins, in fearing take heed to amend our lives, and in taking heed, (through our true repentance) by the merits of our Saviour a Psal. 18.1. 2 Sam. 22.3 Acts 5.31. Luk. 2.11. Mat. 1.21. 1 Tim. 4 1●. jesus Christ, be saved. For, God assures no man pardon for his sins b Luk. 13.3. Nahum. 1.2. Esay 59 2. 1 joh. 1.9. 1 joh. 3.8. , but such as return unto him by true repentance, become new creatures c 1 Pet. 1.23 Gal. 6 15. 2 Cor 5.17. Rom 11.5. , and walk in newness of life d Rom. 6.4. 1 Pet. 2 9, 10, 11, 12. Acts 3 16. Ephes. 4 1. Gal 5 10. 1 joh. 2 3, 5, 6. . Wherefore beloved, seeing that mine, and all our souls are infected with the poison of sin, let us not look, or think on our worldly business; nor let our soul's gad abroad with Dinah, but common with our own hearts, and return unto God by speedy repentance; for Periculum est animae, our souls lie at the stake, or point of death, bleeding with the heavy burden of our sins, and can be no way cured or saved, but by repentance, whom none can pardon but God a Luk. 5 21. Dan 9 9 Hest. 13 4. Hos. 14.1, 4. joh. 1.29. Psal. 32.1, 2, 3 joh. 1.15, 16. Psal. 3.8. Psal. 49.7, 8. Mat. 1.21. Psal. 17.7. Luk. 17.30. joh. 6.36. Luk. 1.77. john 4 10. Psal. 79 9 Psal. 51.12, 13. 1 Tim. 1.15. 1 john 3.5, 6. 1 joh. 1.7. Psal. 4.8. . Therefore let us repent while me may have time, and defer it not until hereafter; for, Qui non est hodie, cras minus aptus erit; He that is not ready to repent to day, will be less ready to morrow; because his heart will be more hardened, his conscience more seared, his soul more stung with sin, and himself more weak to get out of the claws of the Devil. O Lord my God, b 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 sins, oh, it is mine unrepented sins, that kindleth the fire of thy wrath against me, and nothing but my tears I shed for them in my daily repentance, through the merits of my Lord and Saviour c Acts 5.31. Psal. 18.1. Luk 2.11. 2 Sam. 22.3. Mat. 11.21. 1 Tim 4. ●. jesus Christ, will be the water to quench them. Repent ye. If ever precept came home unto our hearts, to warn us to forsake our sins, it is this: if ever charge was reasonable, or most needful for our soul's salvation, it is this, Repent ye. God hath given us, membra duplicia, two members, two eyes, two ears, two arms, two legs: that the failing of the one, may be supplied by the other; animam vero unam, he hath given us but one soul; when that is lost there is no supply. I see (gentle Readers) the more I enter into repentance, the more tender mine heart is, and the more my unrepented sins do grieve me, so that the grief of mine heart is so great, for my sins, that I can go no further to instruct you in the doctrine of repentance, before I have eased mine own heart, by bewailing my sins unto Almighty God: and like the poor Lazarus, or wounded beggar, lay oven all my wounds, blains, and putrifying sores of sin, unto my Lord and Saviour jesus Christ. Now I know no way better to grieve and lament for my sins, than with Aannah b 1 Sam. 1.10. , to pour out my soul unto thee, O Lord my God c Psal. 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 devout praying, with all humility unto thee, thot through thy merits dnd bitter passion on the cross) upon my true repentance) thou wilt have mercy on me, O Lord have mercy on me. Wherefore with grief for my sins, from the bottom of mine heart, I will prostrate myself before thee, my sweet and loving Saviour d 2 Sam. 22.3 Acts 5.31. Psal. 18.1. Luk. 2.11. 1 Tim. 4.10. Mat. 1.21. , most humbly desiring thy merciful ears to hear, and pitiful eyes to look back upon me, as thou didst on the woman of Canaan e Mat. 15.28 , the poor Publican f Luk. 18.13. , on Mary Magdalen g joh. 20.15: , or the penitent thief h Luk. 23.40 , which came unto thee in his last hour.