Chapter XV: Of Repentance unto Life. De resipiscentia ad vitam.
Of Repentance unto Life. De resipiscentia ad vitam.
I. Repentance unto life is an evangelical grace, [1437] the doctrine whereof is to be preached by every minister of the gospel, as well as that of faith in Christ. [1438] I. Resipiscentia ad vitam est gratia Evangelica, [1439] cuius quidem doctrina pariter ac illa de fide in Christum est a singulis ministris Evangelii prædicanda. II. By it a sinner, out of the sight and sense, not only of the danger, but also of the filthiness and odiousness of his sins, as contrary to the holy nature and righteous law of God, and upon the apprehension of his mercy in Christ to such as are penitent, so grieves for and hates his sins as to turn from them all unto God, [1440] purposing and endeavoring II. Per eam peccator ex inspectu sensuque non solum periculi verum etiam turpitudinis, ac naturæ peccatorum suorum prorsus abominandæ. [1441] utpote sanctæ Dei naturæ, justæque legi adversantium, atque e perspecta ejus erga poenitentes in Christo misericordia, ita peccata sua deflet ac detestatur, ut ab eis omnibus ad Deum convertatur [1442] cum proposito conatuque in cunctis mandatorum
to walk with him in all the ways of his commandments. [1443] ejus viis cum eodem ambulandi. [1444] III. Although repentance be not to be rested in as any satisfaction for sin, or any cause of the pardon thereof, [1445] which is the act of God's free grace in Christ; [1446] yet is it of such necessity to all sinners that none may expect pardon without it. [1447] III. Etsi resipiscentiæ nobis fidendum non sit, ac si ea esset ulla aut pro peccatis satisfactio, aut causa remissionis peccatorum [1448] (qui gratiæ Dei in Christo gratuitæ actus est), [1449] est nihilominus cunctis peccatoribus usque adeo necessaria, ut sine ea nulla cuivis unquam remissio sit expectanda. [1450] IV. As there is no sin so small but it deserves damnation, [1451] so there is no sin so great that it can bring damnation upon those who truly repent. [1452] IV. Quemadmodum nullum est peccatum adeo exiguum ut damnationem non mereatur, [1453] ita neque magnum adeo peccatum ullum est, ut damnationem inferre possit vere poenitentibus. [1454]
V. Men ought not to content themselves with a general repentance, but it is every man's duty to endeavor to repent of his particular sins particularly. [1455] V. In resipiscentia generali acquiescendum non est, verum ad id contendere tenetur quisque, ut singulorum suorum peccatorum quam particularem agat poenitentiam. [1456] VI. As every man is bound to make private confession of his sins to God, praying for the pardon thereof, [1457] upon which, and the forsaking of them, he shall find mercy; [1458] so he that scandalizeth his brother, or the Church of Christ, ought to be willing, by a private or public confession and sorrow for his sin, to declare his repentance VI. Quemadmodum autem tenetur quivis peccata sua Deo privatim confiteri, et pro remissione illorum precibus contendere: [1459] (quod si præstiterit et peccata simul dereliquerit, misericordiam consequetur) [1460] ita qui fratri suo, aut Ecclesiæ Christi, scandalo fuerit, promptus et paratus esse debet qua confessione sive privata, sive etiam publica, qua de peccatis
to those that are offended, [1461] who are thereupon to be reconciled to him, and in love to receive him. [1462] suis dolore, resipiscentiam suam eis quibus offendiculo fuerit declarare, [1463] quo præstito illi redire cum eo in gratiam debent, eumque denuo cum charitate recipere.
[1464]