Institutes 3.3.17 — REGENERATION BY FAITH. OF REPENTANCE.

**REGENERATION BY FAITH. OF REPENTANCE.**

But as there are some who, from the frequent mention of sackcloth, fasting, and tears, especially in Joel (2:12), think that these constitute the principal part of repentance, we must dispel their delusion. In that passage the proper part of repentance is described by the words, “turn ye even to me with your whole heart;” “rend your heart, and not your garments.” The “fastings”, “weeping,” and “mourning,” are introduced not as invariable or necessary effects, but as special circumstances. French, “Circonstances qui convenoyent specialement alore;”—circumstances which were then specially suitable. French, “Fust la coustume de ce temps-la, et ne nous appartienne aujourduhui de rien;”—was the custom of that time, and we have nowadays nothing to do with it. The French adds, “Soit de guerre, de famine, ou de pestilence;”—whether of war, famine, or pestilence. Latin, “Calamitosis temporibus peculiariter destinari.”—French, “Convient particulierement a ceux qui veulent testifier quils se recognoissant avoir merité l’ire de Dieu, et neantmoins requierent pardon de sa clemence;”—is particularly suitable to those who acknowledge they have deserved the wrath of God, and yet seek pardon of his mercy.

Source

• source-manifest/institutes — Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, tr. Beveridge 1845 (PD)
• evidence_grade: D_doctrinal_textbook