Article XIIOf Repentance

1 p. 40 Of Repentance, they teach, that for those that have fallen after Baptism, there is remission of sins whenever they are converted; 2 and that the Church ought to impart absolution to those thus returning to repentance.

Now repentance consists properly of these two parts: 3 One is contrition, that is, terrors smiting the conscience through the 4 knowledge of sin; 5 the other is faith, which, born of the Gospel, or of absolution, believes that, for Christ’s sake, sins are forgiven, comforts the conscience, and delivers it from terrors. 6 Then good works are bound to follow, which are the fruits of repentance.

7 They condemn the Anabaptists, who deny that those once justified can lose the Holy Ghost. 8 Also those who contend that some may attain to such perfection in this life that they cannot sin. 9 The Novatians also are condemned, who would not absolve such as had fallen after Baptism, though they returned to repentance. 10 They also are rejected who do not teach that remission of sins cometh through faith, but command us to merit grace through satisfactions of our own.