Article XII Repentance

[1] Our churches teach that there is forgiveness of sins for those who have fallen after Baptism whenever they are converted. [2] The Church ought to impart Absolution to those who return to repentance [Jeremiah 3:12]. [3] Now, strictly speaking, repentance consists of two parts. [4] One part is contrition, that is, terrors striking the conscience through the knowledge of sin. [5] The other part is faith, which is born of the Gospel [Romans 10:17] or the Absolution and believes that for Christ’s sake, sins are forgiven. It comforts the conscience and delivers it from terror. [6] Then good works are bound to follow, which are the fruit of repentance [Galatians 5:22–23].

[7] Our churches condemn the Anabaptists, who deny that those who have once been justified can lose the Holy Spirit. [8] They also condemn those who argue that some may reach such a state of perfection in this life that they cannot sin.

[9] The Novatians also are condemned, who would not absolve those who had fallen after Baptism, though they returned to repentance.

[10] Our churches also reject those who do not teach that forgiveness of sins comes through faith, but command us to merit grace through satisfactions of our own.

They also reject those who teach that it is necessary to perform works of satisfaction, commanded by Church law, in order to remit eternal punishment or the punishment of purgatory.