Chapter 3: Of the Parts of Repentance

Repentance has two parts: mortification, and rising to newness of life.

Mortification is the first part of repentance, which concerns turning from sin.

Men turn from sin when they do not only abstain from actual sin, but also use all means by which they may both weaken and suppress the corruption of nature. Surgeons, when they must cut off any part of the body, use to lay plasters to it to mortify it, that being without sense and feeling it may be cut off with less pain. In the same manner, we are to use all helps and remedies prescribed in the word, which serve to weaken or kill sin, that in death it may be abolished.

And it must not seem strange that I say we must use means to mortify our own sins. For, however by nature we cannot do anything acceptable to God, yet being quickened and moved by the Holy Spirit, we stir and move ourselves to do that which is truly good. And therefore repentant sinners have grace in them by which they mortify their own sins. Paul says: I beat down my body and bring it into subjection. And: those which are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and the lusts thereof. And: mortify therefore your earthly members — fornication, uncleanness, the inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness. And: if any man purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel to honor. And Saint John says: everyone which has this hope in him purges himself, even as he is pure. And: he which is begotten of God preserves himself, and the wicked one touches him not (1 Corinthians 9:27; Galatians 5:24; Colossians 3:5; 2 Timothy 2:21; 1 John 3:3; 1 John 5:18).

Mortification has three parts: a purpose in mind, an inclination in will, and an endeavor in life and conversation to leave all sin.

Rising to newness of life is the second part of repentance, concerning sincere obedience to God.

And it has also three parts. The two first are a resolution in the mind and an inclination or desire in the will to obey God in all things. Barnabas exhorts them of Antioch, that with purpose of heart they would cleave to the Lord. Examples of both these are many in scriptures. Of Joshua: if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served, or the gods of the Amorites, etc.; but I and my household will serve the Lord. Of David: O Lord, you are my portion; I have determined to keep your commandments. And: I have sworn, and will perform it, that I will keep your righteous judgments. And: when you said, Seek my face, my heart answered to you, O Lord I will seek your face. And: I have applied my heart to fulfill your statutes always, even to the end (Acts 11:23; Joshua 24:15; Psalm 119:57; Psalm 119:106; Psalm 27:8; Psalm 119:112).

The third part is an endeavor in life and conversation to obey God. Example of Paul.

And in this I take pains to have always a clear conscience toward God and toward men. Of David: I have respect to all your commandments. And: I have chosen the way of truth, and your judgments have I laid before me. And: I have cleaved to your testimonies. And: direct me in the path of your commandments, for in it is my delight (Acts 24:16; Psalm 119:6; Psalm 119:30; Psalm 119:31; Psalm 119:35).

No man must here think that a repentant sinner fulfills the law in his obedience, for their best works are faulty before God. And whereas the faithful in scriptures are said to be perfect, we must know that there are two degrees of perfection: perfection in substance, and perfection in the highest degree. Perfection in substance is when a man does sincerely endeavor to perform perfect obedience to God not in some but in all his commandments. And this is the only perfection that any man can have in this life. A Christian man's perfection is to bewail his imperfection; his obedience more consists in the goodwill than in the work, and is more to be measured by the affection than by the effect.

Repentance has two parts: mortification, and rising to newness of life.

Mortification is the first part of repentance, and it concerns turning from sin.

People turn from sin not only by refraining from actual sin, but also by using every means available to weaken and suppress the corruption of their nature. Surgeons, when they must cut off a part of the body, first apply poultices to deaden it, so that it can be removed with less pain. In the same way, we must use all the remedies prescribed in God's word that serve to weaken or kill sin, so that it may be fully abolished at death.

It should not seem strange that I say we must use means to mortify our own sins. Although by nature we cannot do anything acceptable to God, once we are quickened and moved by the Holy Spirit, we stir and move ourselves to do what is truly good. Therefore repentant sinners have grace within them by which they mortify their own sins. Paul says: 'I beat down my body and bring it into subjection.' And: 'Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.' And: 'Therefore put to death your earthly members — sexual immorality, impurity, sinful passion, evil desire, and covetousness.' And: 'If anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor.' John says: 'Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.' And: 'He who is born of God keeps himself, and the evil one does not touch him' (1 Corinthians 9:27; Galatians 5:24; Colossians 3:5; 2 Timothy 2:21; 1 John 3:3; 1 John 5:18).

Mortification has three parts: a purpose in the mind, an inclination in the will, and an effort in daily life and conduct to leave all sin.

Rising to newness of life is the second part of repentance, and it concerns sincere obedience to God.

It also has three parts. The first two are a resolution in the mind and an inclination or desire in the will to obey God in all things. Barnabas urged the believers at Antioch to cleave to the Lord with purpose of heart. Scripture gives many examples of both these. Joshua said: 'If it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve — whether the gods your fathers served, or the gods of the Amorites — but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.' David said: 'O Lord, You are my portion; I have determined to keep Your commandments.' And: 'I have sworn, and I will keep it, that I will keep Your righteous judgments.' And: 'When You said, Seek My face, my heart answered, O Lord, I will seek Your face.' And: 'I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes forever, to the very end' (Acts 11:23; Joshua 24:15; Psalm 119:57; Psalm 119:106; Psalm 27:8; Psalm 119:112).

The third part is an effort in daily life and conduct to obey God. Paul is the example here.

He said: 'I do my best to maintain a clear conscience before both God and men.' And David said: 'I respect all Your commandments.' And: 'I have chosen the way of truth, and I have set Your judgments before me.' And: 'I have held fast to Your testimonies.' And: 'Direct me in the path of Your commandments, for in it I delight' (Acts 24:16; Psalm 119:6; Psalm 119:30; Psalm 119:31; Psalm 119:35).

No one should think that a repentant sinner perfectly fulfills the law in his obedience — their best works are still flawed before God. When believers in Scripture are said to be perfect, we must understand that there are two degrees of perfection: perfection in substance, and perfection in the highest degree. Perfection in substance is when a person sincerely endeavors to render perfect obedience to God — not in some commandments but in all of them. This is the only perfection available to anyone in this life. A Christian's perfection is to mourn his imperfection. His obedience consists more in the willingness than in the work, and is measured more by the affection than by the achievement.