sin, unless when the two last, Confession and Satisfaction, from unavoidable obstacles, cannot be complied with-we believe that the sinner cannot obtain forgiveness from God.
CONTRITION OR SORROW OF MIND.
What is required in this contrition or sorrow, is, that it be interior, that is, that it spring from the heart, penetrated by the consciousness of guilt—that it be supernatural, that is, that it arise from grace or the influence of the divine Spirit on the soul, and not from considerations merely humanthat it be supreme, that is, above all other grief—that it be universal, that is, that it include every grievous sin, of which the sinner has been guilty—and that it contain a firm purpose of amendment, without which no sorrow can be real.
SCRIPTURE.
The passages cited p. 291, directly apply to this point, and to them, among many others, may be added the following:
Psal. 1. 19. “A sacrifice to God is an afflicted spirit: a contrite and humbled heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” -Ezech. xviii. 31. “Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby you have transgressed, and make you a new heart, and a new spirit.”--Isai. xlvi. 8. “Return, ye transgressors, to your heart.”—Joel ii. 12, 13. “ Be converted to me, says the Lord, with all your heart, in fasting, and weeping and mourning. Rend your hearts, and not your garments; and turn to the Lord, your God.”—Matt. xxvi. 75. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus: and going forth, he wept bitterly.”—Luke vii. 38. “And the woman that was a sinner-standing behind at his feet, began to
