and do the work of repentance. To confess sins is to know evils, to see them in one's self, to acknowledge them, to make himself guilty, and condemn himself on account of them. When this is done before God, it constitutes the confession of sin.
"To do the work of repentance is to desist from sins when he has thus confessed them, and from a humble heart has made supplication about remission; and further, to lead a new life according to the precepts of faith.
"He who only acknowledges in a general way that he is a sinner, and makes himself guilty of all evils, and does not explore himself, that is, see his sins, makes confession but not the confession of repentance; for he lives afterwards as before.
"He who lives the life of faith, does the work of repentance daily; for he reflects upon the evils appertaining to himself, acknowledges them, shuns them, and supplicates the Lord for aid. . . . Repentance of the mouth and not of the life is not repentance. Sins are remitted only by repentance of the life." (A. C. 8387-'94. See also A. R. 531.)
"A man forever remains of such a character as is his life [or ruling love], and by no means such as he is [or appears to be] at the hour of death; for repentance at that time is of no avail with the evil, but it confirms the state with the good." (Ap. Ex. 194.)
XVII.—Regeneration.
What the New Church believes and teaches in regard to man's hereditary nature, was stated in
