in the Greek church, it is deprecatory--and in the Protestant churches it is declarative.

ARTICLE XII.

OF REPENTANCE.

We teach, that those who have sinned after baptism, may again obtain forgiveness of sin, at any time, if they repent, and that absolution shall not be denied them by the church. And true repentance is to have real sorrow and terror on account of sin, and at the same time, a trust or faith in the gospel, that the sins be forgiven and grace is obtained thro' Christ, which faith again comforts and quiets the heart; but afterwards true amendment of life must follow, so that we forsake sin ;-for this must be the fruit of repentance, as John saith, Matt. iii. Bring forth fruits meet for repen

tance.

Hence, we do not agree with those, who teach, that they who were once pious, cannot fall again.

NOTES.

1. We say, that repentance hath two parts: contrition and faith. However, if any person is desirous of adding a third part, viz. the fruits of repentance, which are good works, we will not dispute with him. Apol. of Confes.

2. It is certainly a false repentance, if we do not strive to render satisfaction, to the utmost of our power, to those whom we have wronged; for, if he who hath stolen or cheated, and hath other mens goods in his possession, doth not return them, his sorrow and contrition, is certainly not of a proper nature. He remains a thief or defrauder in the eyes of God and man, as long as he is not willing to make satisfaction. Therefore, restitution is to be considered a fruit of repentance. Apol. of Conf.

3. Repentance, saith Luther, consists in a know ledge of one's errors and misery, and an amendment, of life. It may be defined "An entire and zealous change of the mind and of the heart"-it teaches us to know our sins, and to become new beings-it purifies and cleanses us daily from sins. And this repentance continues until death. There are some indeed who say, (and I have discoursed with such) that all those, who have once repented and obtained faith, cannot fall. If they even sinned afterwards, yet they would still remain in a state of grace, and their sing

would not injure them. Do what you please, say they, if you believe, your sins are all done awayfaith destroys sin-once a saint, always a saint.And, they add, if a person sin, after having repented and obtained faith and the spirit, it is a proof that he never really repented, that he never had faith nor the spirit. This is certainly a false and dangerous doctrine, a doctrine which the bible does not teach

4. To be convinced of sin, is, to have sorrow and contrition, and to tremble on account of God's wrath and judgment; after which true amendment of life must follow, so that we forsake and give up every sin, and strive to live agreeably to the will of God. Luther.

5. We must also take care not to delay our repentance or conversion, by thinking that we have time enough, and that death is not so near. We hold that a death-bed repentance is a very dangerous thing. He, who wishes to repent, should strive to do it immediately; otherwise there is danger that all he may do, will be vain and useless. See Tishler's extracts from Luther's works.

ARTICLE XIII.

OF THE USE OF THE SACRAMENTS.

The Sacraments were instituted, not only as signs, whereby christians may outwardly be known; but also as signs and testimonies of the divine will towards us, thereby to awaken and to strengthen our faith; therefore they require faith, and are only used rightly, when they are received in faith, and when our faith is strengthened thereby.

There are but two Sacraments, ordained by Christ, viz. Baptism, and the Lord's Sup per. Lutheran Catechism.

NOTES.

1. The Sacraments are to be considered as holy, mysterious ceremonies, commanded by Christ, in which God's grace and blessings are offered, and com municated unto us. Michaelis Comp. Theol.

2. They are outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace given unto us, ordained by Christ

himself, as means, whereby we receive the same, and. as pledges to assure us thereof.

and

3. The Sacraments are designed to preserve perpetuate the religion of Christ to all future genera-tions, and are necessary to salvation, for those that can have them.

Not that our blessed Lord will condemn all heathens or others, who have never heard of his name, for not partaking of the Sacraments, which never came to their knowledge, or that he will condemn inno-cent children, who die unbaptised; but that all, whom the knowledge of these institutions is come, and who have it in their power to partake of them, are indispensably obliged to do so.

to

ARTICLE XIV.

OF CHURCH. GOVERNMENT.

We hold, that no person should teach publicly, or preach in the church, or administer the sacraments, without a regular call.