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 Luke, iii. 3. “ John came preaching the baptism of penance for the remission of sins.”—7, 8.—“He said to the multitudes,Bring forth therefore fruit worthy of penance." Ibid. x. 13. If in Tyre and Sidon had been wrought the mighty works that have been wrought in you, they would have done penance long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.”-xiii. 3. -“Except you be penitent, you shall all likewise perish.”— Acts iii. 19. “Repent ye, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out."--Ibid. xxvi. 20. “I shewed -to the Jews and to the Gentiles, that they should do penance, and turn to God, doing works worthy of penance.”— 2 Cor. vii. 10. “For the sorrow that is according to God worketh penance steadfast into salvation."

On this head the Fathers are unanimous.

“ Penance (repentance) was, at all times, necessary for all men, who had defiled themselves with any grievous sin, in order to their obtaining grace and justification-so that, their perverse ways being laid aside and amended, they might, with sorrow of mind, and hatred of sin, detest their offences against God."-Sess. xiv.c. 1. p. 107.

Catholics believe, that when a sinner repents of his sins, from his heart, and acknowledges his transgressions to God and his