Two Short Catechisms

Chap. XX. — Of Sanctification.

Q. 1. Is there nothing, then, required of us but faith only?

A. Yes; ^arepentance, and ^bholiness or new obedience.
^aActs xx. 21; Matt. iii. 2; Luke xiii. 3. ^b2 Tim. ii. 19; 1 Thess. iv. 7; Heb. xii. 14.

Q. 2. What is repentance?

A. Godly ^asorrow for every known⁸⁰⁸⁰   Repentance includeth, first, alteration of the mind into a hatred of sin, before loved; secondly, sorrow of the affections for sin committed; thirdly, change of the actions arising from both. ⁸¹⁸¹   Repentance is either legal, servile, and terrifying, from the spirit of bondage; or evangelical, filial, and comforting, from the spirit of free grace and liberty, which only is available. sin committed against God, 488^bwith a firm purpose of heart to cleave unto him for the future, ^cin the killing of sin, the quickening of all graces, to walk before him in newness of life.
^a2 Cor. vii. 9–11; Acts ii. 37; Ps. li. 17. ^bPs. xxxiv. 14; Isa. i. 16, 17; Ezek. xviii. 27, 28; Acts xiv. 15. ^cEph. iv. 21–24; Rom. vi. 12, 13, 18, 19, viii. 1; 2 Cor. v. 17; Gal. vi. 15.

Q. 3. Can we do this of ourselves?

A. No; it is a special gift and grace of God, which he bestoweth on whom he pleaseth.
Lev. xx. 8; Deut. xxx. 6; Ezek. xi. 19, 20; 2 Tim. ii. 25; Acts xi. 18.

Q. 4. Wherein doth the being of true repentance consist, without which it is not acceptable?

A. In its⁸²⁸²   Every part of Popish repentance — viz., contrition, confession, and satisfaction — was performed by Judas. performance according to the Gospel rule, with faith and assured hope of divine mercy.
Ps. li.; 1 John ii. 1, 2; 2 Cor. vii. 10, 11; Acts ii. 38; Matt. xxvi. 75.

Q. 5. What is that holiness which is required of us?

A. That ^auniversal,⁸³⁸³   All faith and profession, without this holiness, is vain and of no effect. ⁸⁴⁸⁴   True faith can no more be without true holiness than true fire without heat. sincere obedience to the whole will of God, ^bin our hearts, minds, wills, and actions, ^cwhereby we are in some measure made conformable to Christ, our head.
^aPs. cxix. 9; 1 Sam. xv. 22; John xiv. 15; Rom. vi. 19; Heb. xii. 14; Tit. ii. 12; 2 Pet. i. 5–7; Isa. i. 16, 17. ^b1 Chron. xxviii. 9; Deut. vi. 5; Matt. xxii. 37. ^cRom. viii. 29; 1 Cor. xi. 1; Eph. ii. 21; Col. iii. 1–3; 2 Tim. ii. 11, 12.

Q. 6. Is this holiness or obedience in us perfect?

A. Yes, ^ain respect⁸⁵⁸⁵   Merit of works in unprofitable servants, no way able to do their duty, is a Popish miracle. of all the parts of it, but ^bnot in respect of the degrees wherein God requires it.
^a2 Kings xx. 3; Job i. 1; Matt. v. 48; Luke i. 6; 2 Cor. vii. 1; Eph. iv. 24; Tit. ii. 12. ^bIsa lxiv. 6; Ps. cxxx. 3; Exod. xxviii. 38; Phil. iii. 12.

Q. 7. Will God accept of that obedience which falls so short of what he requireth?

A. Yes, from them⁸⁶⁸⁶   In Christ are our persons accepted freely, and for him our obedience. whose persons he accepteth and justifieth freely in Jesus Christ.
Rom. xii. 1; Phil. iv. 18; Heb. xiii. 16; 1 John iii. 22; Eph. i. 6.

Q. 8. What are the parts of this holiness?

A. ^aInternal, in the quickening of all graces, purging all sins; ^band external, in fervent and frequent prayers, alms, and all manner of righteousness. Particular precepts are innumerable.
^aHeb. ix. 14; Eph. iii. 16, 17; Rom. ii. 29, vi. 12. ^bMatt. v. 20; Rom. viii. 1, 2; Eph iv. 22, 23; Tit. ii. 12.

489Q. 9. May not others perform these duties acceptably, as well as those that believe?

A. No;⁸⁷⁸⁷   The best duties of unbelievers are but white sins. all their performances in this kind are but abominable sins before the Lord.
Prov. xv. 8; John ix. 31; Tit. i. 15; Heb. xi. 6.