Chapter XXVI: The Use of this Commonplace and the Definition of Actual Sins, § 110.
CHAPTER XXVI: ON THE USE OF THIS COMMONPLACE
AND THE DEFINITION OF ACTUAL SINS
The use of this commonplace.
§ 110. The use of this commonplace on actual sins consists especially of three parts: (1) That, acknowledging the gravity and variety of our sins, we might humble ourselves truly and seriously before God and reject all confidence in our own righteousness.
(2) That we may seek the healing of our illness in Christ, “whose blood cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).
(3) That we may carefully avoid sins against conscience, which are like poison and even the death of the soul, and not permit ourselves to be controlled by inherent sin, but that we may mortify the desires of that sin with the Spirit and aspire to utterly pure perfection and to utterly perfect purity. O Christ, cover what has been done, and govern what will be done!
The definition of actual sin.
§ 111. From all the above, the following definition of actual sins can be set down. Actual sins are all the acts or words or thoughts against the norm of the divine Law by which evil is committed or good omitted, which deserve the wrath of God and temporal and eternal punishments, and which make people liable to these things unless remission has taken place for the sake of Christ the Mediator, to whom along with the Father and the Holy Spirit be glory forever. Amen.