Section III: Satisfaction.
SECTION III: SATISFACTION
§ 118. That concludes our discussion about confession. What remains is to consider the third part of penance, namely, satisfaction. There are two satisfactions for sins: one before God, the other before men. Each must be dealt with distinctly. Since God is not only merciful but also is perfectly just, therefore a satisfaction is wholly necessary before the judgment of God in order to obtain the forgiveness of sins, through which satisfaction He satisfies His own righteousness. But only Christ offers this satisfaction for the sins of the entire human race, as will be taught in its own place against the Photinians [On Justification through Faith (Commonplace XIX), §§ 35–54].