Chapter Iv: The Degrees Of Repentance
your commandments. I have chosen the path of truth, and I hold your judgments before me. I have clung to your testimonies, and I delight in following the path of your commandments.
However, no one should assume that a repentant sinner fulfills the law through their obedience, as even their best works are flawed before God. When the faithful in the Scriptures are described as "perfect," we must understand that there are two levels of perfection: perfection in substance and perfection in the highest degree.
Perfection in substance occurs when a person sincerely strives to offer perfect obedience to God, not just in some, but in all His commandments. This is the only form of perfection attainable in this earthly life. A Christian's perfection lies in lamenting their imperfections. Their obedience is based more on the willingness of the heart than on the outward actions, and it is to be measured more by the sincerity of their affections than by the results achieved.
CHAPTER IV:
THE DEGREES OF REPENTANCE
Repentance has two degrees: ordinary and extraordinary.
Ordinary repentance is something that every Christian is required to practice daily. Since individuals fall into sin to varying degrees every day, the graces of God within them are gradually weakened.
Therefore, there must be a continual restoration through the daily renewal of repentance. A Christian is the temple and dwelling place of God's Spirit, and thus it is necessary to cleanse it daily so that it may be suitable to receive such a worthy guest.