Chapter Vi: The Practice Of Repentance
CHAPTER VI:
THE PRACTICE OF REPENTANCE
In the practice of repentance, four specific duties are required. The first is a diligent and serious examination of one's conscience according to the laws and commandments of God, considering all kinds of sins, both original and actual. The example of the children of Israel comes to mind: "Why should a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins? Let us search out and examine our ways, and turn back to the Lord." David also said, "I considered my ways, and turned my feet to Your testimonies."
Regarding original sin, it is important to remember that each person does not possess only a portion of it while another has a different portion. Rather, every individual, just as they inherit the complete human nature from Adam, also inherits original sin in its entirety.
Therefore, every person (except for Christ, who was exceptionally sanctified by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin) carries within them the corruption and seed of all sin, which is a natural inclination and predisposition to commit any sin whatsoever. Consider all the horrendous sins that are committed in any part of the world, whether against the first or second table of the commandments; the origins and seeds of all those sins reside even in those individuals who are thought to be naturally well-disposed. Some may argue that experience shows the opposite, pointing out that among irreligious people, some are more civil and orderly while others are more inclined towards wickedness. My response is that this occurs not because some individuals are inherently less wicked than others, but because God, in His providence, limits and restrains the corruption within individuals to varying degrees for the well-being of mankind.
If people were left entirely to themselves, corruption would burst