Chapter IX.—Concerning the Outward Manifestations by Which This Second Repentance is to Be Accompanied.

The narrower, then, the sphere of action of this second and only (remaining) repentance, the more laborious is its probation; in order that it may not be exhibited in the conscience alone, but may likewise be carried out in some (external) act. This act, which is more usually expressed and commonly spoken of under a Greek name, is ἐξομολόγησις ,86    Utter confession. whereby we confess our sins to the Lord, not indeed as if He were ignorant of them, but inasmuch as by confession satisfaction is settled,87    For the meaning of “satisfaction,” see Hooker Eccl. Pol. vi. 5, where several references to the present treatise occur. [Elucidation II.] of confession repentance is born; by repentance God is appeased. And thus exomologesis is a discipline for man’s prostration and humiliation, enjoining a demeanor calculated to move mercy. With regard also to the very dress and food, it commands (the penitent) to lie in sackcloth and ashes, to cover his body in mourning,88    Sordibus. to lay his spirit low in sorrows, to exchange for severe treatment the sins which he has committed; moreover, to know no food and drink but such as is plain,—not for the stomach’s sake, to wit, but the soul’s; for the most part, however, to feed prayers on fastings, to groan, to weep and make outcries89    Cf. Ps. xxii. 1 (in LXX. xxii. 3), xxxviii. 8 (in the LXX. xxxvii. 9). Cf. Heb. v. 7. unto the Lord your90    Tertullian changes here to the second person, unless Oehler’s “tuum” be a misprint for “suum.” God; to bow before the feet of the presbyters, and kneel to God’s dear ones; to enjoin on all the brethren to be ambassadors to bear his91    “Suæ,” which looks as if the “tuum” above should be “suum.” [St. James v. 16.] deprecatory supplication (before God).  All this exomologesis (does), that it may enhance repentance; may honour God by its fear of the (incurred) danger; may, by itself pronouncing against the sinner, stand in the stead of God’s indignation, and by temporal mortification (I will not say frustrate, but) expunge eternal punishments. Therefore, while it abases the man, it raises him; while it covers him with squalor, it renders him more clean; while it accuses, it excuses; while it condemns, it absolves. The less quarter you give yourself, the more (believe me) will God give you.

CAPUT IX.

1243B Hujus igitur poenitentiae secundae et unius, quanto in arcto negotium est, tanto operosior probatio , ut non sola conscientia proferatur, sed aliquo etiam actu administretur. Is actus, qui magis graeco vocabulo exprimitur et frequentatur, Exomologesis est , qua delictum Domino nostrum confitemur: non quidem ut ignaro, sed quatenus satisfactio confessione disponitur, confessione poenitentia nascitur, poenitentia Deus mitigatur. Itaque Exomologesis prosternendi et humilificandi hominis disciplina est, conversationem 1244A injungens misericordiae illicem; de ipso quoque habitu atque victu mandat, sacco et cineri incubare corpus sordibus obscurare, animum moeroribus dejicere, illa quae peccavit tristi tractatione mutare; caeterum pastum et potum pura nosse , non ventris scilicet, sed animae caussa: plerumque vero jejuniis preces alere, ingemiscere, lacrymari, et mugire dies noctesque ad Dominum Deum tuum , presbyteris advolvi , et caris Dei adgeniculari, omnibus fratribus legationes deprecationis suae injungere. Haec omnia Exomologesis, ut poenitentiam commendet, ut de periculi timore Dominum honoret, ut in peccatorem ipsa pronuntians pro Dei indignatione fungatur, et temporali afflictatione aeterna supplicia non dicam frustretur, sed expungat. Cum 1244B igitur provolvit hominem , magis relevat: cum squalidum facit, magis mundatum reddit: cum accusat, cum condemnat, absolvit. In quantum non peperceris tibi, in tantum tibi Deus, crede, parcet.