Confessional Corner: What Is Forgiveness? (Ap XIIa 1-27)

In Article XII, the adversaries approve of the first part, in which we present this: those who have fallen after Baptism may obtain the forgiveness of sins whenever and as often as they are converted. They condemn the second part, in which we say that the parts of repentance are contrition and faith. They deny that faith is the second part of repentance. O Charles, most invincible Emperor, what should we do? This is the very voice of the Gospel: through faith we obtain the forgiveness of sins. These writers of the Confutation condemn this voice of the Gospel. Therefore, we can in no way agree to the Confutation. We cannot condemn the voice of the Gospel; it is beneficial and full of comfort. (Ap XIIa 1-2)