¶ Of sinne against the holy Ghoste.
The Unpardonable Sin Defined
Explains that not every post-baptismal sin is sin against the Holy Spirit, and affirms the possibility of repentance and amendment of life.
Any deadly sin committed willingly after baptism isn't a sin against the Holy Spirit, and it's not unpardonable. Therefore the place for penitents must not be denied to those who fall into sin after baptism.1 After we've received the Holy Spirit, we may fall away from the grace given us and fall into sin; and by the grace of God we may rise again and amend our lives.2 And therefore those who say they can no longer sin as long as they live here, or who deny the place for penitents to those who truly repent and amend their lives, are to be condemned.
Read the original English
EUerye deadly sinne, willingly committed after Baptisme, is not Sinne against the holye ghost, and vnpardonable. Wherefore the place for penitents, is not to bee denied, to suche as fall into sinne, after Baptysme. After wee haue receiued the holy ghoste, we may depart from grace geuē, and fall into synne: and by the grace of God we may rise agayne, and amende oure lyues. And therfore they are to be condemned, whych say: they can nomore Synne, as longe as they lyue heare: or denie the place for penitents, to such as truelye repente, and amend their liues.
Notes
John Ponet's Short Catechisme (1553) companion
Rule yourself daily, not just on retreat
Chosen Portion turns the mirror into a daily practice — a short reading and examining question each morning before you lead anyone.
Chosen Portion makes the mirror daily: the ruler-formation questions this collection preserves become a two-minute morning examination in the app.
- A daily formation reading drawn from centuries of counsel to those in authority
- One pointed examination question a day — two minutes, before the meetings start
- Track your practice over weeks and watch the examined life become a habit