Two Books of the Elements of Rhetoric

physike arete natural virtue, a good inclination in nature.

What things are contrary? The simulation of virtue, and baseness openly fighting with virtue, like the wicked acts of Nero and the like.

Thus Dialectic shows the boundaries and sums, which supply a store of the greatest matters if you wish to explain individual topics completely.

What is Repentance? Let us speak first about the word; in the Church we usually call it repentance, that which could be called the conversion of the will to true piety.

parts its
It is therefore a definition: Repentance is contrition and faith, by which we believe that our sins are forgiven us on account of Christ, which faith is followed by new obedience toward God.

Repentance is threefold:
1. contrition
2. faith
3. new obedience

What are the parts? True conversion has two parts, as it were double movements of the mind: contrition, that is, the acknowledgment of sin, or terrors and pains on account of sin.

The other part is Faith, which erects and consoles terrified minds when it receives the remission of sins granted on account of Christ.

Rightly is a third part also added, which nevertheless is an effect of the former, namely new obedience.

What are the causes? There are diverse causes for diverse movements. The causes of contrition, that is, of terrors,