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occasionally do not, the distinction between faith and repentance is maintained.

Repentance when it precedes faith does not refer to moral renewal, but to a wholly

negative view of oneself variously described as displeasure, dissatisfaction, shame and

fear.

This process of moral renewal is understood in Calvin as increasing obedience

to and conformity to the law of God.

This is the point of the so-called third use of the

law that is distinctive of Calvin's theology. Of course, Calvin sees an inseparable

connection between this process of moral renewal defined in terms of conformity to

God's law and justification by faith alone. Calvin, however, by making faith in Christ the

gift of the Holy Spirit unto union with Christ posits a plain distinction between faith on

the one hand, and repentance, regeneration, and sanctification on the other. Faith leads to

union with Christ. Repentance etc. flows out of union with Christ. The connection is

clear, but the distinction could not be plainer. In this sense too, then, evangelical

obedience is not included in faith itself. Or to put the matter more precisely, it is not in

its character as obedience (or as producing moral renewal) that faith justifies. Calvin

maintains a strict distinction between faith and repentance conceived as moral renewal.

Law and Grace in Calvin

A third telling consideration that points to the fact that faith does not justify as

obedience in Calvin is the contrast between law and grace to be found in his writings.

Faith as response to gracious promise. As noted previously, Calvin asserts

that faith is knowledge of God's benevolence toward us, founded upon the truth of the

freely given promise in Christ. "Now we shall possess a right definition of faith if we call

it a firm and certain knowledge of God's benevolence toward us, founded upon the truth

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Shepherd, The Nature and Function of Faith, 156-64 asserts faith's need of law and that the

law reflects God's intention for the shape of the existence of faith. Cf. Inst. 3:19:2-3; Comm. 2 Pet. 2:19.