Chapter III.—Special Preparation for Baptism. § 1.  Penitence.  The candidate for Baptism, having been duly admitted and registered, was required not only to be diligent in attending the course of Catechetical instruction119, but also to enter at once upon a course of strict devotion and penitential discipline.  “Those who are coming to Baptism,” says Tertullian, “must be constantly engaged in prayers, fastings, kneelings, and watchings, together with confession of all past faults120.” On these subjects Cyril’s teaching is earnest, wise, and sympathetic:  he seeks to lead to repentance by gentle persuasion, and pleads for self-discipline as needful for the good of the soul121.  One whole Lecture is devoted to the necessity of thorough repentance for all past sins, and forgiveness of all offences122:  another to the sure efficacy of repentance for the remission of sins123. § 2.  Confession.  ᾽Εξομολόγησις.  Great stress is laid by Cyril on the necessity not only of sincere inward repentance, but also of open confession.  The words ἐξομολογεῖσθαι, ἐξομολόγησις have a twofold meaning and a wide application. (1.)  In the Septuagint they occur very frequently, especially in the Psalms, in the sense of “giving thanks or praise” (Heb. )124, a meaning which is also found in the New Testa- ment125.  Perhaps the earliest instance in an Ecclesiastical writer is in Hermas, Mandat. X. iii. 2:  ἐξομολογούμενος τῷ θεῷ.  I have not found any instance of this meaning in Cyril. S. Chrysostom, commenting on the words, “I will give thanks unto Thee, O Lord126,” says, “There are two kinds of exomologesis; for it is either a condemnation of our own sins or a giving of thanks to God.”  The link between these two ideas is seen in Joshua’s exhorta- tion to Achan, My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the Lord, the God of Israel, and make confes- sion127 unto Him.  R.V. Margin.  Or, give praise. 119 Procat. § 9:  “Let thy feet haste to the Catechisings,” § 10:  “Abide thou in the Catechisings:  though our discourse be long, let not thy mind be wearied out.”  Cf. Cat. i. 5. 120 De Baptismo, c. 20.  Cf. Justin M. Apol. I. c. 61; Const. Apost. vii. 22. 121 Compare his teaching on Prayer, Procat. § 16; Cat. ix. 7:  and on Fasting Cat. iv. 27, 37; xviii. 17. 122 Cat. i. 123 Cat. ii. 124 Ps. xlii. 5; xliii. 4, 5 (ἐξομολογήσομαι); and Ps. c. 4 (ἐ? ἐξομολογήσει). 125 Matt. xi. 25; Phil. ii. 11. 126 Ps. ix. 1:  ᾽Εξομολογήσομαί σοι, Κύριε. 127 Joshua vii. 19, Sept. ἐξομολόγησιν. Special Preparation for Baptism. 30 Special Preparation for Baptism.