second_o of_o these_o assertion_n be_v make_v good_a than_o it_o can_v be_v no_o defect_n at_o all_o in_o those_o church_n that_o use_v not_o such_o a_o rite_n but_o a_o novelty_n and_o imposition_n on_o their_o part_n who_o so_o strict_o require_v it_o but_o if_o the_o three_o be_v true_a it_o will_v be_v the_o corruption_n and_o great_a fault_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n to_o persevere_v in_o the_o injunction_n and_o practice_n of_o it_o and_o the_o excellency_n and_o commendation_n of_o those_o church_n which_o exclude_v it_o i_o begin_v with_o the_o first_o that_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v that_o our_o saviour_n have_v institute_v such_o a_o auricular_a confession_n of_o such_o a_o sacrament_n of_o penance_n as_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n pretend_v and_o practice_n i_o confess_v it_o be_v a_o negative_a which_o i_o here_o undertake_v to_o make_v good_a which_o be_v account_v a_o difficult_a province_n but_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n have_v relieve_v we_o in_o that_o particular_a by_o sound_v the_o institution_n express_o upon_o that_o one_o passage_n of_o the_o gospel_n joh._n 20._o 22._o so_o that_o we_o shall_v not_o need_v to_o examine_v the_o whole_a body_n of_o scripture_n to_o discover_v what_o footstep_n of_o divine_a institution_n may_v be_v find_v here_o or_o there_o for_o the_o council_n whole_o insist_o and_o rely_v upon_o that_o text_n of_o st._n john_n and_o therefore_o if_o that_o fail_v they_o the_o whole_a hypothesis_n fall_v to_o the_o ground_n now_o for_o the_o clear_n of_o this_o let_v we_o lay_v the_o word_n before_o we_o and_o they_o be_v these_o he_o breathe_v on_o they_o and_o say_v receive_v you_o the_o holy_a ghost_n whosoever_o sin_n you_o remit_v they_o be_v remit_v unto_o they_o and_o whosoever_o sin_n you_o retain_v they_o be_v retain_v now_o here_o i_o appeal_v to_o any_o man_n that_o have_v eye_n in_o his_o head_n or_o ear_n to_o hear_v whether_o in_o this_o text_n there_o be_v any_o one_o word_n of_o auricular_a confession_n or_o much_o less_o of_o such_o a_o circumstantiated_a one_o as_o they_o require_v and_o this_o be_v so_o manifest_a and_o notorious_a that_o their_o own_o ancient_a canonist_n and_o several_a of_o their_o learned_a divine_n be_v ashamed_a of_o the_o pretence_n of_o divine_a institution_n found_v upon_o this_o or_o any_o other_o passage_n of_o scripture_n and_o therefore_o be_v content_a to_o defend_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n in_o this_o particular_a upon_o the_o account_n of_o the_o authority_n and_o general_a usage_n of_o the_o church_n which_o we_o shall_v come_v to_o examine_v by_o and_o by_o in_o its_o due_a place_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n i_o can_v choose_v but_o admire_v the_o mighty_a faith_n of_o a_o romanist_n who_o can_v believe_v in_o spite_n of_o his_o own_o eye_n it_o seem_v to_o we_o a_o unsuperable_a difficulty_n heretofore_o for_o a_o man_n to_o persuade_v himself_o that_o in_o the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o eucharist_n bread_n be_v transubstantiate_v into_o flesh_n because_o it_o be_v against_o the_o express_a testimony_n of_o sense_n yea_o although_o for_o that_o there_o be_v the_o countenance_n of_o five_o figurative_a but_o mistake_v word_n to_o support_v the_o credulity_n but_o this_o of_o the_o sacrament_n of_o penance_n clear_o outdo_v it_o for_o here_o a_o man_n must_v believe_v a_o thing_n to_o be_v when_o as_o there_o be_v not_o so_o much_o as_o one_o word_n for_o the_o ground_n of_o his_o faith_n or_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o thing_n in_o question_n how_o many_o sacrament_n may_v not_o such_o man_n have_v if_o they_o please_v what_o voluminous_a creed_n may_v not_o they_o swallow_v and_o digest_v what_o mountain_n may_v not_o such_o a_o wonderful_a faith_n remove_v but_o let_v we_o hear_v what_o they_o have_v to_o say_v for_o themselves_o perhaps_o in_o the_o first_o place_n they_o will_v plead_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n which_o have_v peremptory_o determine_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o passage_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o the_o purpose_n aforesaid_a indeed_o that_o council_n in_o the_o three_o canon_n of_o their_o fourteen_o session_n do_v damn_v all_o those_o who_o deny_v that_o a_o sacrament_n of_o penance_n and_o auricular_a confession_n be_v prescribe_v in_o that_o text_n of_o st._n john_n or_o who_o apply_v it_o to_o any_o other_o purpose_n but_o in_o so_o do_v they_o both_o usurp_v a_o prerogative_n which_o be_v never_o pretend_v to_o or_o practise_v by_o any_o council_n before_o they_o and_o withal_o they_o betray_v a_o consciousness_n that_o the_o text_n itself_o yield_v no_o sufficient_a evidence_n of_o the_o thing_n which_o they_o design_v to_o countenance_n by_o it_o for_o what_o council_n ever_o till_o now_o bring_v a_o text_n and_o then_o impose_v a_o interpretation_n upon_o it_o contrary_a to_o the_o word_n and_o then_o back_v that_o interpretation_n with_o a_o anathema_n if_o the_o text_n be_v plain_a or_o can_v be_v make_v so_o why_o be_v not_o that_o do_v and_o to_o be_v sure_a if_o that_o can_v be_v do_v by_o other_o mean_n the_o curse_n will_v not_o do_v it_o at_o least_o to_o any_o but_o very_o obedient_a roman_a conscience_n beside_o if_o this_o course_n be_v allow_v i_o see_v not_o but_o a_o council_n may_v bring_v in_o what_o religion_n they_o please_v have_v first_o make_v a_o nose_n of_o wax_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o then_o writhe_v it_o into_o what_o shape_n they_o best_a fancy_n for_o in_o such_o a_o case_n if_o the_o word_n of_o the_o gospel_n do_v not_o favour_v i_o i_o can_v govern_v the_o sense_n and_o if_o the_o letter_n be_v silent_a or_o intractable_a i_o can_v help_v that_o with_o a_o interpretation_n and_o if_o i_o have_v authority_n or_o confidence_n enough_o to_o impose_v that_o under_o the_o peril_n of_o anathema_n i_o be_o no_o long_o a_o interpreter_n or_o a_o judge_n but_o a_o lawgiver_n and_o need_v not_o trouble_v myself_o with_o scriptum_n est_fw-la but_o may_v if_o i_o will_v speak_v plain_a say_v decretum_fw-la est_fw-la and_o the_o business_n be_v do_v but_o if_o neither_o the_o letter_n of_o scripture_n nor_o the_o authority_n of_o a_o council_n will_v do_v in_o this_o case_n then_o in_o the_o second_o place_n they_o think_v they_o have_v at_o least_o some_o colour_n of_o reason_n to_o relieve_v they_o and_o if_o they_o can_v find_v auricular_a confession_n in_o the_o text_n yet_o they_o will_v by_o consequence_n infer_v it_o thence_o for_o they_o say_v although_o indeed_o it_o be_v true_a it_o be_v not_o here_o express_o mention_v yet_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o our_o saviour_n in_o the_o text_n before_o we_o institute_v a_o sacrament_n of_o penance_n and_o therefore_o auricular_a confession_n must_v necessary_o be_v imply_v because_o absolution_n can_v be_v without_o confession_n here_o the_o reader_n will_v observe_v that_o the_o point_n in_o question_n between_o we_o be_v very_o much_o alter_v for_o we_o be_v now_o fall_v from_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o divine_a institution_n of_o auricular_a confession_n in_o particular_a to_o that_o of_o a_o sacrament_n of_o penance_n in_o general_n i._n e._n from_o a_o direct_a proof_n to_o a_o subintelligitur_fw-la but_o we_o will_v follow_v they_o hither_o also_o and_o for_o the_o clear_n of_o this_o matter_n we_o will_v brief_o consider_v these_o three_o thing_n 1._o whether_o that_o can_v proper_o be_v say_v to_o be_v of_o divine_a institution_n and_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n which_o depend_v on_o a_o inference_n and_o be_v prove_v only_o by_o a_o innuendo_fw-la 2._o whether_o it_o can_v be_v reasonable_a to_o assert_v that_o our_o saviour_n there_o institute_n a_o sacrament_n of_o penance_n where_o not_o only_o auricular_a confession_n but_o the_o whole_a matter_n of_o such_o a_o sacrament_n be_v lest_o undefined_a 3._o whether_o if_o our_o saviour_n have_v do_v that_o which_o it_o be_v plain_a he_o have_v not_o that_o be_v have_v here_o institute_v and_o appoint_v all_o those_o thing_n which_o by_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v require_v as_o the_o material_a part_n of_o penance_n yet_o this_o can_v have_v be_v esteem_v a_o sacrament_n 1._o for_o the_o first_o of_o these_o we_o have_v no_o more_o to_o do_v but_o to_o consider_v the_o force_n and_o signification_n of_o this_o word_n institution_n now_o that_o in_o the_o common_a use_n of_o man_n especial_o of_o those_o which_o speak_v distinct_o and_o understand_o imply_v a_o set_n up_o de_fw-la novo_fw-la or_o the_o appoint_v that_o to_o become_v a_o duty_n which_o be_v not_o knowable_a or_o at_o least_o not_o know_v to_o be_v so_o before_o it_o become_v so_o appoint_v for_o this_o word_n institution_n be_v that_o which_o we_o use_v to_o express_v a_o positive_a command_n by_o in_o opposition_n to_o that_o which_o be_v moral_a in_o the_o strict_a sense_n and_o of_o natural_a obligation_n now_o
priest_n in_o his_o stead_n my_o meaning_n be_v that_o whereas_o for_o instance_n in_o baptism_n the_o priest_n apply_v to_o we_o the_o symbol_n of_o water_n and_o in_o the_o eucharist_n deliver_v to_o we_o the_o consecrate_a element_n in_o token_n of_o the_o divine_a grace_n contrariwise_a here_o in_o penance_n we_o must_v on_o our_o part_n bring_v with_o we_o contrition_n confession_n and_o satisfaction_n too_o in_o which_o respect_n we_o may_v be_v rather_o say_v to_o give_v pledge_n to_o god_n than_o he_o to_o we_o which_o be_v wide_o different_a from_o the_o nature_n of_o other_o sacrament_n and_o seem_v no_o less_o to_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o reason_n and_o notion_n of_o a_o sacrament_n in_o general_n the_o sum_n of_o what_o we_o have_v hitherto_o discourse_v amount_v to_o this_o first_o that_o here_o be_v no_o auricular_a confession_n institute_v by_o our_o saviour_n joh._n 20._o 22._o as_o be_v pretend_v second_o nor_o any_o sacrament_n of_o penance_n in_o which_o it_o can_v be_v include_v or_o imply_v no_o nor_o indeed_o any_o sacrament_n at_o all_o i_o confess_v i_o may_v have_v spare_v all_o the_o word_n i_o have_v use_v in_o prove_v the_o latter_a for_o so_o long_o as_o i_o have_v make_v appear_v that_o private_a confession_n be_v not_o institute_v it_o be_v not_o so_o very_o material_a to_o consider_v whether_o penance_n can_v be_v a_o sacrament_n or_o no_o but_o this_o i_o add_v to_o show_v the_o imperious_a dictate_v of_o that_o church_n and_o their_o extravagancy_n in_o impose_v the_o most_o sacred_a name_n upon_o their_o own_o invention_n thereby_o to_o give_v they_o the_o great_a veneration_n with_o the_o people_n and_o thus_o i_o will_v dismiss_v the_o first_o part_n of_o my_o undertake_n but_o yet_o the_o romanist_n will_v not_o forego_v their_o pretension_n for_o auricular_a confession_n for_o they_o will_v yet_o urge_v that_o whether_o or_o no_o we_o will_v call_v it_o a_o sacrament_n which_o our_o saviour_n institute_n in_o the_o text_n before_o we_o it_o be_v however_o certain_a here_o be_v a_o power_n confer_v on_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o successor_n of_o remit_v and_o retain_v sin_n for_o by_o these_o word_n whosoever_o sin_n you_o remit_v they_o be_v remit_v etc._n etc._n 4._o our_o saviour_n have_v make_v the_o priest_n a_o judge_n of_o man_n conscience_n and_o condition_n 2._o wherefore_o that_o he_o may_v not_o proceed_v blind_o and_o indiscriminate_o it_o be_v necessary_a that_o he_o know_v the_o merit_n of_o the_o cause_n and_o not_o only_o understand_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n but_o all_o the_o circumstance_n which_o may_v aggravate_v or_o extenuate_v it_o all_o which_o can_v be_v attain_v without_o the_o confession_n of_o the_o party_n therefore_o auricular_a confession_n be_v as_o necessary_o imply_v in_o the_o text_n as_o absolution_n or_o retention_n of_o sin_n be_v express_v in_o it_o so_o they_o but_o i_o crave_v leave_n to_o demand_v in_o the_o first_o place_n be_v it_o certain_a that_o upon_o such_o a_o confession_n as_o they_o require_v the_o priest_n as_o such_o will_v be_v able_a to_o make_v a_o right_a judgement_n of_o a_o man_n case_n that_o address_v himself_o to_o he_o especial_o consider_v the_o intricacy_n of_o some_o case_n and_o the_o ignorance_n of_o some_o priest_n upon_o this_o account_n be_v those_o memorable_a word_n of_o st._n austin_n confess_v lib._n 10._o c._n 3._o quid_fw-la mihi_fw-la ergo_fw-la est_fw-la cum_fw-la hominibus_fw-la ut_fw-la audiant_fw-la confessiones_fw-la meas_fw-la quasi_fw-la ipsi_fw-la sanaturi_fw-la sint_fw-la omnes_fw-la languores_fw-la meos_fw-la &_o unde_fw-la sciunt_fw-la cum_fw-la à _fw-la meipso_fw-la de_fw-fr meipso_fw-la audiunt_fw-la a_o verum_fw-la dicam_fw-la quando_fw-la quidem_fw-la nemo_fw-la scit_fw-la hominum_fw-la quid_fw-la agitur_fw-la in_o homine_fw-la nisi_fw-la spiritus_fw-la hominis_fw-la qui_fw-la in_o ipso_fw-la est_fw-la i_o e._n to_o what_o purpose_n shall_v i_o confess_v my_o sin_n to_o man_n who_o can_v heal_v my_o wound_n for_o how_o shall_v they_o who_o know_v nothing_o of_o my_o heart_n but_o by_o my_o own_o confession_n know_v whether_o i_o say_v true_a or_o no_o for_o no_o one_o know_v what_o be_v in_o man_n but_o the_o spirit_n of_o man_n that_o be_v in_o he_o o_o yes_o they_o will_v say_v cleave_v non_fw-la errante_fw-la that_o be_v to_o say_v if_o he_o judge_v right_a he_o judge_v right_a and_o no_o more_o and_o this_o be_v mighty_a comfort_n to_o a_o distress_a conscience_n second_o though_o we_o grant_v our_o saviour_n have_v give_v the_o priest_n authority_n to_o remit_v and_o retain_v sin_n yet_o how_o do_v it_o appear_v that_o this_o extend_v to_o secret_a sin_n sin_n in_o thought_n only_o or_o as_o the_o council_n express_v it_o against_o the_o nine_o and_o ten_o commandment_n of_o open_a sin_n and_o public_a scandal_n the_o church_n have_v cognizance_n and_o have_v a_o right_n which_o she_o may_v insist_v upon_o or_o recede_v from_o if_o she_o see_v cause_n because_o such_o sin_n be_v a_o injury_n to_o the_o society_n as_o well_o as_o a_o offence_n against_o god_n and_o therefore_o here_o the_o officer_n of_o the_o church_n may_v dispense_v her_o authority_n and_o remit_v or_o retain_v as_o we_o shall_v see_v more_o by_o and_o by_o but_o in_o secret_a sin_n where_o only_o god_n be_v injure_v and_o to_o which_o he_o be_v only_o privy_a what_o have_v the_o church_n to_o do_v unless_o they_o be_v voluntary_o discover_v to_o she_o otherwise_o they_o be_v proper_o reserve_v case_n to_o the_o tribunal_n of_o god_n three_o i_o will_v be_v bold_a to_o inquire_v further_o why_o may_v not_o sin_n especial_o such_o as_o we_o last_o name_v be_v remit_v upon_o confession_n to_o god_n without_o confession_n to_o the_o priest_n also_o and_o i_o the_o rather_o ask_v this_o for_o these_o two_o reason_n first_o i_o observe_v that_o this_o very_a council_n of_o trent_n say_v that_o until_o the_o time_n of_o our_o 1._o saviour_n and_o his_o institution_n of_o this_o sacrament_n sin_n be_v remit_v upon_o contrition_n only_o and_o application_n to_o the_o mercy_n of_o god_n without_o auricular_a confession_n they_o can_v therefore_o now_o say_v remission_n imply_v this_o confession_n for_o that_o can_v be_v say_v to_o be_v imply_v in_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o thing_n when_o the_o thing_n itself_o can_v be_v have_v without_o it_o they_o will_v answer_v that_o it_o be_v sufficient_a that_o it_o be_v now_o make_v necessary_a by_o our_o saviour_n but_o i_o reply_v then_o that_o institution_n which_o now_o make_v it_o necessary_a must_v be_v better_o prove_v then_o yet_o it_o have_v be_v or_o else_o man_n will_v be_v very_o apt_a to_o hope_v they_o may_v now_o under_o the_o gospel_n obtain_v pardon_n at_o least_o upon_o as_o easy_a term_n as_o it_o be_v to_o be_v have_v at_o before_o my_o second_o reason_n of_o ask_v that_o three_o question_n be_v this_o i_o observe_v that_o their_o own_o schoolman_n acknowledge_v 68_o sin_n to_o be_v remit_v under_o the_o gospel_n by_o the_o priest_n without_o any_o confession_n to_o man_n particular_o in_o the_o administration_n of_o baptism_n by_o which_o it_o plain_o appear_v that_o confession_n be_v not_o imply_v in_o the_o nature_n of_o remission_n but_o one_o may_v be_v have_v without_o the_o other_o and_o then_o why_o may_v not_o a_o sinner_n after_o baptism_n hope_v for_o pardon_n upon_o his_o contrite_a and_o devout_a application_n to_o the_o word_n and_o sacrament_n without_o this_o new_a device_n and_o picklock_n of_o conscience_n auricular_a confession_n but_o so_o much_o for_o that_o sect._n 3_o i_o proceed_v now_o to_o the_o second_o thing_n propound_v namely_o to_o inquire_v historical_o whether_o or_o no_o auricular_a or_o such_o a_o secret_a and_o sacramental_a confession_n as_o aforesaid_a have_v be_v of_o constant_a and_o universal_a use_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n as_o the_o romanist_n pretend_v and_o as_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n assert_n sessi_fw-la 14._o chap._n 5._o this_o inquiry_n be_v not_o into_o matter_n of_o law_n or_o divine_a right_n as_o the_o former_a be_v but_o of_o fact_n only_o yet_o never_o the_o less_o it_o be_v of_o great_a moment_n upon_o a_o double_a account_n 1._o because_o this_o be_v the_o ground_n which_o the_o old_a roman_a canonist_n whole_o go_v upon_o as_o i_o note_v before_o they_o explode_v all_o pretence_n of_o divine_a institution_n in_o the_o case_n as_o have_v more_o modesty_n it_o seem_v then_o to_o pretend_v so_o high_a upon_o no_o better_a evidence_n or_o at_o least_o they_o content_v themselves_o to_o prescribe_v for_o it_o only_o upon_o the_o authority_n of_o constant_a and_o universal_a practice_n now_o if_o we_o show_v the_o falseness_n of_o this_o ground_n as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o other_o then_o will_v their_o hypothesis_n of_o auricular_a confession_n have_v no_o foot_n to_o stand_v upon_o 2._o because_o the_o credit_n of_o what_o have_v be_v already_o
persuade_v to_o and_o encourage_v public_a confession_n and_o to_o apply_v they_o to_o auricular_a or_o clancular_a confession_n thus_o particular_o the_o aforesaid_a author_n do_v by_o tertullian_n in_o his_o citation_n of_o he_o 6._o 4._o and_o last_o whereas_o it_o be_v also_o true_a that_o several_a of_o those_o holy_a man_n of_o old_a do_v in_o some_o case_n very_o much_o recommend_v confession_n of_o secret_a sin_n and_o persuade_v some_o sort_n of_o man_n to_o the_o use_n of_o it_o namely_o those_o that_o be_v in_o great_a perplexity_n of_o conscience_n and_o that_o need_v ghostly_a counsel_n and_o advice_n or_o to_o the_o intent_n that_o they_o may_v obtain_v the_o assistance_n of_o the_o church_n prayer_n and_o make_v they_o the_o more_o ardent_a and_o effectual_a on_o their_o behalf_n whereas_o i_o say_v they_o recommend_v this_o as_o a_o expression_n of_o zeal_n or_o a_o prudent_a expedient_a or_o at_o most_o as_o necessary_a only_o in_o some_o case_n pro_fw-la hîc_fw-la &_o nunc_fw-la these_o great_a patron_n of_o auricular_a confession_n do_v with_o their_o usual_a artifice_n apply_v all_o these_o passage_n to_o prove_v it_o to_o be_v a_o stand_n and_o universal_o necessary_a duty_n a_o law_n to_o all_o christian_n this_o be_v a_o very_a common_a fault_n among_o they_o and_o particular_o st._n cyprian_n be_v thus_o misapply_v by_o the_o same_o forementioned_a writer_n lib._n 3._o cap._n 7._o hitherto_o inquire_v into_o the_o most_o ancient_a and_o pure_a time_n of_o the_o church_n by_o the_o write_n of_o the_o father_n of_o those_o time_n we_o have_v not_o be_v able_a to_o discover_v any_o sufficient_a ground_n for_o such_o a_o auricular_a confession_n as_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n pretend_v to_o much_o less_o for_o a_o constant_a and_o uninterrupted_a succession_n of_o it_o but_o now_o after_o all_o i_o must_v acknowledge_v there_o be_v a_o passage_n in_o ecclesiastical_a 16._o history_n which_o seem_v to_o promise_v we_o satisfaction_n herein_o and_o therefore_o must_v by_o no_o mean_n be_v slight_o pass_v over_o without_o due_a consideration_n it_o be_v the_o famous_a story_n of_o nectarius_n bishop_n of_o constantinople_n and_o predecessor_n to_o st._n chrysostom_n which_o happen_v something_o less_o than_o four_o hundred_o year_n after_o our_o saviour_n the_o story_n as_o it_o be_v relate_v by_o the_o joint_a testimony_n of_o socrates_n and_o sozomen_n run_v thus_o in_o the_o time_n of_o this_o nectarius_n there_o be_v it_o seem_v a_o custom_n in_o that_o church_n as_o also_o in_o most_o other_o that_o one_o of_o the_o presbyter_n of_o great_a piety_n wisdom_n and_o gravity_n shall_v be_v choose_v penitentiary_n that_o be_v be_v appoint_v to_o the_o peculiar_a office_n of_o receive_v confession_n and_o to_o assist_v and_o direct_v the_o penitent_n in_o the_o management_n of_o their_o repentance_n now_o it_o happen_v that_o a_o certain_a woman_n of_o quality_n strike_v with_o remorse_n of_o conscience_n come_v to_o the_o penitentiary_n that_o then_o be_v and_o according_a to_o custom_n make_v a_o particular_a confession_n of_o all_o such_o sin_n as_o she_o be_v conscious_a to_o herself_o to_o have_v commit_v since_o her_o baptism_n for_o which_o he_o according_a to_o his_o office_n appoint_v she_o the_o penance_n of_o fast_v and_o continual_a prayer_n to_o expiate_v her_o gild_n and_o give_v proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o her_o repentance_n but_o she_o proceed_v on_o very_o particular_o in_o her_o confession_n at_o last_o among_o other_o thing_n come_v to_o declare_v that_o a_o certain_a deacon_n of_o that_o church_n have_v lie_v with_o she_o upon_o notice_n of_o which_o horrid_a fact_n the_o deacon_n be_v forthwith_o cashier_v and_o cast_v out_o of_o the_o church_n by_o which_o mean_v the_o miscarriage_n take_v air_n and_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o people_n they_o present_o fall_v into_o a_o mighty_a commotion_n and_o rage_n about_o it_o partly_o in_o detestation_n of_o so_o foul_a a_o action_n of_o the_o deacon_n but_o principal_o in_o contemplation_n of_o the_o dishonour_n and_o scandal_n thereby_o reflect_v on_o the_o whole_a church_n the_o bishop_n find_v the_o honour_n of_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o his_o clergy_n extreme_o concern_v in_o this_o accident_n and_o be_v very_o anxious_a what_o to_o do_v in_o this_o case_n at_o last_o by_o the_o counsel_n of_o one_o eudaemon_n a_o presbyter_n of_o that_o church_n he_o resolve_v thenceforth_o to_o abolish_v the_o office_n of_o penitentiary_n both_o to_o extinguish_v the_o present_a flame_n and_o to_o prevent_v the_o like_a occasion_n for_o the_o future_a and_o now_o by_o this_o mean_v every_o man_n be_v leave_v to_o the_o conduct_n of_o his_o own_o conscience_n and_o permit_v to_o partake_v of_o the_o holy_a mystery_n at_o his_o own_o peril_n this_o be_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n faithful_o render_v from_o the_o word_n of_o the_o historian_n but_o this_o if_o we_o take_v it_o in_o the_o gross_a and_o look_v no_o further_o than_o so_o will_v not_o do_v much_o towards_o the_o decide_n of_o the_o present_a controversy_n we_o will_v therefore_o examine_v thing_n a_o little_a more_o narrow_o by_o the_o help_n of_o such_o hint_n as_o those_o writer_n afford_v we_o perhaps_o we_o may_v make_v good_a use_n of_o it_o at_o last_o and_o to_o this_o purpose_n 1._o i_o observe_v in_o the_o first_o place_n that_o though_o at_o the_o first_o blush_v here_o seem_v to_o be_v a_o early_a and_o great_a example_n of_o that_o auricular_a confession_n which_o we_o oppose_v forasmuch_o as_o here_o be_v not_o only_o the_o order_n of_o the_o church_n of_o constantinople_n for_o confession_n to_o a_o priest_n but_o that_o to_o be_v of_o all_o sin_n commit_v after_o baptism_n and_o this_o to_o be_v make_v to_o he_o in_o secret_a notwithstanding_o upon_o a_o more_o through_o view_v it_o will_v appear_v quite_o another_o thing_n from_o that_o plead_v for_o and_o practise_v by_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n and_o that_o especial_o in_o the_o respect_n follow_v first_o in_o the_o auricular_a confession_n in_o the_o story_n there_o be_v some_o remainder_n of_o the_o ancient_a discipline_n of_o the_o church_n who_o confession_n use_v to_o be_v open_a and_o public_a as_o i_o have_v show_v in_o that_o here_o a_o public_a officer_n be_v appoint_v by_o the_o church_n to_o receive_v they_o such_o a_o one_o as_o who_o prudence_n and_o learning_n and_o piety_n she_o can_v confide_v in_o for_o a_o business_n of_o so_o great_a nicety_n and_o difficulty_n and_o it_o be_v neither_o leave_v to_o the_o penitent_a to_o choose_v his_o confident_a for_o his_o confessor_n nor_o at_o large_a for_o every_o priest_n to_o represent_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n in_o so_o ticklish_a a_o affair_n as_o that_o of_o discipline_n but_o to_o a_o public_a officer_n appoint_v by_o the_o church_n for_o this_o purpose_n so_o that_o confession_n to_o he_o can_v be_v say_v to_o be_v private_a see_v it_o be_v do_v to_o the_o whole_a church_n by_o he_o to_o confirm_v which_o second_o this_o penitentiary_n it_o seem_v be_v bind_v as_o there_o be_v occasion_n to_o discover_v the_o matter_n open_v to_o he_o in_o secret_n to_o the_o church_n as_o appear_v in_o the_o crime_n of_o the_o deacon_n in_o the_o story_n there_o be_v no_o pretence_n of_o a_o seal_n of_o confession_n in_o this_o case_n as_o in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n by_o virtue_n of_o which_o a_o man_n may_v confess_v and_o go_v on_o to_o sin_n again_o secret_o without_o danger_n of_o be_v bring_v upon_o the_o stage_n whatsoever_o the_o atrocity_n of_o his_o crime_n be_v and_o indeed_o without_o any_o effectual_a course_n in_o order_n to_o his_o repentance_n and_o reformation_n again_o three_o this_o confession_n in_o the_o story_n do_v not_o pretend_v to_o be_v of_o absolute_a necessity_n as_o if_o a_o man_n sin_n may_v not_o be_v pardon_v without_o it_o but_o only_o a_o prudent_a provision_n of_o the_o church_n to_o help_v man_n forward_o in_o their_o repentance_n to_o direct_v the_o act_n and_o expression_n of_o it_o and_o especial_o to_o relieve_v perplex_v and_o weak_a conscience_n and_o to_o assist_v they_o in_o their_o preparation_n for_o the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n and_o this_o appear_v among_o other_o thing_n by_o the_o account_n which_o the_o historian_n give_v we_o of_o the_o consequence_n of_o abolish_n it_o viz._n that_o now_o every_o man_n be_v leave_v to_o his_o own_o conscience_n about_o his_o partake_n of_o the_o holy_a mystery_n but_o it_o be_v not_o say_v or_o intimate_v that_o he_o be_v leave_v under_o the_o guilt_n of_o his_o sin_n for_o want_v of_o confession_n to_o which_o add_v in_o the_o last_o place_n that_o this_o office_n whatever_o it_o be_v be_v not_o repute_v a_o sacrament_n but_o rather_o as_o i_o note_v before_o a_o expedient_a to_o prepare_v man_n for_o it_o for_o doubtless_o neither_o that_o