it_o be_v very_o evident_a that_o all_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n ought_v to_o be_v appoint_v very_o plain_o and_o express_o or_o else_o they_o can_v carry_v no_o obligation_n with_o they_o for_o see_v the_o whole_a reason_n of_o their_o become_a matter_n of_o law_n or_o duty_n lie_v in_o the_o will_n of_o the_o legislator_n if_o that_o be_v not_o plain_o discover_v they_o can_v be_v say_v to_o be_v institute_v and_o so_o there_o can_v be_v no_o obligation_n to_o observe_v they_o because_o where_o there_o be_v no_o law_n there_o can_v be_v no_o transgression_n and_o a_o law_n be_v no_o law_n in_o effect_n which_o be_v not_o sufficient_o promulge_v be_v it_o not_o therefore_o a_o very_a strange_a thing_n to_o tell_v we_o of_o a_o institution_n by_o implication_n only_o and_o yet_o at_o the_o same_o time_n to_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o matter_n so_o pretend_v to_o be_v institute_v be_v no_o less_o than_o absolute_o 2._o necessary_a to_o the_o salvation_n of_o sinner_n 2._o the_o second_o of_o these_o will_v easy_o be_v resolve_v by_o consider_v what_o we_o observe_v before_o from_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n viz._n that_o this_o sacrament_n of_o penance_n consist_v of_o 3_o matter_n and_o form_n the_o form_n be_v the_o priest_n absolution_n but_o the_o matter_n or_o material_n of_o this_o sacrament_n be_v contrition_n confession_n to_o a_o priest_n and_o satisfaction_n or_o performance_n of_o the_o penance_n enjoin_v by_o he_o now_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o not_o only_o auricular_a confession_n of_o which_o we_o have_v speak_v hitherto_o but_o also_o contrition_n and_o satisfaction_n be_v whole_o omit_v and_o pass_v over_o in_o silence_n by_o the_o evangelist_n in_o this_o passage_n of_o scripture_n from_o whence_o they_o fetch_v their_o sacrament_n of_o penance_n and_o be_v it_o not_o a_o wonderful_o strange_a thing_n that_o our_o saviour_n shall_v be_v suppose_v to_o institute_v a_o sacrament_n without_o any_o material_n of_o it_o at_o all_o sure_o therefore_o this_o must_v be_v either_o a_o very_a spiritual_a sacrament_n or_o none_o at_o all_o let_v we_o guess_v at_o the_o probability_n of_o this_o in_o proportion_n to_o either_o of_o the_o other_o undoubted_a sacrament_n suppose_v our_o saviour_n instead_o of_o that_o accurate_a form_n in_o which_o he_o institute_v the_o eucharist_n have_v only_o say_v i_o will_v have_v you_o my_o disciple_n and_o all_o that_o shall_v believe_v on_o my_o name_n to_o keep_v a_o memorial_n of_o i_o when_o i_o be_o go_v or_o suppose_v he_o say_v only_o as_o he_o do_v joh._n 6._o 55._o my_o flesh_n be_v meat_n indeed_o and_o my_o blood_n be_v drink_v indeed_o will_v any_o one_o have_v conclude_v here_o that_o our_o saviour_n in_o so_o say_v have_v appoint_v bread_n and_o wine_n to_o be_v consecrate_v to_o be_v receive_v in_o such_o a_o manner_n and_o in_o a_o word_n that_o he_o have_v without_o more_o ado_n institute_v such_o a_o sacrament_n as_o we_o usual_o celebrate_v no_o certain_o and_o therefore_o we_o see_v our_o saviour_n be_v the_o most_o express_a and_o particular_a therein_o that_o can_v be_v for_o he_o take_v bread_n bless_v it_o break_v it_o give_v it_o to_o they_o say_v take_v eat_v this_o be_v my_o body_n etc._n etc._n and_o after_o supper_n he_o take_v the_o cup_n bless_v it_o give_v it_o to_o they_o say_v drink_v you_o all_o of_o this_o for_o this_o be_v the_o new_a testament_n in_o my_o blood_n etc._n etc._n and_o then_o add_v do_v this_o in_o remembrance_n of_o i_o now_o who_o be_v there_o that_o observe_v this_o accuracy_n of_o our_o saviour_n in_o the_o eucharist_n can_v imagine_v that_o he_o shall_v intend_v to_o institute_v a_o sacrament_n of_o penance_n and_o that_o as_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n in_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o romanist_n as_o the_o other_o only_o with_o this_o form_n of_o word_n whosoever_o sin_n you_o remit_v they_o be_v remit_v etc._n etc._n and_o without_o the_o least_o mention_n of_o confession_n contrition_n or_o any_o other_o material_a or_o necessary_a part_n of_o circumstance_n of_o it_o 3._o but_o in_o the_o three_o and_o last_o place_n let_v we_o suppose_v that_o our_o saviour_n have_v in_o the_o text_n before_o we_o institute_v penance_n and_o have_v appoint_v particular_o all_o those_o thing_n which_o they_o call_v the_o material_a part_n of_o it_o as_o it_o be_v evident_a he_o have_v not_o yet_o even_o then_o and_o upon_o that_o supposition_n penance_n will_v not_o have_v prove_v to_o be_v a_o sacrament_n proper_o so_o call_v i_o confess_v according_a to_o a_o loose_a acceptation_n of_o the_o word_n sacrament_n something_o may_v be_v say_v for_o it_o for_o so_o there_o be_v many_o thing_n have_v have_v the_o name_n of_o sacrament_n apply_v to_o they_o tertullian_n somewhere_o call_v elisha_n axe_n the_o sacrament_n of_o wood_n and_o in_o his_o book_n against_o martion_n he_o style_v the_o whole_a christian_a religion_n a_o sacrament_n st._n austin_n in_o several_a place_n call_v bread_n fish_n the_o rock_n and_o the_o mystery_n of_o number_n sacrament_n for_o he_o have_v give_v we_o a_o general_a rule_n in_o his_o five_o epistle_n viz._n that_o all_o sign_n when_o they_o belong_v to_o divine_a thing_n be_v call_v sacrament_n and_o in_o consideration_n hereof_o it_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o cassander_n that_o the_o number_n of_o sacrament_n be_v indefinite_a in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n itself_o until_o the_o time_n of_o peter_n lombard_n but_o all_o this_o notwithstanding_o and_o proper_o speak_v this_o rite_n of_o penance_n take_v it_o altogether_o and_o even_o suppose_v whatsoever_o the_o romanist_n can_v suppose_v to_o belong_v to_o it_o can_v be_v repute_v a_o sacrament_n according_a to_o the_o allow_a definition_n of_o a_o sacrament_n deliver_v by_o their_o own_o divine_n some_o of_o they_o define_v a_o sacrament_n thus_o sacram._n sacramentum_fw-la est_fw-la corporale_fw-la elementum_fw-la foris_fw-la sensibiliter_fw-la propositum_fw-la ex_fw-la similitudine_fw-la repraesentans_fw-la &_o ex_fw-la institutione_n significans_fw-la &_o ex_fw-la sanctificatione_n continens_fw-la invisibilem_fw-la gratiam_fw-la and_o the_o 1._o master_n of_o the_o sentence_n himself_o describe_v it_o somewhat_o more_o brief_o but_o to_o the_o same_o effect_n in_o these_o word_n sacramentum_fw-la est_fw-la invisibilis_fw-la gratiae_fw-la visibilis_fw-la forma_fw-la ejusdem_fw-la gratiae_fw-la imaginem_fw-la gerens_fw-la &_o causa_fw-la existens_fw-la both_o which_o definition_n be_v acknowledge_v and_o applaud_v by_o the_o jesuit_n sacramentis_fw-la becanus_n and_o the_o plain_a truth_n be_v a_o sacrament_n can_v be_v better_a express_v in_o so_o few_o word_n than_o it_o be_v by_o st._n 16._o austin_n when_o he_o call_v it_o verbum_fw-la visibile_fw-la a_o visible_a word_n or_o gospel_n for_o it_o please_v the_o divine_a wisdom_n and_o goodness_n by_o this_o institution_n of_o sacrament_n to_o condescend_v to_o our_o weakness_n and_o thereby_o to_o give_v we_o sensible_a token_n or_o pledge_n of_o what_o he_o have_v promise_v in_o his_o write_a word_n to_o the_o intent_n that_o our_o dulness_n may_v be_v relieve_v and_o our_o faith_n assist_v forasmuch_o as_o herein_o our_o eye_n and_o other_o sense_n as_o well_o as_o our_o ear_n be_v make_v witness_n of_o his_o gracious_a intention_n thus_o by_o baptismal_a wash_n he_o give_v we_o a_o sensible_a token_n and_o representation_n of_o our_o regeneration_n and_o the_o wash_n away_o of_o our_o sin_n by_o the_o blood_n of_o christ_n and_o by_o the_o participation_n of_o bread_n and_o wine_n in_o the_o lord_n supper_n we_o have_v a_o token_n and_o symbol_n of_o our_o union_n with_o christ_n our_o friendship_n with_o god_n and_o communion_n with_o each_o other_o but_o now_o it_o be_v manifest_a there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o this_o in_o their_o sacrament_n of_o penance_n as_o even_o bellarmine_n himself_o confess_v for_o they_o do_v not_o say_v or_o mean_v that_o the_o absolution_n of_o the_o priest_n be_v a_o token_n or_o emblem_n of_o god_n forgiveness_n but_o that_o the_o priest_n actual_o pardon_v in_o god_n stead_n by_o virtue_n of_o a_o power_n delegated_a to_o he_o so_o that_o according_a to_o they_o here_o must_v be_v a_o sacrament_n not_o only_o without_o any_o material_a part_n institute_v but_o also_o without_o any_o thing_n figurative_a symbolical_a or_o significative_a which_o seem_v to_o be_v as_o express_o contrary_a to_o their_o own_o doctrine_n in_o the_o aforesaid_a definition_n as_o to_o the_o truth_n itself_o nay_o further_o to_o evince_v the_o difference_n of_o this_o rite_n of_o penance_n from_o all_o other_o proper_a sacrament_n it_o deserve_v observation_n that_o whereas_o in_o those_o other_o acknowledge_v sacrament_n the_o priest_n in_o god_n name_n deliver_v to_o we_o the_o pledge_n and_o symbol_n of_o divine_a grace_n here_o in_o this_o of_o penance_n we_o must_v bring_v all_o the_o material_a part_n and_o pledge_n ourselves_o and_o present_v they_o to_o god_n or_o to_o the_o
say_v under_o the_o former_a head_n do_v very_o much_o depend_v upon_o this_o and_o that_o discourse_n will_v be_v confirm_v or_o impair_v respective_o to_o what_o shall_v be_v evident_o make_v out_o in_o this_o second_o point_n forasmuch_o as_o if_o on_o the_o one_o side_n it_o be_v make_v apparent_a that_o such_o a_o rite_n have_v be_v of_o constant_a use_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n it_o will_v afford_v a_o great_a presumption_n that_o it_o take_v its_o rise_n at_o first_o from_o divine_a institution_n notwithstanding_o all_o we_o have_v offer_v to_o the_o contrary_n so_o on_o the_o other_o side_n if_o the_o evidence_n here_o answer_v not_o the_o pretention_n and_o no_o sufficient_a footstep_n of_o constant_a and_o universal_a practice_n appear_v then_o will_v all_o that_o which_o we_o have_v hitherto_o discourse_v be_v great_o strengthen_v and_o confirm_v because_o it_o be_v by_o no_o mean_n probable_a that_o if_o there_o have_v be_v a_o divine_a law_n in_o the_o case_n that_o such_o a_o thing_n will_v have_v be_v general_o neglect_v by_o the_o christian_a church_n now_o for_o the_o clear_n of_o this_o though_o i_o be_o here_o only_o upon_o the_o defensive_a and_o so_o bind_v to_o no_o more_o than_o to_o examine_v the_o proof_n which_o the_o romanist_n bring_v for_o their_o pretension_n yet_o i_o will_v deal_v ingenuous_o as_o seek_v not_o to_o find_v flaw_n but_o to_o discover_v the_o truth_n and_o therefore_o give_v these_o instance_n as_o so_o many_o reason_n for_o the_o negative_a in_o the_o first_o place_n i_o crave_v leave_n to_o premise_v this_o if_o auricular_a confession_n be_v so_o great_a a_o gospel_n mystery_n so_o wonderful_o efficacious_a a_o method_n of_o save_a soul_n as_o to_o be_v typify_v in_o the_o law_n as_o the_o romanist_n teach_v as_o well_o as_o institute_v in_o the_o gospel_n and_o practise_v by_o the_o whole_a church_n one_o may_v seem_v just_o to_o wonder_v how_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o there_o shall_v be_v no_o mention_n nor_o appearance_n of_o it_o in_o the_o whole_a course_n of_o our_o saviour_n own_o ministry_n he_o use_v to_o be_v a_o example_n as_o well_o as_o a_o lawgiver_n to_o the_o church_n he_o wash_v his_o disciple_n foot_n before_o he_o enjoin_v they_o to_o wash_v one_o another_o he_o exemplify_v the_o other_o sacrament_n before_o he_o prescribe_v his_o apostle_n to_o administer_v they_o &_o one_o will_v have_v think_v such_o a_o instance_n of_o his_o example_n have_v be_v more_o necessary_a in_o this_o business_n of_o penance_n rather_o than_o any_o other_o if_o it_o have_v be_v but_o to_o make_v way_n for_o the_o understanding_n of_o so_o obscure_a a_o institution_n since_o especial_o one_o will_v have_v think_v to_o find_v some_o trace_n of_o this_o in_o the_o ministry_n of_o our_o saviour_n because_o he_o daily_o converse_v with_o sinner_n he_o reprove_v they_o instruct_v they_o heal_v they_o pardon_v they_o but_o never_o bring_v any_o of_o they_o to_o such_o a_o confession_n as_o we_o be_v treat_v of_o viz._n to_o a_o particular_a enumeration_n of_o their_o sin_n with_o the_o circumstance_n nor_o upon_o so_o do_v formal_o absolve_v they_o his_o very_a disciple_n some_o of_o which_o have_v be_v great_a sinner_n be_v admit_v without_o it_o the_o woman_n of_o samaria_n be_v tell_v by_o he_o all_o that_o ever_o she_o do_v but_o she_o be_v not_o bring_v on_o her_o knee_n to_o make_v she_o own_o confession_n but_o most_o strange_a of_o all_o it_o be_v that_o the_o woman_n take_v in_o adultery_n when_o he_o have_v make_v her_o accuser_n slink_v away_o be_v not_o private_o bring_v to_o it_o it_o may_v be_v they_o will_v say_v there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o confession_n to_o he_o who_o know_v all_o before_o but_o yet_o it_o may_v have_v be_v necessary_a to_o bring_v these_o sinner_n to_o be_v ashamed_a of_o themselves_o by_o that_o mean_n to_o work_v repentance_n and_o fit_v they_o for_o pardon_n at_o least_o if_o this_o method_n have_v be_v of_o such_o mighty_a use_n and_o wonderful_a necessity_n as_o be_v pretend_v 2._o but_o to_o let_v pass_v that_o in_o the_o next_o place_n it_o be_v matter_n of_o wonder_n that_o nothing_o of_o this_o practice_n appear_v in_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o apostle_n they_o go_v about_o preach_v the_o gospel_n call_v man_n to_o repentance_n erect_v and_o govern_v church_n but_o never_o set_v themselves_o down_o in_o a_o confessor_n chair_n for_o penitent_n secret_o to_o tell_v they_o in_o their_o ear_n the_o story_n of_o their_o vicious_a life_n indeed_o we_o read_v act_v 19_o 18._o that_o some_o come_v in_o and_o show_v their_o deed_n but_o first_o it_o be_v voluntary_a and_o in_o a_o fit_a of_o holy_a zeal_n for_o we_o can_v find_v that_o they_o be_v require_v to_o do_v it_o as_o of_o sacramental_a obligation_n &_o beside_o the_o confession_n be_v public_a before_o the_o church_n not_o clancular_a and_o whisper_v in_o secret_a it_o be_v true_a also_o that_o st._n james_n chap._n 5._o 16._o advice_n the_o christian_n to_o confess_v their_o fault_n one_o to_o another_o which_o be_v make_v a_o mighty_a evidence_n in_o this_o case_n but_o it_o be_v as_o true_a that_o this_o be_v speak_v in_o a_o extraordinary_a case_n as_o appear_v v_o 14._o in_o bodily_a sickness_n and_o distress_n of_o conscience_n they_o be_v advise_v to_o lay_v open_a their_o condition_n in_o order_n to_o relief_n and_o succour_n by_o the_o more_o ardent_a and_o affectionate_a prayer_n of_o those_o who_o shall_v be_v make_v privy_a to_o it_o but_o it_o be_v not_o make_v a_o stand_n and_o universal_a rule_n for_o all_o man_n to_o comply_v with_o whether_o they_o be_v sick_a or_o well_o in_o prosperity_n or_o adversity_n perplex_v or_o quiet_a in_o their_o conscience_n much_o less_o of_o sacramental_a and_o necessary_a obligation_n as_o in_o the_o roman_a church_n 3._o let_v we_o go_v on_o in_o the_o next_o age_n after_o the_o apostle_n for_o about_o two_o hundred_o year_n we_o find_v not_o one_o word_n of_o this_o kind_n of_o confession_n which_o we_o inquire_v for_o indeed_o the_o write_n of_o that_o time_n which_o be_v extant_a be_v not_o many_o but_o if_o this_o business_n have_v be_v of_o such_o consequence_n as_o be_v pretend_v it_o be_v strange_a that_o those_o holy_a man_n ignatius_n clemens_n and_o justin_n martyr_n shall_v not_o have_v any_o mention_n of_o it_o indeed_o bellarmine_n bring_v we_o one_o instance_n within_o this_o period_n and_o that_o be_v from_o irenaeus_n who_o speak_v of_o certain_a woman_n who_o have_v be_v abuse_v by_o martion_n the_o heretic_n say_v they_o afterward_o come_v and_o confess_v all_o with_o shame_n and_o sorrow_n to_o the_o church_n but_o what_o be_v this_o to_o the_o purpose_n we_o dispute_v not_o against_o public_a confession_n which_o be_v acknowledge_v to_o be_v true_o primitive_a and_o we_o wish_v it_o have_v be_v constant_o maintain_v in_o after_o age_n it_o be_v only_o the_o necessity_n of_o clancular_a confession_n that_o we_o be_v unsatisfy_v in_o and_o this_o passage_n speak_v nothing_o at_o all_o to_o that_o case_n 4._o in_o tertullia_n time_n which_o be_v also_o much_o about_o two_o hundred_o year_n after_o our_o saviour_n we_o find_v great_a thing_n say_v of_o confession_n but_o it_o be_v of_o that_o which_o be_v public_a and_o in_o the_o face_n of_o the_o church_n not_o to_o a_o priest_n in_o a_o corner_n and_o this_o indeed_o be_v great_o encourage_v and_o require_v by_o the_o holy_a man_n of_o those_o time_n as_o that_o which_o in_o the_o case_n of_o open_a and_o scandalous_a sin_n free_v the_o church_n both_o from_o the_o guilt_n and_o from_o the_o reproach_n of_o they_o and_o in_o the_o case_n of_o secret_a sin_n be_v a_o mean_n by_o open_a shame_n to_o bring_v man_n to_o repentance_n and_o so_o to_o pardon_v and_o the_o confession_n be_v principal_o direct_v to_o god_n who_o be_v the_o person_n offend_v by_o the_o sin_n yet_o it_o be_v make_v before_o man_n to_o raise_v a_o fervency_n in_o their_o prayer_n as_o be_v note_v before_o and_o to_o obtain_v their_o effectual_a intercession_n with_o god_n on_o behalf_n of_o the_o penitent_a this_o that_o ancient_a writer_n make_v manifest_a to_o be_v his_o sense_n in_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr poenitentia_fw-la in_o these_o word_n plerumque_fw-la vero_fw-la jejuniis_fw-la preces_fw-la alere_fw-la ingemiscere_fw-la lachrymari_fw-la &_o mugire_fw-la dies_fw-la noctésque_fw-la ad_fw-la dominum_fw-la deum_fw-la tuum_fw-la presbyteris_fw-la advolvi_fw-la &_o aris_fw-la or_o rather_o charis_fw-la dei_fw-la adgeniculari_fw-la omnibus_fw-la fratribus_fw-la legationes_fw-la saae_fw-la deprecationis_fw-la injungere_fw-la haec_fw-la omne_fw-la ex_fw-la homologesis_n ut_fw-la poenitentiam_fw-la commendet_fw-la etc._n etc._n the_o penitent_a often_o join_v fast_v to_o his_o prayer_n weep_v wail_n and_o moan_n night_n and_o day_n before_o god_n cast_v himself_o at_o the_o foot_n of_o the_o
will_v not_o discharge_v all_o their_o life_n before_o though_o not_o then_o neither_o without_o sign_n of_o attrition_n and_o contrition_n too_o but_o these_o pretend_v to_o quit_v another_o thing_n namely_o to_o release_v man_n in_o foro_fw-la conscientiae_fw-la and_o to_o give_v they_o a_o passport_n to_o heaven_n without_o repentance_n which_o be_v a_o very_a strange_a thing_n to_o say_v no_o worse_o of_o it_o or_o to_o instance_n one_o thing_n more_o what_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o their_o practice_n of_o give_v absolution_n before_o the_o penance_n be_v perform_v as_o be_v usual_a with_o they_o unless_o this_o be_v it_o that_o whether_o the_o man_n make_v any_o conscience_n at_o all_o how_o he_o live_v hereafter_o yet_o he_o be_v pardon_v as_o much_o as_o the_o priest_n can_v do_v it_o for_o he_o and_o be_v not_o this_o a_o likely_a way_n of_o reformation_n i_o conclude_v therefore_o now_o upon_o the_o whole_a matter_n that_o auricular_a confession_n as_o it_o be_v use_v in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v only_o a_o artifice_n of_o greaten_v the_o priest_n and_o please_v the_o people_n a_o trick_n of_o gratify_v the_o undevout_a and_o impious_a as_o well_o as_o the_o devout_a and_o religious_a the_o latter_a it_o impose_v upon_o by_o its_o outward_a appearance_n of_o humility_n and_o piety_n to_o the_o former_a it_o serve_v for_o a_o palliative_a cure_n of_o the_o gripe_v of_o conscience_n which_o they_o be_v now_o and_o then_o trouble_v with_o in_o reality_n it_o tend_v to_o make_v sin_n easy_a and_o tolerable_a by_o the_o cheapness_n of_o its_o pardon_n and_o in_o a_o word_n it_o be_v nothing_o but_o the_o old_a discipline_n of_o the_o church_n in_o dust_n and_o ash_n and_o therefore_o though_o the_o church_n of_o england_n in_o her_o liturgy_n pious_o wish_n for_o the_o restauration_n of_o the_o ancient_a discipline_n of_o the_o church_n it_o can_v be_v no_o defect_n in_o she_o that_o she_o trouble_v not_o herself_o with_o this_o rubbish_n finis_fw-la a_o postscript_n after_o i_o have_v finish_v the_o forego_n paper_n and_o most_o part_n of_o they_o have_v also_o past_a the_o press_n i_o happen_v to_o have_v notice_n that_o there_o be_v a_o book_n just_a then_o come_v over_o from_o france_n write_v by_o a_o divine_a of_o the_o sorbone_n which_o with_o great_a appearance_n of_o learn_v maintain_v the_o just_a contrary_n to_o what_o i_o have_v assert_v especial_o in_o the_o historical_a part_n of_o this_o question_n and_o pretend_v to_o prove_v from_o the_o most_o ancient_a monument_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n father_n pope_n and_o council_n that_o auricular_a confession_n have_v be_v the_o constant_a doctrine_n and_o universal_a and_o uninterrupted_a usage_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n for_o near_o 1300_o year_n from_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n to_o the_o lateran_n council_n so_o soon_o as_o i_o hear_v this_o i_o hearty_o wish_v that_o either_o the_o say_a book_n have_v come_v out_o a_o little_a soon_o or_o at_o least_o that_o my_o paper_n have_v be_v yet_o in_o my_o hand_n to_o the_o intent_n that_o it_o may_v have_v be_v in_o my_o power_n to_o have_v correct_v what_o may_v be_v amiss_o or_o supply_v what_o be_v defective_a in_o that_o short_a discourse_n or_o indeed_o if_o occasion_n be_v to_o have_v whole_o suppress_v it_o for_o as_o soon_o as_o i_o enter_v upon_o the_o say_a book_n and_o find_v from_o no_o less_o a_o man_n than_o the_o author_n himself_o that_o he_o have_v diligent_o read_v over_o all_o that_o have_v be_v write_v on_o both_o side_n of_o this_o controversy_n and_o that_o this_o work_n of_o his_o be_v the_o product_n of_o eighteen_o year_n study_n and_o that_o in_o the_o prime_n of_o his_o year_n and_o most_o flourish_a time_n of_o his_o part_n that_o it_o be_v publish_v upon_o the_o maturest_n deliberation_n on_o his_o part_n and_o with_o the_o great_a applause_n and_o approbation_n of_o the_o faculty_n i_o think_v i_o have_v reason_n to_o suspect_v whether_o a_o small_a tract_n write_v in_o haste_n by_o a_o man_n of_o no_o name_n and_o full_a enough_o of_o other_o business_n can_v be_v fit_a to_o be_v see_v on_o the_o same_o day_n with_o so_o elaborate_a a_o work_n but_o by_o that_o time_n i_o have_v read_v a_o little_a further_o i_o take_v heart_n and_o permit_v the_o press_n to_o go_v on_o and_o now_o that_o i_o have_v go_v over_o the_o whole_a i_o do_v here_o profess_v sincere_o that_o in_o all_o that_o learned_a discourse_n i_o scarce_o find_v any_o thing_n which_o i_o have_v not_o foresee_v and_o as_o i_o think_v in_o some_o measure_n prevent_v but_o certain_a i_o be_o nothing_o occur_v that_o stagger_v my_o judgement_n or_o which_o do_v not_o rather_o confirm_v i_o in_o what_o i_o have_v write_v for_o though_o i_o meet_v with_o abundance_n of_o citation_n and_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o wit_n and_o dexterity_n in_o the_o management_n of_o they_o yet_o i_o find_v none_o of_o they_o come_v home_o to_o the_o point_n for_o whereas_o they_o sometime_o recommend_v and_o press_v confession_n of_o sin_n in_o general_a sometime_o to_o the_o church_n sometime_o to_o the_o priest_n or_o bishop_n as_o well_o as_o to_o god_n almighty_a again_o sometime_o they_o speak_v great_a thing_n of_o the_o dignity_n of_o the_o priesthood_n and_o the_o great_a honour_n that_o order_n have_v in_o be_v wonderful_o useful_a to_o the_o relief_n of_o guilty_a or_o afflict_a conscience_n other_o while_o they_o treat_v of_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n and_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n the_o danger_n of_o her_o censure_n the_o comfort_n of_o her_o absolution_n and_o the_o severity_n of_o her_o discipline_n etc._n etc._n but_o all_o these_o thing_n be_v acknowledge_v by_o we_o without_o laborious_a proof_n as_o well_o as_o by_o our_o adversary_n that_o which_o we_o demand_v and_o expect_v therefore_o be_v where_o shall_v we_o find_v in_o any_o of_o the_o ancient_a father_n auricular_a confession_n say_v to_o be_v a_o sacrament_n or_o any_o part_n of_o one_o or_o where_o be_v the_o universal_a necessity_n of_o it_o assert_v or_o that_o secret_a sin_n commit_v after_o baptism_n be_v by_o no_o other_o mean_n or_o upon_o no_o other_o term_n pardon_v with_o god_n then_o upon_o their_o be_v confess_v to_o man_n in_o these_o thing_n lie_v the_o hinge_n of_o our_o dispute_n and_o of_o these_o particular_n one_o ought_v in_o reason_n to_o expect_v the_o most_o direct_a and_o plain_a proof_n imaginable_a if_o the_o matter_n be_v of_o such_o consequence_n of_o such_o universal_a practice_n and_o notoriety_n as_o they_o pretend_v but_o nothing_o of_o all_o this_o appear_v in_o this_o writer_n more_o than_o in_o those_o that_o have_v go_v before_o he_o in_o contemplation_n of_o which_o i_o now_o adventure_v this_o little_a tract_n into_o the_o world_n with_o somewhat_o more_o of_o confidence_n than_o i_o shall_v have_v do_v have_v it_o not_o be_v for_o this_o occasion_n but_o lest_o i_o shall_v seem_v to_o be_v too_o partial_a in_o the_o case_n or_o to_o give_v too_o slight_a a_o account_n of_o this_o learned_a man_n performance_n the_o reader_n who_o please_v shall_v be_v judge_n by_o a_o specimen_fw-la or_o two_o which_o i_o will_v here_o brief_o represent_v to_o he_o the_o former_a of_o they_o shall_v be_v the_o very_a first_o argument_n or_o testimony_n he_o produce_v for_o his_o assertion_n which_o i_o the_o rather_o make_v my_o choice_n to_o give_v instance_n in_o because_o no_o man_n can_v be_v say_v ingenuous_o to_o seek_v for_o fault_n to_o pick_v and_o choose_v for_o matter_n of_o exception_n that_o take_v the_o first_o thing_n that_o come_v to_o hand_n the_o business_n be_v this_o chap._n 2._o page_n 11._o of_o his_o book_n he_o cite_v the_o council_n of_o illiberis_n with_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o circumstance_n as_o the_o first_o witness_n for_o his_o cause_n and_o the_o testimony_n be_v take_v from_o the_o seventy_o six_o canon_n the_o word_n be_v these_o si_fw-mi quis_fw-la diaconum_fw-la etc._n etc._n i._n e._n if_o any_o man_n shall_v suffer_v himself_o to_o be_v ordain_v deacon_n and_o shall_v afterward_o be_v convict_v to_o have_v former_o commit_v some_o mortal_n or_o capital_a crime_n if_o the_o say_a crime_n come_v to_o light_n by_o his_o own_o voluntary_a confession_n he_o shall_v for_o the_o space_n of_o three_o year_n be_v debar_v the_o holy_a communion_n but_o in_o case_n his_o sin_n be_v discover_v and_o make_v know_v to_o the_o church_n by_o some_o other_o hand_n than_o he_o shall_v suffer_v five_o year_n suspension_n and_o after_o that_o be_v admit_v only_o to_o lay_v communion_n now_o who_o will_v have_v ever_o think_v this_o passage_n fit_a to_o be_v make_v choice_n of_o as_o the_o first_o proof_n of_o auricular_a confession_n or_o who_o can_v imagine_v it_o shall_v be_v any_o proof_n at_o all_o much_o