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
a_o discourse_n concern_v auricular_a confession_n as_o it_o be_v prescribe_v by_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n and_o practise_v in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n with_o a_o postscript_n on_o occasion_n of_o a_o book_n late_o print_v in_o france_n call_v historia_n confessionis_fw-la auricularis_fw-la london_n print_v by_o h._n hill_n jun._n for_o benj._n take_v at_o the_o sign_n of_o the_o ship_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n and_o fincham_n gardener_n at_o the_o sign_n of_o the_o white-horse_n in_o ludgate-street_n 1648._o of_o auricular_a confession_n the_o zealot_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v wont_a to_o glory_n of_o the_o singular_a advantage_n in_o the_o communion_n of_o that_o church_n especial_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o great_a mean_n and_o help_v of_o spiritual_a comfort_n which_o they_o pretend_v be_v to_o be_v have_v there_o above_z and_o beyond_o what_o be_v to_o be_v find_v among_o other_o society_n of_o christian_n which_o one_o thing_n if_o it_o can_v be_v as_o substantial_o make_v out_o as_o it_o be_v confident_o assert_v can_v not_o fail_v to_o sway_v very_o much_o with_o all_o wise_a man_n and_o will_v undoubted_o prevail_v with_o all_o devout_a person_n who_o be_v make_v acquaint_v with_o the_o secret_a to_o go_v over_o to_o they_o but_o if_o contrariwise_o it_o appear_v upon_o search_n that_o their_o pretension_n of_o this_o kind_n be_v false_a and_o groundless_a and_o that_o the_o method_n of_o administer_a consolation_n which_o be_v peculiar_a to_o that_o church_n be_v as_o well_o unsafe_a and_o deceitful_a as_o singular_a and_o unnecessary_a then_o the_o same_o prudence_n and_o sincerity_n will_v oblige_v a_o man_n to_o suspect_v that_o communion_n instead_o of_o become_v a_o proselyte_n to_o it_o and_o to_o look_v upon_o the_o aforesaid_a boasting_n as_o the_o effect_n either_o of_o design_a imposture_n or_o at_o the_o least_o of_o ignorance_n and_o delusion_n among_o other_o thing_n that_o church_n high_o value_v itself_o upon_o the_o sacrament_n of_o penance_n as_o they_o call_v it_o and_o as_o deep_o blame_v and_o condemn_v the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o other_o reform_a church_n for_o their_o defect_n in_o and_o neglect_v of_o so_o important_a and_o comfortable_a a_o office_n and_o under_o that_o specious_a pretext_n her_o emissary_n who_o be_v wont_n according_a to_o the_o phrase_n of_o the_o apostle_n to_o creep_v into_o house_n and_o lead_v captive_n silly_a woman_n etc._n etc._n insinuate_v themselves_o into_o such_o of_o the_o people_n as_o have_v more_o zeal_n than_o knowledge_n and_o now_o and_o then_o wheadle_n some_o of_o they_o over_o into_o their_o society_n to_o that_o purpose_n they_o will_v not_o only_a harangue_n they_o with_o fine_a story_n of_o the_o ease_n and_o benefit_n of_o it_o as_o of_o a_o ancient_n and_o useful_a rite_n but_o will_v also_o preach_v to_o they_o the_o necessity_n of_o it_o as_o of_o divine_a institution_n and_o that_o it_o be_v as_o important_a in_o its_o kind_n as_o baptism_n or_o the_o lord_n supper_n for_o that_o confession_n to_o a_o priest_n and_o his_o absolution_n thereupon_o obtain_v be_v the_o only_a mean_n appoint_v by_o god_n for_o the_o procure_n of_o pardon_n of_o all_o mortal_a sin_n commit_v after_o baptism_n as_o for_o original_a sin_n or_o whatsoever_o actual_a transgression_n may_v have_v be_v commit_v before_o baptism_n 2._o all_o those_o they_o acknowledge_v to_o be_v wash_v away_o in_o that_o sacred_a laver._n and_o for_o sin_n of_o infirmity_n or_o venial_a sin_n these_o may_v be_v do_v away_o by_o several_a easy_a method_n by_o contrition_n alone_o say_v some_o nay_o by_o attrition_n alone_o specie_fw-la say_v other_o by_o habitual_a grace_n say_v a_o three_o etc._n etc._n but_o for_o mortal_a sin_n commit_v after_o a_o man_n be_v admit_v into_o the_o church_n by_o baptism_n for_o these_o there_o be_v no_o other_o door_n of_o mercy_n but_o the_o priest_n lip_n nor_o have_v god_n appoint_v or_o will_v admit_v of_o any_o other_o way_n of_o reconciliation_n than_o this_o of_o confession_n to_o a_o priest_n and_o his_o absolution_n this_o sacrament_n of_o penance_n therefore_o be_v call_v by_o they_o secunda_fw-la tabula_fw-la post_fw-la naufragium_fw-la the_o peculiar_a refuge_n of_o a_o lapse_v christian_a the_o only_a sanctuary_n of_o a_o guilty_a conscience_n the_o sole_a mean_n of_o restore_v such_o a_o person_n to_o peace_n of_o conscience_n the_o favour_n of_o god_n and_o the_o hope_n of_o heaven_n and_o withal_o this_o method_n be_v hold_v to_o be_v so_o sovereign_a and_o effectual_a a_o remedy_n that_o it_o cure_v toties_fw-la quoties_fw-la and_o whatever_o a_o man_n in_o fearriage_n have_v be_v and_o how_o often_o soever_o repeat_v if_o he_o do_v but_o as_o often_o resort_v to_o it_o he_o shall_v return_v as_o pure_a and_o clean_a as_o when_o he_o first_o come_v from_o the_o font._n this_o ready_a and_o easy_a way_n say_v they_o have_v god_n allow_v man_n of_o quit_v all_o score_n with_o himself_o in_o the_o use_n of_o which_o they_o may_v have_v perfect_a peace_n in_o their_o conscience_n and_o may_v think_v of_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n without_o horror_n have_v their_o case_n decide_v beforehand_o by_o god_n deputy_n the_o priest_n and_o their_o pardon_n ready_a to_o produce_v and_o plead_v at_o the_o tribunal_n of_o christ_n what_o a_o mighty_a defect_n be_v it_o therefore_o in_o the_o protestant_a church_n who_o want_v this_o sacrament_n want_v the_o principal_a ministry_n of_o reconciliation_n and_o who_o will_v not_o join_v himself_o to_o the_o society_n of_o that_o church_n where_o this_o great_a case_n be_v so_o abundant_o provide_v for_o for_o if_o all_o this_o be_v true_a he_o must_v be_v extreme_o foolhardy_a and_o deserve_v to_o perish_v who_o will_v not_o be_v of_o that_o communion_n from_o whence_o the_o way_n to_o heaven_n be_v so_o very_o easy_a and_o obvious_a no_o wonder_n therefore_o i_o say_v if_o not_o only_o the_o loose_a and_o vicious_a be_v fond_a of_o this_o communion_n where_o they_o may_v sin_v and_o confess_v and_o confess_v and_o sin_v again_o without_o any_o great_a danger_n but_o it_o will_v be_v strange_a if_o the_o more_o virtuous_a and_o prudent_a also_o do_v not_o out_o of_o more_o caution_n think_v it_o become_v they_o to_o comply_v with_o his_o expedient_a for_o as_o much_o as_o there_o be_v no_o man_n who_o understand_v himself_o but_o must_v be_v conscious_a of_o have_v commit_v sin_n since_o his_o baptism_n and_o then_o for_o fear_v some_o of_o they_o shall_v prove_v to_o be_v of_o a_o mortal_a nature_n it_o will_v be_v his_o safe_a course_n to_o betake_v himself_o to_o this_o refuge_n and_o consequent_o he_o will_v easy_o be_v draw_v to_o that_o church_n where_o the_o only_a remedy_n of_o his_o disease_n be_v to_o be_v have_v but_o the_o best_a of_o it_o be_v these_o thing_n be_v so_o oner_n say_v then_o prove_v and_o more_o easy_o fancy_v by_o silly_a people_n then_o believe_v by_o those_o of_o discretion_n and_o therefore_o there_o may_v be_v no_o culpable_a defect_n in_o the_o reform_a church_n that_o they_o trust_v not_o to_o this_o remedy_n in_o so_o great_a a_o case_n and_o as_o for_o the_o church_n of_o england_n in_o particular_a though_o she_o have_v no_o fondness_n for_o mountebank_n medicine_n as_o observe_v they_o to_o be_v seldom_o successful_a yet_o she_o be_v not_o want_v in_o her_o care_n and_o compassion_n to_o the_o soul_n of_o those_o under_o her_o guidance_n but_o express_v as_o much_o tenderness_n of_o their_o peace_n and_o comfort_n as_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n can_v pretend_v to_o indeed_o she_o have_v not_o set_v up_o a_o confessor_n chair_n in_o every_o parish_n nor_o much_o less_o place_v the_o priest_n in_o the_o seat_n of_o god_n almighty_n as_o think_v it_o safe_o at_o least_o in_o ordinary_a case_n to_o remit_v man_n to_o the_o text_n of_o the_o write_a word_n of_o god_n and_o to_o the_o public_a ministry_n thereof_o for_o resolution_n of_o conscience_n then_o to_o the_o secret_a oracle_n of_o a_o priest_n in_o a_o corner_n and_o advise_v they_o rather_o to_o observe_v what_o god_n himself_o declare_v of_o the_o nature_n and_o guilt_n of_o sin_n the_o aggravation_n or_o abatement_n of_o it_o and_o the_o term_n and_o condition_n of_o pardon_n than_o what_o a_o priest_n pronounce_v but_o however_o this_o course_n do_v not_o please_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n for_o reason_n best_o know_v to_o themselves_o which_o if_o we_o may_v guess_v at_o the_o main_n seem_v to_o be_v this_o they_o do_v not_o think_v it_o fit_a to_o let_v man_n be_v their_o own_o carver_n but_o lead_v they_o like_o child_n by_o the_o hand_n my_o meaning_n be_v they_o keep_v people_n as_o much_o in_o ignorance_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n as_o they_o can_v lock_v that_o up_o from_o they_o in_o a_o unknown_a tongue_n now_o if_o they_o may_v not_o be_v
priest_n kneels_z to_o all_o holy_a people_n and_o entreat_v all_o the_o brethren_n to_o be_v his_o intercessor_n with_o god_n almighty_a for_o his_o pardon_n this_o be_v penitential_a confession_n 39_o etc._n etc._n and_o in_o his_o apology_n more_o plain_o coimus_fw-la in_o caetum_fw-la etc._n etc._n ibidem_fw-la exhortationes_fw-la castigationes_fw-la &_o censura_fw-la divina_fw-la nam_fw-la &_o judicatur_fw-la magno_fw-la cum_fw-la pondere_fw-la ut_fw-la apud_fw-la certos_fw-la de_fw-la dei_fw-la conspectu_fw-la summumque_fw-la futuri_fw-la judicii_fw-la praejudicium_fw-la est_fw-la si_fw-la quis_fw-la it_z a_o deliquer_fw-fr it_o ut_fw-mi à _fw-fr communione_fw-la etc._n etc._n religetur_fw-la we_o have_v say_v he_o in_o our_o ecclesiastical_a assembly_n a_o spiritual_a judicature_n and_o with_o great_a gravity_n censure_v offender_n etc._n etc._n but_o i_o need_v say_v no_o more_o of_o this_o for_o we_o have_v the_o testimony_n of_o beatus_fw-la rhenanus_fw-la one_o of_o the_o roman_a church_n and_o of_o great_a insight_n into_o ecclesiastical_a affair_n who_o give_v we_o this_o account_n of_o tertullian_n poeitent_a and_o his_o time_n nihil_fw-la illum_fw-la de_fw-la clancularia_fw-la illa_fw-la poenitentiâ_fw-la loqui_fw-la quae_fw-la id_fw-la temporis_fw-la penitus_fw-la ignorabatur_fw-la there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o secret_a or_o clancular_a confession_n in_o use_n in_o tertullian_n time_n which_o be_v a_o thing_n not_o so_o much_o as_o know_v by_o the_o christian_a church_n in_o those_o day_n 5._o to_o go_v a_o little_a low_o such_o be_v the_o manner_n of_o proceed_n in_o st._n cyprian_n time_n as_o he_o himself_o describe_v it_o the_o sinner_n by_o outward_a gesture_n and_o token_n show_v 15._o himself_o to_o be_v sorrowful_a and_o penitent_a for_o his_o sin_n and_o then_o make_v humble_a confession_n thereof_o before_o the_o whole_a congregation_n and_o desire_v all_o the_o brethren_n to_o pray_v for_o he_o which_o do_v the_o bishop_n and_o clergy_n lay_v their_o hand_n upon_o he_o and_o so_o reconcile_v he_o so_o it_o be_v also_o in_o origen_n time_n and_o once_o for_o all_o to_o deliver_v the_o custom_n of_o the_o church_n in_o those_o time_n touch_v this_o 37._o particular_a i_o will_v add_v the_o word_n of_o the_o historian_n rei_fw-la 16._o ad_fw-la terram_fw-la se_fw-la pronos_fw-la abjiciunt_fw-la etc._n etc._n they_o that_o be_v conscious_a to_o themselves_o to_o have_v offend_v fall_v down_o flat_a upon_o the_o ground_n with_o weep_v and_o lamentation_n in_o the_o church_n on_o the_o other_o side_n the_o bishop_n run_v to_o they_o with_o tear_n in_o his_o eye_n and_o fall_v down_o to_o the_o ground_n also_o in_o token_n of_o sorrow_n and_o compassion_n and_o the_o whole_a congregation_n in_o the_o mean_a while_n sympathize_v with_o both_o be_v overwhelm_v with_o tear_n etc._n etc._n 6._o if_o we_o go_v low_a yet_o to_o the_o time_n of_o st._n chrysostom_n and_o st._n austin_n we_o find_v those_o holy_a man_n speak_v very_o etc._n slight_o of_o confession_n to_o man_n so_o little_o do_v they_o think_v of_o auricular_a confession_n be_v a_o sacrament_n st._n augustine_n judgement_n in_o the_o case_n we_o have_v hear_v before_o in_o the_o ten_o book_n of_o his_o confession_n and_o three_o chapter_n and_o for_o the_o other_o the_o testimony_n out_o of_o he_o be_v so_o many_o and_o so_o well_o know_v that_o i_o can_v think_v it_o necessary_a to_o transcribe_v they_o and_o as_o for_o st._n jerom_n who_o live_v about_o the_o same_o time_n i_o think_v it_o sufficient_a to_o repeat_v the_o account_n of_o erasmus_n who_o be_v very_o conversant_a in_o his_o write_n and_o indeed_o of_o all_o the_o other_o father_n and_o who_o have_v no_o other_o fault_n i_o know_v but_o that_o he_o do_v use_v mordaci_fw-la radere_fw-la vero_fw-la to_o be_v too_o great_a a_o telltruth_n which_o sure_o will_v not_o invalidate_v his_o testimony_n his_o word_n be_v these_o apparet_fw-la tempore_fw-la hieronimi_fw-la nondum_fw-la institutam_fw-la fuisse_fw-la secretam_fw-la admissorum_fw-la confessionem_fw-la verùm_fw-la in_o hoc_fw-la labuntur_fw-la theologi_fw-la quidam_fw-la parum_fw-la attenti_fw-la quòd_fw-la quae_fw-la veteres_fw-la scribunt_fw-la de_fw-la publica_fw-la &_o generali_fw-la confession_n ea_fw-la trahunt_fw-la ad_fw-la occultam_fw-la &_o long_o diversi_fw-la generis_fw-la i._n e._n it_o be_v evident_a say_v he_o that_o in_o st._n jerom_n time_n which_o be_v about_o four_o hundred_o year_n after_o our_o saviour_n there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o secret_a confession_n in_o use_n but_o the_o mistake_n be_v that_o some_o few_o late_a and_o inconsiderate_a divine_n have_v take_v the_o instance_n of_o general_a and_o public_a confession_n then_o practise_v for_o argument_n of_o that_o auricular_a confession_n which_o be_v now_o use_v though_o quite_o of_o a_o different_a nature_n from_o it_o thus_o we_o have_v trace_v the_o current_n of_o antiquity_n for_o four_o or_o five_o hundred_o year_n to_o search_v for_o the_o head_n of_o this_o nilus_n the_o source_n and_o rise_v of_o that_o kind_n of_o confession_n which_o be_v so_o high_o magnify_v by_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n but_o hitherto_o we_o have_v find_v nothing_o of_o it_o and_o this_o methinks_v shall_v be_v sufficient_a to_o stagger_v a_o impartial_a inquirer_n at_o least_o it_o be_v as_o much_o as_o can_v be_v expect_v in_o so_o short_a a_o treatise_n as_o this_o be_v intend_v to_o be_v and_o may_v satisfy_v the_o unprejudicate_a that_o there_o be_v as_o little_a of_o antiquity_n to_o favour_v this_o rite_n as_o there_o be_v of_o divine_a institution_n to_o be_v plead_v for_o it_o but_o yet_o i_o know_v on_o the_o other_o side_n that_o the_o romanist_n pretend_v to_o bring_v abundance_n of_o testimony_n for_o it_o and_o bellarmine_n particular_o go_v from_o century_n to_o century_n with_o his_o citation_n to_o prescribe_v for_o the_o constant_a and_o uninterrupted_a use_n of_o it_o but_o i_o do_v sincere_o think_v that_o these_o four_o follow_v short_a observation_n will_v enable_v a_o man_n to_o answer_v they_o all_o 1._o i_o observe_v that_o whereas_o this_o word_n exomologesis_fw-la be_v common_o use_v by_o diverse_a of_o the_o father_n as_o the_o phrase_n whereby_o they_o intend_v to_o express_v the_o whole_a nature_n of_o repentance_n in_o all_o the_o part_n and_o branch_n of_o it_o as_o be_v evident_a by_o the_o passage_n i_o cite_v out_o of_o tertullian_n de_fw-fr poenit._n even_o now_o and_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o bellarmine_n himself_o nevertheless_o mere_o because_o that_o word_n signify_v confession_n proper_o and_o nothing_o else_o these_o romish_a sophister_n where_o they_o find_v this_o word_n exomologesis_fw-la force_v it_o into_o a_o argument_n for_o that_o confession_n which_o they_o contend_v for_o and_o so_o several_a discourse_n of_o the_o father_n concern_v repentance_n in_o general_n be_v make_v to_o be_v nothing_o but_o exhortation_n to_o or_o encomium_n of_o confession_n in_o particular_a and_o that_o must_v be_v nothing_o else_o neither_o but_o auricular_a confession_n the_o thing_n in_o question_n a_o cast_n of_o his_o skill_n in_o this_o way_n bellarmine_n give_v we_o in_o irenaeus_n the_o very_a first_o author_n he_o cite_v for_o auricular_a confession_n in_o the_o last_o quote_v book_n and_o chapter_n of_o his_o write_n de_fw-fr sacramentis_fw-la 2._o whereas_o the_o novatian_o exclude_v all_o hope_n of_o repentance_n or_o pardon_n for_o sin_n commit_v after_o baptism_n but_o the_o true_a church_n contrariwise_o admit_v to_o hope_n of_o pardon_n upon_o their_o repentance_n upon_o this_o occasion_n when_o some_o of_o the_o father_n just_o magnify_v the_o advantage_n and_o comfortableness_n of_o the_o true_a church_n above_o the_o schismatical_a as_o that_o it_o set_v open_v a_o door_n of_o hope_n to_o those_o who_o confess_v their_o sin_n and_o apply_v themselves_o to_o her_o ministry_n hence_o these_o witty_a man_n will_v persuade_v the_o world_n that_o every_o true_a church_n have_v a_o confessor_n chair_n and_o such_o a_o formal_a way_n of_o pardon_v as_o they_o now_o practice_v at_o rome_n as_o if_o there_o be_v no_o remission_n of_o sin_n where_o there_o be_v no_o auricular_a confession_n and_o as_o if_o all_o that_o exclude_v the_o latter_a reject_v the_o former_a too_o and_o be_v no_o better_o than_o novatian_a heretic_n whenas_o in_o truth_n the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n be_v exercise_v in_o all_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o church_n and_o she_o pardon_n and_o retain_v sin_n otherwise_o than_o by_o the_o oracle_n of_o a_o particular_a confessor_n as_o we_o have_v see_v already_o this_o piece_n of_o juggle_v the_o same_o bellarmine_n be_v 8._o also_o guilty_a of_o in_o his_o citation_n of_o lactantius_n 3._o whereas_o the_o ancient_a writer_n be_v much_o in_o the_o commendation_n of_o confession_n of_o sin_n whether_o it_o be_v to_o god_n or_o to_o the_o church_n but_o general_o intend_v that_o which_o be_v public_a it_o be_v common_a with_o those_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n to_o lay_v hold_n of_o all_o such_o say_n as_o be_v intend_v to_o