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
trust_v with_o those_o sacred_a record_n so_o as_o to_o inform_v themselves_o of_o the_o term_n of_o the_o new_a covenant_n the_o condition_n of_o the_o pardon_n of_o sin_n and_o salvation_n it_o be_v then_o but_o reasonable_a that_o the_o priest_n shall_v judge_v for_o they_o and_o that_o they_o await_v their_o doom_n from_o his_o mouth_n yet_o i_o do_v not_o see_v why_o in_o a_o protestant_a church_n where_o the_o whole_a religion_n be_v in_o the_o mother_n tongue_n the_o old_a and_o especial_o the_o new_a testament_n constant_o and_o conscientious_o expound_v and_o the_o people_n allow_v to_o search_v the_o scripture_n and_o to_o see_v whether_o thing_n be_v so_o or_o no_o i_o see_v not_o i_o say_v why_o in_o such_o a_o case_n the_o priest_n may_v not_o in_o great_a measure_n be_v excuse_v the_o trouble_n of_o attend_v secret_a confession_n without_o danger_n to_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n but_o beside_o this_o there_o be_v a_o constant_a use_n of_o confession_n and_o absolution_n too_o in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n in_o every_o day_n service_n which_o though_o they_o be_v both_o in_o general_a term_n as_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v in_o public_a worship_n yet_o every_o penitent_n can_v both_o from_o his_o own_o conscience_n supply_v the_o generality_n of_o the_o confession_n by_o a_o remorseful_a reflection_n upon_o his_o own_o particular_a sin_n as_o well_o as_o if_o he_o do_v it_o at_o the_o knee_n of_o a_o priest_n and_o also_o by_o a_o act_n of_o faith_n can_v apply_v the_o general_a sentence_n of_o absolution_n to_o his_o own_o soul_n with_o as_o good_a and_o comfortable_a effect_n as_o if_o it_o have_v be_v special_o pronounce_v by_o his_o confessor_n but_o this_o public_a confession_n do_v not_o please_v the_o romanist_n neither_o and_o they_o know_v a_o reason_n for_o their_o dislike_n namely_o because_o this_o do_v not_o conciliate_v so_o great_a a_o veneration_n to_o the_o priesthood_n as_o when_o all_o man_n be_v bring_v to_o kneel_v to_o they_o for_o salvation_n neither_o do_v this_o way_n make_v they_o to_o pry_v into_o the_o secret_a thought_n of_o man_n as_o auricular_a confession_n do_v wherein_o the_o priest_n be_v not_o only_o make_v a_o judge_n of_o man_n estate_n but_o a_o spy_n upon_o their_o behaviour_n and_o be_v capable_a of_o become_v a_o intelligencer_n to_o his_o superior_n of_o all_o the_o design_n interest_n and_o even_a constitution_n of_o the_o people_n moreover_o the_o church_n of_o england_n allow_v of_o private_a confession_n also_o as_o particular_o in_o the_o visitation_n of_o the_o sick_a which_o office_n extend_v also_o to_o they_o that_o be_v trouble_v in_o mind_n or_o conscience_n as_o well_o as_o to_o the_o afflict_a in_o body_n where_o the_o minister_n be_v direct_v to_o examine_v particular_o the_o state_n of_o the_o decumbent_n soul_n to_o search_v and_o rummage_v his_o conscience_n to_o try_v his_o faith_n his_o repentance_n his_o charity_n nay_o to_o move_v he_o to_o make_v a_o special_a confession_n of_o his_o sin_n and_o afterward_o to_o absolve_v he_o upon_o just_a ground_n nay_o further_o yet_o if_o beside_o the_o case_n of_o sickness_n any_o man_n shall_v either_o out_o of_o perplexity_n of_o mind_n scrupulosity_n or_o remorse_n of_o conscience_n or_o any_o other_o devout_a consideration_n think_v it_o needful_a to_o apply_v himself_o to_o a_o priest_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n for_o advice_n ease_n or_o relief_n he_o have_v encouragement_n and_o direction_n so_o to_o do_v in_o the_o first_o exhortation_n to_o the_o holy_a communion_n and_o may_v be_v sure_a to_o find_v those_o who_o will_v tender_o and_o faithful_o as_o well_o as_o secret_o administer_v to_o his_o necessity_n so_o that_o i_o see_v not_o what_o defect_n or_o omission_n can_v be_v object_v to_o this_o church_n in_o all_o this_o affair_n or_o what_o temptation_n any_o man_n can_v have_v upon_o this_o account_n to_o go_v from_o we_o to_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n but_o all_o this_o will_v not_o satisfy_v they_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n they_o be_v neither_o content_v with_o public_a confession_n nor_o with_o private_a no_o nor_o with_o secret_a neither_o if_o it_o be_v only_o occasional_a or_o voluntary_a it_o be_v the_o universality_n and_o necessity_n of_o it_o which_o they_o insist_v upon_o for_o it_o be_v not_o with_o they_o a_o matter_n of_o ecclesiastical_a discipline_n to_o prevent_v the_o scandal_n of_o the_o society_n to_o conserve_v the_o reverence_n of_o the_o church_n or_o to_o rest_v rain_n man_n from_o sin_v or_o much_o less_o a_o office_n of_o expediency_n and_o prudence_n to_o be_v resort_v to_o upon_o exigency_n or_o such_o as_o may_v accidental_o become_v necessary_a upon_o emergency_n as_o suppose_v upon_o the_o atrocity_n of_o some_o fact_n commit_v the_o scandalousness_n of_o some_o person_n former_a life_n which_o may_v make_v he_o more_o doubtful_a of_o his_o pardon_n the_o weakness_n of_o his_o judgement_n the_o melancholy_a of_o his_o temper_n or_o the_o anxiety_n of_o his_o mind_n or_o any_o such_o like_a occasion_n but_o it_o must_v be_v the_o stand_a indispensable_a duty_n of_o all_o man_n as_o the_o condition_n of_o the_o pardon_n of_o their_o sin_n in_o one_o word_n it_o must_v be_v a_o sacrament_n of_o divine_a institution_n and_o of_o universal_a obligation_n for_o so_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n determin_n sess_z 4._o canon_n 1._o si_fw-mi quis_fw-la dixerit_fw-la in_o ecolesiâ_fw-la catholica_fw-la poenitentiam_fw-la nom_fw-fr esse_fw-la verè_fw-la &_o propriè_fw-la sacramentum_fw-la pro_fw-la fidelibus_fw-la quoties_fw-la post_fw-la baptismum_fw-la in_o peccata_fw-la labentur_fw-la ipsi_fw-la deo_fw-la reconciliandiâ—_n a_o domino_fw-la nostro_fw-la institutum_fw-la anathema_n sit_v i._n e._n let_v he_o be_v accurse_v who_o shall_v affirm_v that_o penance_n be_v not_o true_o and_o proper_o a_o sacrament_n institute_v and_o appoint_v in_o the_o universal_a church_n by_o our_o lord_n christ_n himself_o for_o the_o reconcile_n those_o christian_n to_o the_o divine_a majesty_n who_o have_v fall_v into_o sin_n after_o their_o baptism_n and_o in_o the_o doctrinal_a part_n of_o that_o decree_n they_o teach_v and_o assert_v more_o particular_o first_o that_o our_o saviour_n institute_v this_o sacrament_n express_o joh._n 20._o 22._o 2._o that_o this_o sacrament_n consist_v of_o two_o part_n viz._n the_o matter_n and_o the_o form_n the_o matter_n of_o the_o sacrament_n 2._o or_o quasi_fw-la materia_fw-la as_o they_o cautious_o speak_v be_v the_o act_n or_o act_n of_o the_o penitent_a namely_o contrition_n confession_n and_o satisfaction_n the_o form_n of_o it_o be_v the_o act_n of_o the_o priest_n in_o these_o word_n absolvote_v 3._o that_o therefore_o it_o be_v the_o duty_n of_o every_o man_n who_o have_v fall_v after_o baptism_n as_o aforesaid_a to_o confess_v his_o sin_n 3._o at_o least_o once_o a_o year_n to_o a_o priest_n 4._o that_o this_o confession_n be_v to_o be_v secret_a for_o public_a confession_n 5._o they_o say_v be_v neither_o command_v nor_o expedient_a 5._o that_o this_o confession_n of_o mortal_a sin_n be_v very_o exact_a and_o ibid._n particular_a together_o with_o all_o circumstance_n especial_o such_o as_o speciem_fw-la facti_fw-la mutantâ—_n alter_v the_o kind_n or_o degree_n of_o sin_n and_o that_o it_o extend_v to_o the_o most_o secret_a sin_n even_o of_o thought_n or_o against_o the_o 9th_o and_o 10_o commandment_n ibid._n 6._o that_o the_o penitent_a thus_o do_v the_o absolution_n of_o 6._o the_o priest_n hereupon_o pronounce_v be_v not_o conditional_a or_o declarative_a only_a but_o absolute_a and_o judicial_a now_o in_o opposition_n to_o this_o doctrine_n and_o decree_n of_o they_o and_o the_o practice_n of_o that_o church_n pursuant_n thereof_o as_o well_o as_o in_o defence_n of_o the_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n in_o that_o particular_a i_o will_v here_o endeavour_v to_o make_v good_a these_o three_o thing_n 1._o that_o our_o bless_a lord_n and_o saviour_n have_v neither_o in_o his_o gospel_n institute_v such_o a_o auricular_a confession_n as_o aforesaid_a nor_o much_o less_o such_o a_o sacrament_n of_o penance_n as_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n suppose_v in_o the_o recite_v decree_n 2._o that_o auricular_a confession_n have_v not_o 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 much_o less_o look_v upon_o as_o of_o sacramental_a and_o necessary_a obligation_n 3._o that_o auricular_a confession_n as_o it_o be_v now_o use_v in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v not_o only_o unnecessary_a and_o burdensome_a but_o in_o many_o respect_n very_o mischievous_a to_o piety_n and_o the_o great_a end_n of_o christian_a religion_n if_o the_o first_o of_o these_o appear_v to_o be_v true_a then_o at_o the_o worst_a the_o want_n of_o such_o a_o auricular_a confession_n in_o the_o reform_a church_n can_v be_v but_o a_o irregularity_n and_o no_o essential_a defect_n if_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