a_o form_n of_o reconciliation_n of_o lapse_v protestant_n and_o of_o admission_n of_o romanist_n to_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ireland_n write_a by_o the_o right_n reverend_a father_n in_o god_n anthony_n lord_n bishop_n of_o meath_z dublin_n print_v and_o be_v to_o be_v sell_v by_o andrew_n crook_n at_o their_o majesty_n printing-house_n on_o ormonde-key_n and_o by_o eliphal_n dobson_n aâ—_n the_o stationers-arm_n in_o castlestreet_n 1601._o a_o form_n of_o reconciliation_n etc._n etc._n there_o be_v never_o any_o signal_n deliverance_n afford_v by_o god_n almighty_a to_o his_o church_n but_o as_o it_o prove_v a_o occasion_n of_o great_a piety_n to_o the_o devout_a and_o sincere_a christian_a so_o it_o stir_v up_o a_o desire_n in_o such_o as_o be_v either_o it_o be_v open_a enemy_n or_o disguise_v friend_n to_o join_v themselves_o in_o external_a communion_n with_o the_o true_a member_n of_o the_o church_n when_o they_o be_v deliver_v from_o their_o oppression_n thus_o we_o read_v of_o a_o mix_a multitude_n that_o join_v themselves_o 2._o to_o the_o jew_n and_o go_v up_o with_o they_o out_o of_o the_o land_n of_o egypt_n these_o certain_o be_v no_o other_o than_o some_o of_o the_o egyptian_n and_o other_o nation_n who_o have_v see_v the_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o moses_n and_o be_v convince_v by_o they_o that_o they_o must_v needs_o be_v the_o people_n of_o god_n in_o who_o favour_n so_o many_o amaze_a prodigy_n have_v be_v effect_v think_v it_o their_o wise_a course_n to_o forsake_v the_o idolatry_n of_o egypt_n and_o join_v themselves_o with_o the_o professor_n of_o the_o true_a religion_n thus_o the_o samaritan_n that_o disclaim_v all_o friendship_n and_o alliance_n 5._o with_o the_o jew_n in_o the_o time_n c._n of_o their_o distress_n do_v notwithstanding_o court_v and_o implore_v their_o favour_n pretend_v to_o be_v of_o the_o of_o the_o same_o religion_n and_o communion_n with_o they_o when_o they_o be_v restore_v to_o the_o liberty_n of_o their_o religion_n and_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o their_o property_n in_o their_o own_o country_n and_o it_o 54_o be_v foretell_v by_o the_o prophet_n isaiah_n that_o their_o deliverance_n out_o of_o captivity_n shall_v be_v so_o wonderful_a to_o the_o heathen_a nation_n round_o about_o they_o that_o it_o shall_v invite_v vast_a number_n of_o they_o to_o join_v themselves_o to_o their_o communion_n and_o what_o be_v thus_o foretell_v so_o long_o before_o their_o return_n out_o of_o the_o babylonish_n captivity_n do_v according_o come_v to_o pass_v after_o their_o deliverance_n for_o many_o of_o the_o nation_n that_o before_o be_v their_o 2._o enemy_n do_v declare_v themselves_o in_o favour_n of_o they_o and_o desire_v to_o be_v admit_v to_o their_o communion_n and_o as_o it_o happen_v thus_o with_o the_o jew_n before_o the_o come_n of_o our_o saviour_n it_o be_v so_o likewise_o with_o the_o christian_a church_n after_o it_o for_o 300_o year_n she_o enjoy_v little_a of_o delight_n or_o quiet_a in_o the_o world_n and_o few_o or_o none_o embrace_v her_o religion_n but_o those_o that_o do_v it_o on_o a_o pure_a principle_n of_o conscience_n without_o any_o regard_n to_o secular_a profit_n or_o advantage_n but_o when_o king_n and_o prince_n become_v nurse_v father_n to_o the_o church_n and_o encourage_v the_o religion_n by_o make_v law_n for_o its_o security_n and_o countenance_v the_o professor_n of_o it_o by_o large_a privilege_n and_o promotion_n in_o church_n and_o state_n then_o many_o of_o the_o heathen_n flock_v to_o its_o communion_n and_o embrace_v the_o profession_n of_o it_o not_o because_o they_o love_v it_o better_o than_o their_o own_o but_o because_o they_o see_v it_o enjoy_v the_o countenance_n of_o the_o state_n and_o find_v it_o the_o ready_a way_n to_o those_o honour_n and_o advantage_n which_o they_o know_v they_o must_v want_v in_o the_o profession_n of_o their_o own_o this_o have_v be_v the_o state_n and_o condition_n of_o the_o church_n in_o former_a age_n we_o have_v reason_n to_o believe_v will_v be_v again_o the_o consequent_a of_o that_o great_a deliverance_n that_o god_n have_v afford_v she_o in_o this_o kingdom_n it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o presume_v that_o those_o who_o never_o be_v of_o her_o communion_n as_o well_o as_o those_o who_o apostatise_v from_o it_o will_v be_v desirous_a to_o be_v receive_v into_o her_o communion_n the_o latter_a out_o of_o a_o principle_n of_o shame_n and_o sorrow_n and_o the_o former_a out_o of_o desperation_n as_o be_v out_o of_o all_o hope_n of_o see_v their_o religion_n to_o flourish_v again_o among_o we_o especial_o since_o it_o receive_v so_o remarkable_a a_o disappointment_n at_o a_o time_n when_o they_o flatter_v themselves_o with_o the_o hope_n of_o a_o entire_a establishment_n of_o it_o and_o because_o it_o be_v fit_a that_o some_o penance_n shall_v be_v impose_v on_o those_o that_o forsake_v we_o in_o time_n of_o danger_n as_o well_o as_o a_o method_n propound_v for_o the_o admission_n of_o those_o that_o never_o be_v of_o our_o communion_n that_o so_o the_o former_a may_v be_v bring_v to_o a_o due_a sense_n of_o their_o sin_n and_o danger_n and_o the_o latter_a encourage_v to_o continue_v in_o our_o communion_n i_o shall_v therefore_o presume_v to_o offer_v my_o thought_n upon_o this_o point_n and_o lay_v down_o such_o a_o scheme_n for_o the_o admission_n of_o they_o both_o as_o may_v serve_v the_o present_a necessity_n of_o the_o church_n till_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o convocation_n shall_v prescribe_v another_o in_o its_o stead_n in_o order_n to_o this_o i_o shall_v consider_v first_o what_o the_o ancient_a discipline_n of_o the_o church_n be_v in_o receive_v penitent_n that_o have_v fall_v from_o she_o 2_o how_o far_o that_o discipline_n be_v at_o present_a practicable_a 3_o what_o method_n be_v most_o proper_a to_o be_v use_v for_o the_o admission_n of_o papist_n or_o the_o reconcile_n of_o apostate_n in_o the_o handle_n of_o the_o first_o head_n i_o do_v not_o design_n to_o insist_v penitent_n upon_o all_o the_o particular_n of_o the_o ancient_a discipline_n of_o penance_n for_o that_o will_v be_v a_o laborious_a and_o voluminous_a work_n but_o shall_v only_o mention_v such_o branch_n of_o it_o as_o may_v be_v serviceable_a to_o my_o present_a design_n and_o in_o order_n to_o that_o i_o consider_v first_o that_o there_o be_v peculiar_a 56_o place_n appoint_v for_o the_o penitent_n and_o catechuman_n in_o the_o church_n some_o difference_n indeed_o there_o be_v in_o the_o number_n of_o they_o for_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a and_o ancyra_n mention_v only_o three_o because_o they_o do_v not_o esteem_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o weeper_n to_o be_v any_o order_n of_o penitent_n but_o rather_o as_o candidate_n and_o expectant_n of_o it_o and_o according_o they_o be_v say_v by_o tertullian_n to_o be_v in_o vestibulo_fw-la panitentiae_fw-la rather_o in_o the_o way_n and_o passage_n to_o it_o than_o reckon_v up_o as_o a_o distinct_a order_n of_o they_o but_o the_o great_a st._n basiil_n take_v notice_n of_o four_o viz._n the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d &_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d weeper_n hearer_n prostrate_v and_o consistent_n and_o so_o do_v balsamon_n in_o his_o note_n on_o the_o council_n of_o neocaesaria_n to_o these_o greg._n thaumatur_fw-la gus_fw-la add_v a_o five_o order_n that_o of_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o communicant_n though_o they_o can_v proper_o be_v reckon_v any_o order_n of_o penitent_n but_o shall_v rather_o be_v esteem_v as_o person_n that_o have_v perform_v their_o penance_n and_o so_o be_v admit_v to_o a_o entire_a communion_n with_o the_o church_n but_o notwithstanding_o this_o difference_n in_o the_o number_n it_o be_v agree_v on_o all_o hand_n that_o there_o be_v several_a place_n appoint_v for_o the_o several_a order_n of_o penitent_n these_o place_n and_o station_n be_v introduce_v into_o the_o continue_v church_n long_o before_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a or_o constantine_n the_o great_a be_v time_n as_o may_v appear_v by_o the_o dispute_v between_o the_o novatian_o and_o the_o catholic_n concern_v the_o reception_n of_o the_o lapsi_fw-la and_o the_o story_n of_o philip_n the_o emperor_n in_o eusebius_n who_o 34._o tell_v we_o that_o the_o bishop_n will_v not_o admit_v he_o to_o enter_v into_o the_o church_n before_o he_o have_v make_v a_o confession_n of_o his_o sin_n and_o stand_v in_o the_o place_n of_o penitent_n and_o it_o be_v plain_a by_o the_o forementioned_a canon_n of_o nice_a that_o it_o rather_o suppose_v they_o as_o thing_n of_o long_a use_n and_o practice_n in_o the_o church_n then_o prescribe_v any_o new_a rule_n or_o direction_n about_o they_o and_o as_o they_o be_v introduce_v very_o early_o into_o the_o church_n so_o they_o continue_v in_o practice_n much_o long_o
in_o the_o western_a than_o the_o eastern_a church_n for_o the_o three_o first_o be_v abrogate_a in_o the_o five_o century_n soon_o after_o the_o day_n of_o nectarius_n patriarch_n of_o constantinople_n but_o they_o continue_v in_o the_o western_a church_n till_o the_o nine_o century_n as_o may_v appear_v by_o the_o capitular_o of_o charles_n the_o 71._o great_a after_o which_o time_n the_o discipline_n of_o penance_n beginning_n to_o be_v relax_v the_o station_n of_o the_o penitent_n decay_v with_o it_o 2_o that_o the_o place_n for_o the_o be_v weeper_n be_v in_o the_o church-porch_n without_o the_o door_n of_o the_o church_n the_o place_n for_o the_o hearer_n be_v at_o the_o further_a end_n of_o the_o narthex_n the_o place_n for_o the_o prostrate_a within_o the_o body_n of_o the_o church_n but_o before_o the_o ambon_n the_o pulpit_n or_o read_v desk_n and_o that_o for_o the_o consistent_n before_o the_o choir_n or_o chancel_n this_o will_v be_v more_o evident_a by_o apply_v proof_n out_o out_o of_o ancient_a writer_n to_o each_o of_o these_o particular_n first_o then_o for_o the_o place_n of_o the_o weeper_n we_o have_v the_o testimony_n of_o greg._n 11_o thaumaturgus_n and_o st._n basil_n the_o former_a of_o who_o tell_v we_o that_o it_o be_v without_o the_o door_n of_o the_o oratory_n where_o the_o penitent_a stand_v and_o beseech_v the_o â—â—ithful_a to_o pray_v for_o he_o and_o the_o latter_a 75_o say_v that_o they_o be_v to_o stand_v without_o the_o door_n of_o the_o church_n and_o confess_v their_o sin_n and_o desire_v the_o prayer_n of_o the_o faithful_a in_o their_o behalf_n the_o hearer_n place_n for_o the_o hearer_n be_v at_o the_o hither_o end_n of_o the_o narthex_n or_o the_o entry_n into_o the_o church_n which_o whether_o it_o be_v within_o or_o without_o the_o church_n be_v not_o much_o material_a to_o my_o present_a purpose_n it_o be_v only_o incumbent_a on_o i_o to_o make_v good_a that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o peculiar_a determine_a place_n appoint_v for_o this_o order_n of_o penitent_n perhaps_o that_o controversy_n be_v easy_o reconcile_v by_o adjust_v the_o several_a notion_n of_o the_o ancient_n concern_v the_o word_n ecclesia_fw-la which_o some_o extend_v not_o only_o to_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d but_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d also_o and_o include_v the_o nave_n or_o body_n of_o the_o church_n under_o the_o word_n ecclesia_fw-la and_o then_o it_o must_v be_v grant_v that_o the_o narthex_n be_v within_o the_o church_n and_o a_o part_n of_o it_o but_o other_o take_v the_o word_n ecclesia_fw-la in_o a_o more_o restrain_a sense_n as_o include_v only_o the_o nave_n or_o body_n of_o the_o church_n where_o the_o faithful_a do_v assemble_v to_o prayer_n and_o the_o sacrament_n and_o then_o the_o narthex_n be_v no_o part_n of_o it_o but_o must_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v a_o part_n without_o it_o however_o let_v that_o controversy_n lie_v as_o it_o will_v i_o be_o only_o concern_v to_o prove_v that_o the_o narthex_n be_v the_o place_n or_o station_n of_o the_o hearer_n and_o by_o the_o narthex_n i_o mean_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o forepart_n or_o first_o entry_n into_o the_o church_n extend_v from_o the_o west_n door_n till_o you_o come_v to_o the_o pulpit_n of_o which_o we_o have_v some_o footstep_n remain_v in_o the_o two_o cathedral_n of_o the_o holy_a trinity_n &_o st._n patrick_n dublin_n in_o each_o of_o which_o there_o be_v a_o stone_n pulpit_n fix_v about_o the_o middle_n of_o the_o nave_n or_o body_n of_o the_o church_n now_o the_o narthex_n will_v contain_v all_o that_o part_n of_o the_o church_n that_o reach_v from_o the_o great_a west_n door_n till_o you_o come_v near_o the_o stone_n pulpit_n and_o here_o ancient_o the_o catechuman_n and_o daemoniack_n and_o the_o hearer_n have_v their_o station_n the_o place_n before_o the_o pulpit_n which_o ancient_o be_v fix_v in_o the_o middle_n of_o the_o nave_n though_o now_o remove_v to_o the_o wall_n be_v the_o place_n of_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o the_o prostrate_a and_o from_o thence_o to_o the_o choir_n or_o chancel_n be_v the_o place_n of_o the_o faithful_a or_o consistent_n where_o they_o stand_v to_o hear_v the_o word_n &_o prey_n and_o from_o thence_o forward_o be_v the_o chancel_n call_v by_o the_o ancient_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d now_o that_o the_o narthex_n be_v the_o place_n of_o the_o hearer_n be_v plain_a from_o the_o testimony_n 11._o of_o greg._n thaumatur_fw-la gus_fw-la who_o say_v that_o the_o station_n of_o hearer_n be_v within_o the_o door_n in_o the_o narthex_n where_o they_o be_v to_o stand_v till_o the_o catechuman_n be_v dismiss_v and_o then_o to_o go_v out_o with_o they_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n be_v the_o word_n of_o balsamon_n and_o zonaras_n and_o gabriel_n the_o metropolitan_a of_o 10._o philadelphia_n affirm_v that_o the_o place_n of_o hearer_n be_v within_o the_o door_n of_o the_o church_n viz._n in_o the_o narthex_n where_o the_o hearer_n stand_v and_o communicate_v in_o the_o hymn_n and_o read_n of_o the_o scripture_n the_o place_n for_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d prostrate_a or_o prostrate_a be_v behind_o the_o ambon_n or_o the_o read_n desk_n all_o the_o scholiast_n on_o the_o codex_fw-la canonum_fw-la agree_v on_o this_o as_o balsamon_n and_o zondras_n aristenus_n and_o math._n blastares_n balsamon_n place_v it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 5._o behind_o the_o read_n desk_n zonaras_n and_o aristenus_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o hind_a part_n of_o it_o and_o blastares_n affirm_v 6._o it_o be_v within_o the_o church_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d but_o behind_o the_o ambon_n and_o that_o they_o go_v out_o of_o the_o church_n with_o the_o catechuman_n when_o the_o deacon_n pronounce_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o last_o place_n for_o the_o consistent_n be_v between_o the_o faithfu_n read_n desk_n and_o the_o chancel_n though_o not_o without_o some_o distinction_n of_o place_n between_o they_o and_o the_o faithful_a that_o be_v not_o under_o the_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n this_o be_v plain_a not_o only_o from_o the_o aforementioned_a canon_n of_o nice_a and_o ancyra_n but_o from_o the_o annotation_n of_o the_o scholiast_n upon_o they_o which_o we_o do_v all_o place_n they_o in_o the_o same_o rank_n and_o station_n with_o the_o faithful_a and_o allow_v they_o the_o same_o privilege_n with_o they_o except_o the_o participation_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n and_o the_o liberty_n of_o bring_v their_o offering_n to_o the_o holy_a table_n 3_o that_o those_o several_a they_o order_n of_o penitent_n be_v not_o only_o distinguish_v from_o the_o faithful_a in_o their_o place_n but_o also_o in_o their_o habit_n in_o the_o form_n of_o prayer_n that_o be_v use_v for_o they_o and_o in_o the_o time_n of_o their_o departure_n out_o of_o the_o church_n the_o several_a writer_n on_o the_o discipline_n of_o 8._o penance_n do_v take_v notice_n of_o a_o distinct_a habit_n that_o they_o be_v to_o put_v on_o during_o the_o time_n of_o their_o penance_n which_o by_o some_o be_v call_v sordida_fw-la vestis_fw-la by_o other_o lugubris_fw-la atra_fw-la &_o pullata_fw-la by_o other_o velamen_fw-la paenitentiae_fw-la &_o habitus_fw-la religiosus_fw-la to_o these_o other_o require_v as_o necessary_a sign_n of_o contrition_n tear_n in_o their_o eye_n and_o sadness_n in_o their_o countenance_n shave_v of_o the_o hair_n and_o lie_v on_o the_o ground_n the_o putting_z sackcloth_n on_o their_o body_n and_o ash_n on_o their_o head_n and_o all_o for_o this_o end_n and_o purpose_n that_o it_o may_v be_v know_v to_o all_o person_n that_o they_o be_v under_o the_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n and_o that_o they_o may_v prove_v by_o these_o test_n whether_o they_o be_v sincere_a in_o their_o reformation_n if_o any_o deny_v to_o undergo_v these_o severity_n they_o look_v upon_o he_o as_o a_o hypocrite_n and_o a_o person_n unquallify_v for_o their_o communion_n beside_o they_o be_v distinguish_v ephesios_fw-gr from_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o people_n in_o the_o time_n and_o manof_a their_o departure_n out_o of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o form_n of_o prayer_n and_o benediction_n that_o be_v use_v over_o they_o for_o as_o soon_o as_o the_o hymn_n be_v sing_v and_o the_o scripture_n read_v and_o the_o sermon_n finish_v the_o hearer_n be_v dismiss_v and_o then_o the_o door_n be_v shut_v &_o the_o catechuman_n be_v pray_v for_o and_o when_o that_o prayer_n be_v finish_v the_o catechuman_n be_v dismiss_v and_o then_o the_o penitent_n come_v under_o discipline_n and_o as_o soon_o as_o they_o have_v kneel_v down_o and_o some_o certain_a prayer_n be_v offer_v up_o in_o their_o behalf_n and_o the_o bishop_n or_o presbyter_n have_v lay_v his_o hand_n on_o they_o than_o they_o be_v dismiss_v
out_o of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o door_n be_v shut_v again_o and_o then_o the_o faithful_a proceed_v to_o the_o second_o service_n and_o the_o participation_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n these_o thing_n be_v so_o plain_o set_v down_o in_o the_o synod_n of_o laodicea_n and_o in_o those_o author_n that_o have_v give_v we_o a_o account_n of_o the_o manner_n and_o order_n of_o the_o service_n of_o the_o church_n that_o i_o need_v not_o insist_v any_o further_a on_o they_o 4_o confession_n of_o their_o sin_n require_v be_v also_o require_v of_o they_o according_a to_o the_o nature_n and_o quality_n of_o it_o and_o this_o be_v judge_v so_o necessary_a a_o part_n of_o their_o repentance_n and_o so_o sure_a a_o sign_n of_o the_o sincerity_n of_o their_o sorrow_n that_o without_o it_o no_o one_o can_v receive_v the_o benefit_n of_o absolution_n the_o ancient_a canon_n indeed_o take_v notice_n of_o two_o sort_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o confession_n the_o one_o before_o the_o penance_n be_v impose_v and_o this_o be_v do_v either_o in_o private_a to_o the_o bishop_n or_o in_o public_a in_o the_o church_n as_o the_o bishop_n shall_v direct_v the_o other_o after_o the_o penance_n be_v perform_v the_o former_a of_o these_o be_v look_v on_o as_o necessary_a to_o free_v the_o church_n from_o the_o guilt_n and_o the_o scandal_n of_o public_a sin_n and_o in_o the_o case_n of_o private_a one_o it_o be_v require_v as_o a_o mean_n to_o bring_v the_o sinner_n to_o a_o more_o due_a sense_n and_o conviction_n of_o their_o fault_n thus_o tertullian_n commend_v it_o 9_o to_o the_o penitent_a as_o a_o thing_n high_o available_a to_o repentance_n for_o he_o call_v it_o prosternendi_fw-la &_o humilificandi_fw-la hominis_fw-la disciplina_fw-la and_o say_v that_o it_o be_v the_o parent_n of_o repentance_n and_o dispose_v the_o penitent_a for_o pardon_n and_o forgiveness_n and_o st._n cyprian_n in_o his_o account_n of_o the_o proceed_n with_o the_o penitent_n tell_v we_o that_o by_o outward_a gesture_n and_o token_n they_o show_v themselves_o to_o be_v sorrowful_a for_o their_o sin_n and_o then_o make_v a_o humble_a confession_n of_o they_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 they_o this_o be_v also_o the_o 37._o practice_n in_o origen_n time_n and_o we_o have_v a_o ample_a account_n of_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o church_n in_o this_o particular_a out_o of_o sozomen_n where_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o 16._o it_o be_v the_o custom_n at_o first_o for_o the_o penitent_n to_o confess_v their_o sin_n in_o public_a that_o afterward_o to_o consult_v the_o modesty_n of_o the_o penitent_n and_o because_o it_o be_v think_v a_o little_a to_o severe_a to_o make_v the_o congregation_n privy_a to_o their_o sin_n there_o be_v a_o peculiar_a penitentiary_n appoint_v to_o receive_v their_o confession_n that_o this_o office_n be_v after_o abolish_v by_o nectarius_n upon_o the_o occasion_n of_o a_o crime_n confess_v by_o a_o penitent_a that_o they_o who_o be_v conscious_a to_o themselves_o of_o have_v offend_v do_v fall_v down_o flat_a upon_o the_o the_o ground_n with_o weeping_z and_o lamentation_n etc._n etc._n in_o the_o church_n and_o then_o 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 in_o token_n of_o sorrow_n and_o compassion_n the_o whole_a congregation_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n sympathize_v with_o they_o both_o and_o express_v their_o compassion_n with_o tear_n and_o sorrow_n it_o will_v be_v a_o endless_a thing_n to_o transcribe_v all_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o primitive_a writer_n to_o this_o purpose_n i_o shall_v therefore_o only_o mention_v two_o particular_n that_o be_v a_o plain_a evidence_n of_o it_o the_o first_o be_v that_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o confession_n be_v frequent_o use_v by_o ecclesiastical_a writter_n for_o the_o whole_a action_n of_o repentance_n and_o this_o be_v so_o common_a in_o the_o greek_a and_o latin_a father_n in_o ireneus_fw-la &_o st._n basil_n tertullian_n st._n cyprian_n pacianus_n and_o other_o that_o the_o crafty_a sophister_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n make_v use_n of_o it_o as_o a_o argument_n to_o prove_v their_o new_a doctrine_n of_o auricular_a confession_n and_o wherever_o they_o find_v the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o confessio_fw-la mention_v they_o do_v not_o so_o much_o inquire_v into_o the_o genuine_a sense_n of_o the_o word_n as_o force_v it_o into_o a_o proof_n for_o the_o practice_n of_o their_o church_n in_o this_o particular_a now_o to_o i_o it_o be_v a_o plain_a evidence_n that_o confession_n of_o sin_n in_o public_a be_v esteem_v a_o necessary_a part_n or_o principal_a ingredient_n of_o repentance_n because_o it_o can_v give_v a_o dinomination_n to_o the_o whole_a action_n and_o make_v the_o discipline_n of_o repentance_n to_o pass_v under_o that_o name_n 2_o that_o the_o romish_a doctrine_n of_o auricular_a confession_n have_v be_v superstruct_v upon_o this_o foundation_n for_o it_o be_v realy_a nothing_o else_o but_o the_o public_a exomologesis_fw-la reduce_v to_o ash_n and_o spring_v up_o in_o the_o church_n out_o of_o its_o ruin_n and_o as_o a_o late_a 4._o excellent_a author_n say_v it_o be_v the_o relic_n of_o that_o excellent_a discipline_n of_o ecclesiastcal_a repentance_n which_o be_v in_o some_o case_n necessary_a in_o very_a many_o useful_a until_o by_o the_o dissolution_n of_o manner_n it_o become_v unsufferable_a and_o a_o big_a scandal_n than_o those_o which_o it_o do_v intend_v to_o remedy_n 5_o that_o during_o the_o time_n of_o their_o ecclesiastical_a penance_n enjoin_v they_o be_v require_v to_o fast_v there_o be_v none_o of_o the_o ancient_a writer_n on_o the_o discipline_n of_o penance_n but_o among_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o austerity_n that_o be_v practise_v by_o the_o penitent_n do_v mention_v this_o of_o fast_v as_o a_o principal_a part_n of_o it_o sometime_o under_o the_o notion_n of_o jejunium_fw-la sometime_o under_o the_o term_n of_o cibus_fw-la siccus_fw-la and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o this_o will_v be_v evident_a if_o we_o consider_v the_o several_a period_n of_o the_o church_n and_o deduce_v the_o history_n of_o fast_v and_o the_o practice_n of_o it_o through_o they_o from_o whence_o it_o will_v appear_v that_o though_o it_o be_v always_o continue_v as_o a_o part_n of_o the_o penitential_a discipline_n yet_o it_o admit_v of_o different_a degree_n both_o as_o to_o the_o manner_n of_o fast_v and_o the_o time_n of_o it_o 9_o for_o the_o three_o first_o century_n we_o only_o read_v of_o fast_v in_o general_a without_o determine_v the_o nature_n of_o it_o or_o the_o time_n how_o long_o or_o the_o kind_n of_o meat_n that_o be_v to_o be_v abstain_v from_o and_o where_o there_o be_v any_o mention_n of_o the_o time_n of_o perform_v it_o it_o be_v rare_o extend_v beyond_o seven_o week_n at_o most_o the_o incestuous_a 2._o corint_n hian_n mention_v in_o st._n paul_n who_o be_v the_o first_o instance_n of_o the_o church_n severity_n in_o her_o censure_n and_o of_o her_o indulgence_n in_o the_o relaxation_n of_o they_o do_v not_o continue_v above_o a_o year_n under_o that_o discipline_n if_o we_o may_v be_v permit_v to_o draw_v any_o argument_n from_o the_o distance_n of_o time_n between_o the_o write_n of_o the_o two_o epistle_n and_o the_o 23._o young_a man_n reclaim_v by_o st._n john_n from_o the_o society_n of_o robber_n be_v not_o above_o a_o month_n or_o two_o at_o most_o under_o the_o severity_n of_o it_o and_o it_o be_v plain_a from_o that_o story_n and_o several_a passage_n in_o tertullian_n and_o st._n cyprian_n where_o they_o describe_v lapsis_fw-la the_o manner_n and_o order_n of_o this_o discipline_n that_o there_o be_v only_a mention_n of_o tear_n and_o fast_v of_o sackcloth_n and_o ash_n and_o prostration_n on_o the_o ground_n of_o cibus_fw-la siccus_fw-la and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o cibus_fw-la and_o potus_fw-la purus_fw-la without_o any_o determination_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o fast_a or_o the_o time_n of_o its_o continuance_n in_o the_o four_o century_n as_o the_o time_n of_o the_o penance_n be_v make_v more_o tedious_a so_o the_o time_n of_o fast_v be_v enlarge_v with_o it_o and_o that_o fast_v confine_v to_o a_o spare_a diet_n and_o a_o abstinence_n from_o some_o particular_a meat_n we_o read_v in_o the_o can._n council_n that_o be_v call_v and_o the_o father_n that_o write_v within_o this_o century_n of_o penance_n impose_v for_o 5._o 7._o 10_o 12._o 20._o 30_o year_n according_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o crime_n that_o the_o penitent_n have_v be_v guilty_a of_o and_o because_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o man_n to_o fast_o so_o long_o from_o all_o manner_n of_o food_n we_o be_v therefore_o to_o presume_v that_o their_o fast_n do_v consist_v rather_o