Article XXVOf Confession

p. 52 Confession in our churches is not abolished; 1 for it is not usual to give the Body of the Lord, except to them that have been previously examined and absolved. 2 And the people are most carefully taught concerning the faith and assurance of absolution, about which, before this time, there was profound silence. 3 Our people are taught that they should highly prize the absolution, as being the voice of God, and pronounced by His command. 4 The power of the Keys is commended, and we show what great consolation it brings to anxious consciences; that God requires faith to believe such absolution as a voice sounding from Heaven, and that such faith in Christ truly obtains and receives the forgiveness of sins.

Aforetime, satisfactions were immoderately extolled; 5 of faith and the merit of Christ, and the righteousness of faith, p. 53 no mention was made; wherefore, on this point, our churches are by no means to be blamed. 6 For this even our adversaries must needs concede to us, that the doctrine concerning repentance has been most diligently treated and laid open by our teachers.

7 (But of Confession, they teach, that an enumeration of sins is not necessary, and that consciences be not burdened with anxiety to enumerate all sins, for it is impossible to recount all sins, as the Psalm testifies [19:13]: “Who can understand his errors?”) (Also Jeremiah [17:9]: 8 “The heart is deceitful, who can know it?”) But if no sins were forgiven, 9 except those that are recounted, consciences could never find peace; for very many sins they neither see, nor can remember.

10 (The ancient writers also testify that an enumeration is not necessary.) 11 (For, in the Decrees, Chrysostom is quoted, who thus says: “I say not to thee, that thou shouldst disclose thyself in public, nor that thou accuse thyself before others, but I would have thee obey the prophet who says: ‘ Disclose thy way before God. ’ ) Therefore confess thy sins before God, the true Judge, with prayer. Tell thine errors, not with the tongue, but with the memory of thy conscience.” 12 And the Gloss (“Of Repentance,” Distinct. v, Cap. Consideret) admits that Confession of human right only. 13 Nevertheless, on account of the great benefit of absolution, and because it is otherwise useful to the conscience, Confession is retained among us.)