Of Confession

Müller makes of this a distinct part. Hase gives it as an Appendix to Part Four, Of Baptism. Francke entitles it “Introduction to Part Five.” This is the view of Walch, Introduction, p. 611 sqq.

p. 371 How plain questions should be taught concerning it.

What is Confession?

Answer. Confession consists of two parts: the one is, that we confess our sins; the other, that we receive absolution or forp. 372 giveness through the pastor as of God himself, in no wise doubting, but firmly believing that our sins are thus forgiven before God in heaven.

What sins ought we to confess?

Answer. In the presence of God we should acknowledge ourselves guilty of all manner of sins, even of those which we do not ourselves perceive; as we do in the Lord’s Prayer. But in the presence of the pastor we should confess those sins alone of which we have knowledge and which we feel in our hearts.

Which are these?

Answer. Here reflect in your condition, according to the Ten Commandments, namely: Whether you are a father or mother, a son or daughter, a master or mistress, a man-servant or maid-servant—whether you have been disobedient, unfaithful, slothful, whether you have injured any one by words or actions, whether you have stolen, neglected, or wasted aught, or done other evil.

Please show me a short way to confess.

Answer. You should speak to the confessor thus: Reverend and dear sir, I beseech you to hear my confession, and to announce to me forgiveness for God’s sake.

Say:

I, a poor sinner, confess before God that I am guilty of all sins; especially I confess before thee that I am a man-servant, a maid-servant, etc. But alas, I serve my master unfaithfully; for here and there I have not done what he told me; I have provoked him, and caused him to curse; I have neglected many things and let them go to waste; likewise, in words and deeds I have been immodest; I have been angry with my equals; I have grumbled and sworn at my wife. For all this I am sorry, and pray for grace: I mean to do better.

A master or mistress should say thus:

In particular I confess before thee that I have not been faithful in training my children, domestics and wife [family] for God’s glory. I have cursed. I have given a bad example by unchaste words and works. I have injured my neighbor. I have slandered, have overcharged and have given spurious goods and short measure.

And whatever more he has done in violation of God’s command and his station, etc. But if any one do not feel that he is oppressed by these or greater sins, he should not be anxious, or search for or devise other sins, and thereby make a torture out of confession,¹ but should mention one or two sins known

¹ Cf. Aug. Conf., xxv.: 7 sqq.; Apology, Art. xi. (iv.): 63, p. 166.

p. 373 to himself. Thus: In particular I confess that I once cursed. I once used immodest words. I have neglected this or that, etc. Let this suffice.

But if you know of none at all (which, however, is scarcely possible), mention none in particular, but receive the forgiveness after the general confession which you make before God to the minister.

Then the Confessor should say:

God be merciful unto thee and strengthen thy faith. Amen.

And again:

Dost thou believe that my forgiveness is the forgiveness of God?

Answer. Yes, dear sir.

Then let him say:

As thou believest, so be it done unto thee. And in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, I forgive to thee thy sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Depart in peace.

But those who have great burdens upon their consciences, or are distressed and tempted, a father confessor will know well how to console with passages of Scripture and to encourage them to faith. This should only serve as an ordinary form of confession for the uncultivated.