back . . . up . . . next
Article XXV: Of Confession.
Confession in the churches is not abolished among us; for it is not usual to give the body of the
Lord, except to them that have been previously examined and absolved. And the people are most carefully taught concerning faith in the absolution, about which formerly there was profound silence. Our people are taught that they should highly prize the
absolution, as being the voice of God, and pronounced by God's command. The power of the Keys is set forth in its beauty and they are reminded what great consolation it brings to anxious
consciences, also, 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; of faith and the merit of Christ and the
righteousness of
faith no mention was made; wherefore, on this point, our churches are by no means to be blamed. 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.
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: The heart is
deceitful; who can know it; But if no sins were forgiven, except those that are
recounted, consciences could never find peace; for very many sins they neither
see nor can
remember. The ancient writers also testify that an enumeration is not necessary. For in the
Decrees,
Chrysostom is quoted, who says thus: I say not to you that you should disclose yourself in public, nor that you accuse yourself before others, but I would have you obey the prophet who says: "Disclose thy self before God." Therefore confess your sins before God, the true Judge, with prayer. Tell your errors, not with the tongue, but with the
memory of your
conscience, etc. And the Gloss (Of Repentance, Distinct. V, Cap. Consideret) admits that
Confession is of human right only
not commanded by Scripture, but ordained by the Church. Nevertheless, on account of the great benefit of absolution, and because it is otherwise useful to the conscience, Confession is retained among us.