The forenamed Prerogative of God doth plainly show that Auricular confession, 1as Papists enjoin it, is not absolutely necessary. For they hold that a particular confession of all a mans sins which he can call to mind is necessarily to be made in the ear of a Priest,2 and that upon pain of damnation. We deny not a necessity of Confession. For without ⟨p. 154⟩confession of sin, no remission,e no absolution can be expected. But this absolute necessity must be applied to confession unto God, whose Prerogative it is to forgive sin. Yea further we acknowledge a necessity of confession to man: and that both publicly and privately: and both these either upon injunction by authority, or upon a mans own voluntary motion. Public confession is to be made of sins publicly committed, whereby public offence is given, or public detriment and damage made. In this casef Joshua enjoined Achan to confess his sin, and he confessed it. Becauseg Sapphira refused to make confession, being required of Peter to do it, she was suddenly struck with death?h They of Ephesus that had been notorious sinners voluntarily made public confession of their sins. Private confession is to be made also in three cases. 1. When one in authority requireth it, asi Elisha required his servant Gehazi to do it. 2. Whenk private wrong is done, or offence given to one. 3. When a sin burdeneth the conscience: on which groundl David made confession to Nathan: and Saint James exhorteth all Christians to confess their sins one to another, that so they may receive the more comfort by mutual prayer and direction. In this case choice must be made of such persons as are fit to have secrets made known to them, and able to help and ease a burdened conscience. Such are men of understanding, discretion, wisdom and experience, yea such as are faithful, and pitiful, and bear a loving heart toward the party that cometh to them for comfort. Among others, Ministers are in two respects most fit. 1. Because by their daily study and practise they are most acquainted with the temptations of Satan, dispositions of people, and consolations of Gods Word. 2. Because by virtue of their ministerial function,10 being Ambassadors for Christ, and having the ministry of reconciliation given to them, the patient may with more assuredness apply to his soul the promises which they pronounce.
THe forenamed Prerogatiue of God doth plainely shew that Auricular confession, 1as Papists enioyne it, is not absolutely necessarie. For they hold that a particular confession of all a mans sinnes which he can call to minde is necessarily to bee made in the eare of a Priest,2 and that vpon paine of damnation. We deny not a necessitie of Confession. For without ⟨p. 154⟩confession of sin, no remission,e no absolution can be expected. But this absolute necessitie must bee applied to confession vnto God, whose Prerogatiue it is to forgiue sinne. Yea further we acknowledge a necessitie of confession to man: and that both publikely and priuately: and both these either vpon iniunction by authoritie, or vpon a mans owne voluntarie motion. Publike confession is to be made of sinnes publikely committed, whereby publike offence is giuen, or publike detriment and damage made. In this casef Ioshua enioyned Achan to confesse his sinne, and he confessed it. Becauseg Saphira refused to make confession, being required of Peter to doe it, she was suddenly strucke with death?h They of Ephesus that had been notorious sinners voluntarily made publike confession of their sinnes. Priuate confession is to be made also in three cases. 1. When one in authoritie requireth it, asi Elisha required his seruant Gehazi to doe it. 2. Whenk priuate wrong is done, or offence giuen to one. 3. When a sinne burdeneth the conscience: on which grouudl Dauid made confession to Nathan: and Saint Iames exhorteth all Christians to confesse their sinnes one to another, that so they may receiue the more comfort by mutuall prayer and direction. In this case choise must be made of such persons as are fit to haue secrets made knowne to them, and able to helpe and ease a burthened conscience. Such are men of vnderstanding, discretion, wisedome and experience, yea such as are faithfull, and pitifull, and beare a louing heart toward the partie that commeth to them for comfort. Among others, Ministers are in two respects most fit. 1. Because by their dayly studie and practise they are most acquainted with the temptations of Satan, dispositions of people, and consolations of Gods Word. 2. Because by vertue of their ministeriall function,
- 1Auricular confession.
- 2Concil. Trid. §. 14. c. 5. Can. 6, 7, 8.
- ePro 28. 13. 1. Joh. 1. 8, 9.Pro 28. 13. 1. Ioh. 1. 8, 9.
- fJos, 19, 20.Ios, 19, 20.
- gAct. 5. 8, 9.
- hAct. 19. 18.
- i2. King. 5. 25.
- kMath. 5 24.
- l2. Sam. 12. 13. Jam. 5. 16.2. Sam. 12. 13. Iam. 5. 16.
- 102. Cor. 5. 18, 20.
