A Golden Chain

That confession may be rightly performed, a notable duty is to be put in practise in it: namely, the arraignment of a repentant sinner, whereby he judges himself, that he may not be judged of the Lord.

That confession may be rightly performed, a notable dutie is to be put in practise in it: namely, the arraignment of a repentant sinner, whereby he iudges himselfe, that he may not be iudged of the Lord.

This arraignment hath three special points in it. First of all, he must bring ⟨p. 751⟩himself forth to the bar of Gods judgement: which thing he doth when he sets himself in the presence of God, as though even now the day of judgement were. As S. Hierome did, who always thought with himself that he heard this voice sounding in his ears, Rise ye dead and come to judgement.

This arraignment hath three speciall points in it. First of all, he must bring ⟨p. 751⟩himselfe forth to the barre of Gods iudgement: which thing he doth when he sets himselfe in the presence of God, as though euen now the day of iudgement were. As S. Hierome did, who alwaies thought with himselfe that he heard this voice sounding in his eares, Rise ye dead and come to iudgement.

Secondly, he must put up an indictment against himself; by accusing himself before God, by acknowledging his known sins particularly, and his unknown generally, without any excuse or extenuation, or defence, or hiding of the least of them. Example of David.¹