The Institution of Christian Religion

For it is as much as to say, I have not the word of God the sure rule of loosing, but there is power given me to loose thee, if thy deservings be so. We see therefore what they meant, when they defined the keys to be the authority of discerning, and power of executing: and that knowledge is adjoined for a counsellor, and like a counsellor serveth for a good use: undoubtedly even they desired to reign at their own will, licentiously, without God and his word.

For it is asmuche as to saye, I haue not the worde of God the sure rule of loosyng, but there is power geuen me to loose thee, yf thy deseruynges be so. We see therfore what they meant, when they defined the keyes to be the authoritie of discernyng, and power of executyng: and that knowledge is adioyned for a counseller, and like a counseller serueth for a good vse: vndoubtedly euen they desired to reygne at theyr owne will, licentiously, without God and his worde.

If any man take exception and say, that the lawful ministers of §22Christ shall be no less doubtful in their office, because the absolution that hangeth upon faith shall alway remain doubtful: and then that sinners shall have either none or a cold comfort, because the minister himself which is no competent judge of their faith, can not be assured of their absolution: we have answer thereunto in readiness. For they say that no sins are forgiven by the priest, but such whereof himself hath ben the hearer: so by their opinion, the forgiveness hangeth upon the judgement of the priest, and if he do not wisely discern who be worthy of pardon, the whole doing is void and of no effect. Finally the power whereof they speak, is a jurisdiction adjoined to examination, whereunto pardon and absolution is restrained. In this point is found no sure ground, but rather it is a bottomless depth. For where the confession is not found, the hope of pardon is also lame, and then the priest himself must needs stick in suspense while he can not tell, whether the sinner do faithfully reckon up all his evil deeds. Finally (such is the ignorance and rudeness of priests) the most part are no fitter to do this office, than a shoemaker is to plough the ground, and the rest in a manner all ought worthily to suspect themselves. Hereupon therefore riseth the perplexity and doubtfulness of the Popes absolution, because they will have it grounded upon the person of the priest, and not only that, but also upon knowledge, that he may judge only of things informed, examined and proved. Now if a man should ask of these good doctors, whether a sinner be reconciled to God, when some sins are forgiven: I see not what they have to answer, but that they shall be compelled to confess that all is unprofitable, that the priest pronounceth of the forgiveness of those sins that he hath heard rehearsed, so long as the other sins are not delivered from condemnation. On the behalf of him that confesseth how hurtful carefulness holdeth his conscience bound, appeareth hereby, that when he resteth upon the priests discretion, as they call it, he can determine nothing certainly by the word