An abridgement of the Institution of Christian religion written

14 In these three kinds of confession, the power ⟨p. 163⟩of the keys taketh place*:¹ either when the whole Church craveth forgiveness with a solemn acknowledging of their offences: or when any private person, who hath by committing some notorious §1offence, offended the whole congregation, doth §2testify his repentance: or when he which by reason §3of unquietness of his conscience doth need the help of the minister, doth disclose to him his infirmity. But when we speak of the keys we must beware that we do not dream of any power separate from the preaching of the Gospel.²

14 In these three kindes of confession, the power ⟨p. 163⟩of the keyes taketh place*:¹ either when the whole Churche craueth forgiuenesse with a solemne acknowledging of their offences: or when anie priuate person, who hath by committing some notorious §1offence, offended the whole congregation, doth §2testifie his repentaunce: or when he which by reason §3of vnquietnesse of his conscience doth need the helpe of the minister, doth disclose to him his infirmitie. But when we speake of the keies we must beware that wee doe not dreame of anie power separate from the preaching of the Gospell.²

1. 1Mat. 18.19.