The Confession of the Faith of the Germans

Good men may easily judge, that it is very profitable and necessary, that the true doctrine be kept concerning the parts a•ovenamed, that is to wit concerning contrition and faith. Therefore in setting forth of these places we have always most busied our selves, and as for confession and satisfaction, we have not greatly contended nor striven For we also do retain & keep still confession, and specially because of absolution which is the word of god / because the power of the keys by the authority of god doth pronounce and give sentence of every thing. Wherefore it should be a wicked deed to take away private absolution out of the church. Neither do they perceive and understand what is remission of sins, or what is the power of the keys: who soever they be that do despise and take away private absolution. But concerning the rehearsal and reckoning up of since particularly by name in confession: we have said before, that we do not think it necessary by the law of god.¹ For where as certain men do object, that a Judge ought first to know the matter before that he do give sentence: this objection ⟨image 120⟩is nothing to this purpose.² For absolution is but the execution of the benefit given by an other, and not a judgement. For Christ gave charge and commandment to forgive since. This commandment the ministers do execute. They have no commandment of knowing the since, that be secrete. This thing may well be perceived hereof, because they forgive innumerable since, which they them selves do never remember, to whom they be forgiven. And if remission should hang upon the knowledge of sins: then all the matter should be uncertain and doubtful. But in those since which be openly known what manner jurisdiction the church hath: that belongeth not to thꝭ present disputation. For these, because they be open and known, they be accused by name / and afterwards be forgiven by name, if the doer of them will be received again of the church. And it is a foolishness to apply unto this matter the saying of Solomon, which is this. Diligenter cognosce vultum pecoris tui .i. Know diligently the face of thy cattail.³

GOod men may easely iudge, that it is verie profitable and necessary, that the true doctrine be kepte concernynge the partes aouenamed, that is to wete concernyng contrition and faythe. Therfore in settynge forthe of these places we haue alwayes most busied our selues, and as for confession and satisfaction, we haue nat greatly cōtended nor striuen For we also do retayne & kepe styll confession, and specially because of absolution whiche is the worde of god / because the power of the keyes by the auctoritie of god dothe pronoūce and gyue sētence of euery thīg. Wherfore it shulde be a wycked dede to take away priuate absolucion out of the churche. Neyther do they perceyue and vnderstande what is remission of sīnes, or what is the power of the keyes: who soeuer they be that do despyse and take away priuate absolution. But cōcernyng the rehersall and reckenyng vp of synnes particularly by name in confession: we haue sayde before, that we do nat thynke it necessary by the lawe of god.