I deny not, but cases of just necessity be excepted in the one, and the other, having right and firm wills, and desire in each case: When not the contempt of Religion, but the point of necessity excludeth the Mystery of baptism, as S. Augustine saith. Then how dangerous, and pernicious is the Doctrine of these Defenders our New Ministering Prelates, who more with sweet and Holy words, then with truth, teach Christen people, that the office of Loosing consisteth in offering by preaching of the Gospel (as they call it) the Merits of Christ, and full pardon, and by pronouncing (I know not how) a sure and undoubted forgiveness of sins and hope of Everlasting Salvation to such,1 for soothe, as have lowly and contrite hearts, and do unfeignedly repent them? The contrition of heart, they seem to speak of, sufficeth not for Loosing of sins, onlesse it be contrition formed with charity, as the Divines teach. Which charity, seeketh and requireth the Sacrament of Penance, and the grace of reconciliation. which cannot be ministered, but by a priest.* Neither is it possible, the priest to judge truly, who are lowly and contrite of heart, and repent them unfeignedly, forasmuch as he cannot search the heart, onlesse the penitents humble them selves unto him, and declare their repentance by simple and lowly confession of their sins.3 Which confession these New Gospellers have abandoned out of their Congregations. Howe much is more the Catholic and wholesome Doctrine of S.4 Augustine to be embraced and followed, which he uttereth in these words? Do ye penance, such as is done in the Church, that the Church may pray for you. Let no man say to him self, I do penance secretly, before God I do It: God, who forgiveth me, knoweth, that I do it in my heart. But what saith S. Augustine hereunto? Why then (saith he) it was said in vain, What things ye Loose in Earth,5 they shall be Loosed in Heaven. Then without cause the Keys be given to the Church. We make void the Gospel of God: we make frustrate the words of Christ.
I denie not, but cases of iuste necessitie be excepted in the one, and the other, hauinge right and firme willes, and desire in eche case: VVhen not the contempte of Religion, but the pointe of necessitie excludethe the Mysterie of baptisme, as S. Augustine saithe. Then how dangerous, and pernicious is the Doctrine of these Defenders our Newe Ministringe Prelates, who more with sweete and Holy woordes, then withe truthe, teache Christen people, that the office of Loosinge consisteth in offeringe by preachinge of the Gospell (as they call it) the Merites of Christe, and full pardon, and by pronouncinge (I knowe not howe) a sure and vndoubted forgeeuenesse of sinnes and hope of Euerlasting Saluation to suche,1 for soothe, as haue lowly and contrite hartes, and doe vnfainedly repente them? The contrition of harte, they seeme to speake of, sufficethe not for Loosinge of sinnes, onlesse it be contrition formed with charitie, as the Diuines teache. VVhiche charitie, seeketh and requireth the Sacrament of Penaunce, and the grace of reconciliation. whiche cannot be ministred, but by a prieste.* Neither is it possible, the prieste to iudge truly, who are lowly and contrite of harte, and repente them vnfainedly, forasmutche as he cannot searche the harte, onlesse the penitentes humble them selues vnto him, and declare theire repentaunce by simple and lowly confession of their sinnes.3 VVhiche confession these Newe Gospellers haue abandoned out of theire Congregations. Howe mutche is more the Catholike and holesome Doctrine of S.4 Augustine to be embraced and folowed, whiche he vttereth in these woordes? Doo ye penaunce, sutche as is done in the Churche, that the Churche maie praie for you. Let noman saie to him selfe, I do penaunce secretely, before God I do It: God, who forgeeueth me, knoweth, that I doo it in my harte. But what saith S. Augustine hereunto? VVhy then (saithe he) it was saide in vaine, What thinges ye Loose in Earthe,5 they shalbe Loosed in Heauen. Then without cause the Keies be geeuen to the Churche. VVe make voide the Gospell of God: wee make frustrate the woordes of Christe.
- 1O dangerous Doctrine.
- *Untruth. Read the answer.Vntruthe. Reade the aunsvveare.
- 3Lib. 50. Homiliarū, Homi. 49.Lib. 50. Homiliarū, Homi. 49.
- 4Manifest Untruth For S. Augustine speaketh these words of Open Confession before the people.Manifest Vntruthe For S. Augustine speaketh these vvoordes of Open Confession before the people.
- 5Mat. 18.
