Instruction concerning penance and holy communion the second part fo the instruction of youth, containing the means how we may return to God by penance, and remain in his grace by the good and frequent use of the sacraments. By Charles Gobinet, Doctor of Divinity, of the house and Society of Sorbon, principal of the college of Plessis-Sorbon.

CHAP. I. Of the Institution and Necessity of Confession.

THE first thing, which is necessary to be known in this place, is, who it was that in∣stituted Confession, and of what necessity it is for the Salvation of Souls.

We cannot better learn these two truths then from the Holy Church, which hath clearly ex∣plain'd them by the Council of Trent. Sess. 14. Chap. 1.

The Council saith, that Pennance was always necessary, before the law of Grace, for all those who had sinned Mortally, and that they could ne∣ver

receive the remission of their Sins, but by de∣testation and hatred of Sin, and a holy sorrow of mind for the enormous offence they had commit∣ed against God: Yet that this Virtue was not raised to the dignity of a Sacrament, before the coming of the Son of God, who instituted it on the day of his Resurrection, when being in the midst of the Apostles he breathed on them, as the Scripture saith, and said these words: Receive the Holy Ghost, whose sins you remit they are remitted, and whose sins you retain they are retained. Jo. 20.23.

By this so remarkable an action, saith the Council, and by those so distinct words, the Fathers with a com∣mon consent have always understood, that the power to remit, or retain Sins, was given to the Apostles and their Lawfull Successors, to reconcile those unto God, who had fall'n into Sin after Baptism. Con. Tred. Sess. 14. c. 1.

And in the fifth Chapter, treating of the in∣stitution, and necessity of the Confession of Sins, which is the Second part of this Sacrament, it speaks in these terms. Concerning the Institution of the Sacrament of Penance already explicated; The Ʋniversall Church hath always understood, that our Lord instituted the Entire Confession of Sins, and that it is necessary by divine right for all those who have fall'n into Mortall Sin after Baptism. Because our Lord Jesus Christ being ready to Ascend into Heaven hath left Priests in his place in Quality of Presidents and Judges, to whom all the Sins which the Faithfull had committed after Baptism, ought to be discovered, that they might give their Judgment, either of Absolution or Retention, by Vertue of that power, which was gi∣ven them.

From all this Doctrine of the Holy Church we

learn two truths: The first is, that Confession is is instituted by Jesus Christ. The second, that it is necessary by Divine right for the remission of Mortal Sins committed after Baptism, as Bap∣tism is necessary for the remission of Original Sin.

We must notwithstanding take notice that in case of necessity, and where Confession is impos∣sible, it may be supplied by Contrition, as Bap∣tism is also supplied by the same action in those, who are capable to make it, supposing that in this Contrition be included a will to receive Baptism, or make a Confession: But in this case it is necessary that the Contrition be perfect, and proceed from the pure love of God.