Chapter 25: Article XXV: Of Confession
Section 1. Confession in the churches is not abolished among us; for it is not usual to give the body of the Lord, except to them that have been previously examined and absolved. And the people are most carefully taught concerning faith in the absolution, about which there was formerly profound silence. Our people are taught that they should highly prize the absolution, as being the voice of God, and pronounced by God's command. The power of the keys is set forth in its beauty and they are reminded what great consolation it brings to anxious consciences, that God requires faith to believe the absolution as truly as if they heard a voice from heaven, that they should joyfully receive the absolution, and that this faith in the absolution is truly receiving the forgiveness of sins, which God has promised in the Gospel. Formerly satisfaction was extolled without mercy; of faith and the merit of Christ and the righteousness of faith no mention was made; wherefore, on this point, our churches are by no means to be blamed. For this even our adversaries have to concede to us that the doctrine concerning repentance has been most diligently treated and laid open by our teachers. But of Confession they teach that an enumeration of sins is not necessary, and that consciences be not burdened with anxiety to enumerate all sins, for it is impossible to recount all sins, as the Psalm testifies: Who can understand his errors? Ps. 19:12. The Fathers also are of this mind. For in the Decrees of Chrysostom it is written: I say not to thee that thou shouldest go into public, nor that thou shouldest accuse thyself before others, but I would have thee obey the prophet who says, Reveal thy way before God. Therefore confess thy sins before God, the true Judge, with prayer. Tell thine errors, not to a fellow-servant, that may upbraid thee, but to the Lord, who heals and cares for thee. And the Gloss of Gratian acknowledges that Confession is of human right only. Nevertheless, Confession is retained among us on account of the great benefit of absolution, and because it is otherwise useful to the conscience.