Page:Faithcatholics.pdf/379

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we shall escape the designs of the accusing devil; for thus the prophet says: Let us be our own accusers.” Homil. iii. in Levit. T. ii. p. 196.—“ We have all power to pardon the faults committed against ourselves—but he, on whom Jesus breathed, as he did on the Apostles—he forgives, provided God forgive; and retains those, of which the sinner repents not ;) being his minister, who alone possesses the power of remitting. So the prophets uttered things not their own; but what it pleased God to communicate.” L. de Orat. T. i. p. 255.—“Observe what the divine Scripture teaches, that we must not inwardly conceal our sins. For as those, whose stomach is overloaded with indigestible food, and humours, if they vomit, are instantly relieved; so they who have sinned, if they hide and retain their sin within their breasts, are grievously tormented : but if the sinner becomes his own accuser, while he does this, he discharges the cause of all his malady. Only let him carefully consider, to whom he should confess his sin; what is the character of the physician ;(8) if he be one who will be weak with the weak, who will weep with the sorrowful, and who understands the discipline of condolence and fellow feeling. So that, when his skill shall be known and his pity felt, you may follow what he shall advise. Should he think your disease to be such, that it should be declared in the assembly of the faithful, whereby others may be edified, and yourself easily reformed - this must be done with much deliberation and the skilful advice of the physician.” Homil. ii. in Psal. xxxvii. T. ii. p. 688.—“ They who are not holy, die in their sins: the holy do penance; they feel their wounds; are sensible of their failings; look for the Priest; implore health ; and through