soul and body, and, in fine, that correction which consists in the Confession of sin, and the lowly humiliation of life.” Orat. xl. T. 1. p. 642.—“Think it not hard to confess(s) thy sin, reflecting on the baptism of John, in order that, by present shame, thou mayest escape the shame of the next life. Thus will it be made manifest, that thou really hatest sin, having deemed it deserving of contumely, and having triumphed over it.” Ibid. p. 657.
St. AMBROSE, L. C.-“If thou wouldst be made just, acknowledge thy fault; for the modest confession of sins, looses the bonds of crimes.” De Pænit. L. ii. c. vi. T. 11. p. 426.—“There are some who ask for penance, that they may at once be restored to communion. These do not so much desire to be loosed, as to bind the Priest; for they do not unburden their own conscience, but they burden his, who is commanded not to give holy things to dogs; that is, not easily to admit impure souls to the holy communion.” Ibid. c. ix. p. 434.
When the Emperor Theodosius, excluded from the Church during eight months, on account of the massacre committed by his order at Thessalonica, presented himself before St. Ambrose, and begged to be absolved :“What penance,” said the Saint," have you done for so great a crime?"_“It belongs to you,” humbly replied Theodosius,“ to prescribe and to mix the remedy, and to treat my difficult case: it is my part to take the medicine prescribed." He then directed
