rejoice in Confession. And why? Because he is good, to whom we confess. He demands it from us, that he may free the humble man: to punish the proud, he condemns him that confesses not. Be sorrowful, therefore, before confession : after it, be glad; for now thou shalt be healed. Thy conscience had collected matter; the imposthume had swelled; it pained thee; it allowed thee no rest. The physician applies the fomentation of advice; he has recourse, when the evil requires it, to the knife. Do thou embrace the hand: confess; and in this confession may all that is foul be cleared away. Now rejoice, and be glad : what remains will with ease be cured.” Enarrat. in Psal. lxvi. T. iv. p. 660, 661.
St. Leo, L. C. Writing to the Bishops of Campania, who had introduced some practices, not authorised by Apostolical Tradition, he ordains as follows: “Having lately understood, that some of you, by an unlawful usurpation, have adopted a practice which Tradition does not allow, I am determined by all means to suppress it. I speak of penance, when applied for by the faithful. There shall be no declaration of all kinds of sins, given in writing, and publicly read: for it is enough, that the guilt of conscience be made known to the Priests alone by a private confession. That confidence, indeed, may be thought deserving of praise, which, on account of the fear of God, hesitates not to blush before men; but there are sins, the public disclosure of which must excite fear; therefore, let this improper practice be put an end to, lest many be kept from the remedies of penance, being ashamed, or dreading, to make known to their enemies such actions, as may expose them to legal punishment. That confession suffices, which is first made to God, and then to the Minister, who will offer up prayers
