can pardon: he can turn away his judgment. He can pardon the penitent who implores forgiveness; he can accept for him the supplications of others; or, should he move him more by his own works of satisfaction, and thus disarm his anger, the Lord will restore to him his arms, and repair his strength, whereby he shall be invigorated anew. The soldier will return to battle, challenge the enemy, and draw courage from his past grief. Who shall thus have made satisfaction to God, and, by penance for his sin, have acquired more courage and confidence from the very circumstance of his fall, he, whom the Lord has heard and aided, shall give joy to the Church : he shall deserve not pardon only, but a crown.” Ibid. p. 192, 193.
CENT. IV.
COUNCIL OF NICE, G. C. In this first General Council, held in 325, Canons were enacted, which speak of the Confession of sins, and state the time during which, in certain cases, they, who have given signs of true repentance, must undergo a course of penitential works.
“ But in all cases," it is observed, “ the disposition and character of repentance must be considered. For they who by fear, by tears, by patience, and by good works, manifest a sincere conversion, when they shall have passed over a certain time, and begun to communicate in prayer with the faithful, to these the Bishop may shew more indulgence; but not to those who manifest indifference, and think it enough that they are allowed to enter the Church. These must complete the whole period of penance.” Can. xii. Conc. Gen. T. ii. p. 35.
Sr. BASIL, G. C. In certain letters of this Saint to Amphilochius, Bishop of Iconium, is a collection of Canons, which shew what, at this time, were the laws of the Church on the principal points of its penitential discipline. He says: "These things we write, in order that the fruit of
