The Catholic Reformation 157 neither could they have observed equity in enjoining punish- ments, if the said faithful declared their sins in general only instead of specifically and one by one. Whence it is gathered that all the mortal sins of which penitents, after a diligent examination of themselves, are conscious must needs be enumerated in confession. Venial sins, whereby we are not excluded from the grace of God, and into which we fall more frequently, although they may be included rightly and profitably, and without any presumption, in confession, as the custom of pious per- sons shows, yet they may be omitted without guilt and be expiated by many other remedies. But since all mortal sins, even those of thought, render men "children of wrath " and enemies of God, it is necessary to seek pardon from God for every mortal sin by a full and modest confession. . . . It is impious to assert that confession, thus enjoined, is impossible, or to call it "a slaughter-house of consciences"; for it is certain that in the Church nothing more is required of penitents, except that, after each has examined himself diligently, and searched all the folds and recesses of his conscience, he confess those sins which he shall remember, by which he has mortally offended his Lord and God ; whilst the other sins, which do not occur to him after diligent thought, are understood to be included as a whole in that same confession ; for which sins we confidently say with the prophet, "Cleanse thou me from secret faults." This holy Council enjoins on all bishops and others who are charged with teaching, that they instruct the faithful diligently concerning the intercession and invocation of saints, the honor paid to relics, and the legitimate use of images. Let them teach that the saints, who reign together with Christ, offer up their own prayers to God for men ; that it is good and useful suppliantly to invoke them, and to have recourse to their prayers and aid in obtaining benefits from God, through his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who is our sole Redeemer and Saviour ; and that those persons think impiously who deny that the saints, who enjoy eternal Only mortal sins need be confessed. Answer to Protestant objections. On the invo- cation and veneration of saints and their images.
