The-papacy-its-history-dogmas-genius-and-prospects-wylie

2!SoOF PENANCE AND CONFESSION.on as easy terms, and to as little purpose, as before.* Thusis he deluded and cheated through life, till all opportunityof obtaining the pardon which the Bible offers, and whichalone is of any value, is gone for ever.* Bellarmine (De Penit. lib. iv. c. xiii.) says, that " Papal pardons dischargeus from obedience to the commandment of God, which enjoins to* do works worthy of repentance.' " Some Popish divines have maintainedthat absolution is to be withheld, if the person falls often into the same sin,and gives no hope of amendment ; but this is not the common opinion." They ought not to be denied or delayed absolution," says Bauny (Theol.Jlor. tr. iv. q. xv. and xxii.), " who continue in habitual sins against thelaws of God, nature, and the Church, though they discover not the leasthope of amendment." " And if this were not true," adds Caussin (p. 211)," there would be no use of confession as to the greatest part of the world,and there would be no other remedy for sinners than the bough of a treeor a halter."By the help of the confessional, then, men can live easilyunder sins which otherwise would drown them in despair. To what arank height must villains and villanies grow imder the friendly shade ofthe confessional