Confession and Absolution | Page 8

entirely."[38]
The same writer, styled "the Light of the Western Gauls," mentions that
"Cordon who appeared before Marcion, he also under Hyginus, the
eighth bishop, having come into the Church and confessing, thus
completed his career."

In the last decade of the second century, and in the first twenty years of
the third century, the famed Tertullian, who was born at Carthage about
the year 160, and who lived and labored in Rome and North Africa,
ending his life, it is variously stated, from 220 to 240, wrote, before
joining the Montanist sect: "If thou drawest back from confession
(exomologesis), consider in thine heart that hell-fire which confession
shall quench for thee; and first imagine to thyself the greatness of the
punishment, that thou mayest not doubt concerning the adoption of the
remedy. * * * When, therefore, thou knowest that against hell-fire, after
that first protection of the baptism ordained by the Lord, there is _yet in
confession (exomologesis) a second aid_, why dost thou abandon thy
salvation? Why delay to enter on that which thou knowest will heal
thee? Even dumb and unreasoning creatures know at the season the
medicines which are given them from God. * * * Shall the sinner,
_knowing that confession has been instituted by the Lord_ for his
restoration, pass over that which restored the king of Babylon to his
kingdom? * * * Why should I say more of these two planks, I may call
them, for saving men?"[39]
In the middle of the third century, Origen, pupil of St. Clement of
Alexandria, was born in that town about 184, labored there for a time,
and afterwards at Cæsarea in Palestine. He died at Tyre in 253. Again
and again does he make reference to confession of sin and its
absolution by a priest. "Hear therefore now," says he, "how many are
the remissions of sin in the Gospels. The first is this by which we are
baptized unto the remission of sins. * * * There is also yet a seventh,
although hard and laborious: the remission of sins through penitence
when the sinner washeth his bed with tears, and his tears become his
bread day and night, and when he is not _ashamed to declare his sin to
the priest of the Lord, and seek a remedy_."[40] And commenting on
the words of the Psalmist--"Because I declare my iniquity"--Origen
writes: "Wherefore see what divine Scripture teaches us, that we must
not hide sin within us. * * * But if a man become his own accuser,
while he accuses himself and confesses, he at the same time ejects the
sin, and digests the whole cause of the disease. Only look diligently
round to whom then oughtest to confess thy sin. Prove first the
physician, * * * that so in fine then mayest do and follow whatever he

shall have said, whatever counsel he shall have given."[41] Again does
Origen write: "For if we have done this, and revealed our sins not only
to God, but also to _those who are able to heal our wounds and sins_,
our sins will be blotted out by Him who saith: 'Behold, I will blot out
thy iniquities as a cloud, and thy sins as a mist.'"[42]
In the first half of the third century, flourished St. Cyprian, Bishop of
Carthage. Born in North Africa, he became a Christian about 240, and
was beheaded in 238 "as an enemy of the gods, and a seducer of the
people." He repeatedly refers to the practice of confession and
absolution. The following passage from his work "De Lapsis" will
suffice to show his mind: "God perceives the things that are hidden,
and considers those that are hidden and concealed. None can escape the
eye of God: He sees the heart and breast of every person, and He will
judge not only our actions, but also our words and thoughts. He regards
the minds of all, and the wishes conceived in the hidden recesses of the
breast. In fine, how much loftier in faith and in fear (of God) superior
are they who, though implicated in no crime of sacrifice, or of
accepting a certificate, yet because they have only had thought thereof,
this very thing _sorrowingly and honestly confessing before the priests
of God, make a confession (exomologesis) of their conscience_, expose
the burthen of the soul, seek out a salutary cure even for light and little
wounds, knowing that it is written 'God will not be mocked.'"
In the early part of the fourth century, Lactantius, who is said to have
been converted about the year 290, and to have been put to death about
326, writes: "As every sect of heretics thinks its followers are above all
other Christians, and its own the Catholic Church,