God forgiveness of our sins, if we are ashamed to confess them to the Priest; 1 and
3. By the existence of confession in the Church at all times and among all nations; for if Confession had been instituted by human laws, and not by Christ Himself, people would certainly never have generally complied with it.2
1' Whosoever is ashamed to declare his sins to man, and will not confess them, he shall be confounded in the day of judgment in the face of the Avhole world' (St. John Chrysostom). 'If the sick man is ashamed to discover the wounds of his soul to the physician, he cannot be cured' (St. Jerome). Thus likewise Origen, St. Cyprian, St. Basil, St. Pacian, St. John Climacus, St. Gregory the Great, and others. 2 That Confession was practised as early as in the times of the Apostles, is proved by tradition; and even the Holy Scripture testifies (Acts xix. 18) that, when the Apostle St. Paul was at Ephesus, ' Many of them that believed came confessing and declaring their deeds, '
10. But to receive forgiveness of our sins is it not sufficient to confess them to God alone?
By no means; or else the full power which Christ gave to the Priests, of retaining or remitting them according to their judgment, would, indeed, be vain and useless.
'Confess your sins one to another [not, then, to God alone], that you may be saved' (James v. 16). 'Let no one say: I do penance privately before God; God, who knows me, sees what is going on in my heart. Was it, then, said in vain: Whatsoever ye shall loose on earth, it shall be loosed also in Heaven? Were, then, the keys given in vain to the Church of God?' (St. Augustine.)
11. Is, then, the Sacrament of Penance necessary for salvation to all those who have sinned?
It is necessary for salvation to all those who have committed a grievous sin after Baptism.
12. Can the Sacrament of Penance never be supplied?
When the Sacrament of Penance cannot be received, it can be supplied by a perfect Contrition, and a firm resolution to confess our sins as soon as an opportunity offers.
