Speaking of the culpable indulgence shewn to some, who had fallen in the time of persecution, he observes : “ The miserable men are thus deceived; and when, by doing sincere penance, by prayer and good works, they might satisfy God, they are seduced into greater danger, and fall lower when they might rise. In the case of smaller failings, it is required, that sinners do penance for a stated time; that, according to the rule of established discipline, they come to confession (exomologesis), and that, by the imposition of the hand of the Bishop and Clergy, they be admitted to communion. But now, in the time of persecution, while the Church is troubled, these sinners are admitted ; their names are read (at the altar), and, no penance performed-no exomologesis madera)—no hand imposed—they are admitted to the Eucharist, though it be written: Whosoever shall eat this bread, or drink the chalice of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.” (1 Cor. xi. 27.) Ep. ix. ad Clerum. p. 18.-In another letter, addressed to his flock, he makes the same complaint, and delivers the same instructions. Ep. x. ad Plebem. p. 21.
ORIGEN, G. C.—“There is yet a more severe and arduous pardon of sins by penance, when the sinner washes his couch with his tears, and when he blushes not to disclose his sin to the Priest of the Lord, and seek a remedy. Thus is fulfilled what the Apostle says: Is any man sick among you, let him bring in the Priests of the Church. (James v. 14.)” Homil. ii. in Levit. T. ii. p. 191.-At the last day, “ all things will be revealed whatever we shall have committed; what we have done in private, what in word only, or even in thought: all will be laid open.—But if, while we are alive, we prevent this, and become our own accusers,
