a superficial or outward compliance with this duty, accompanied, perhaps, with insincerity, gross negligence, or a fixed adherence to mortal sin, and therefore destitute of real sorrow, change of heart, and a firm purpose of amendment. The enormity of sin is the same at this day as it ever was, it is as unchangeable as God himself; because it is essentially a rebellion against him, a breach of his law, an insult offered to the Eternal Majesty; and consequently not more remissible at present in the Sacrament of Penance, than at the earliest periods of Christianity, when the severest discipline prevailed, and the fervour of primitive penitents was so ardent. Hence, that this merciful institution may never be frustrated of its end, and in order that the sinner may always obtain by it the pardon of his offences, we must strictly fulfil these five following conditions:
I. An examination of conscience, that we may know our sins.
II. A heartfelt sorrow for having committed them.
III. A firm resolution never to commit them again.
IV. An humble confession of them to a Priest empowered to absolve us.
V. A desire or intention of performing our penance.
When you make a good confession, God grants you the pardon of the sins you have fallen into; and he grants you also strength to avoid sin, and to serve him better for the time to come. But should you make a bad confession, you are guilty of a great crime, and you become much worse than you were before in the sight of God. As often, therefore, as you go to confession, go with an earnest wish of making a truly good confession.
You must also hear in mind that we can neither
