THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND LEAVES HER CHILDREN FREE TO WHOM TO OPEN THEIR GRIEFS. THE REV. W. U. RICHARDS, MINISTER OF ALL SAINTS, ST. MARY-LE-BONE. BY THE REV. E. B. PUSEY, D.D. REGIUS PROFESSOR OF HEBREW; CANON OF CHRIST CHURCH; LATE FELLOW OF ORIEL COLLEGE. "Ut inveniat gratiam qui vult confiteri peccata, quærat sacerdotem scien- Second Edition, WITH A POSTSCRIPT, IN ANSWER TO THE LETTERS OF THE REV. W. MASKELL. Oxford: JOHN HENRY PARKER, AND 377, STRAND, LONDON; AND SOLD BY F. & J. RIVINGTON, ST. PAUL'S CHURCH YARD, & WATERLOO PLACE, LONDON, CONTENTS. Introduction Questions raised as to Absolution Jurisdiction, the Gift of a Power within certain limits, in order to Does the Church of England leave the power of the Keys unre- Meaning of the Church's Direction "Let him come to me or to Statement of Contemporary Rules, with a view to illustrate these Restrictions placed by the Council of Lateran, that all must Statements of Councils of Florence and Trent . Explanation of the word "Jurisdiction" as relates to the power of Jurisdiction may be conferred directly or indirectly by leave given to the Priest to absolve, or to the Penitent to confess to I. The Pope. Various Theories. The truest Theory implies Jurisdiction in this case from the law permitting Extent of this class. VII. In probable though uncertain peril of death (by custom) VIII. Emperor and Empress, kings (by custom) IX. Vagabundi, those who had no settled residence Cases of absolutions voidable but not void Summary Distinction between jurisdiction and approbation of Bishop Jurisdiction in English Church altered when confession ceased to Change as to the "Simplex Sacerdos" after the destruction of Permissions may not be limited arbitrarily The words "or some other" often re-enacted when they could not Evidence from Canons of 1604, and Bishops' Visitation Articles Implied objections as to the practice Objections to the practice from the supposed practice of the They are drawn, not from private confession, but from the public Choice of Confessor free in the Ancient Church Partial change through Pope Urban II. (A.D. 1087-99) Freedom still remaining at that date Case of ignorance of the Priest Some held this to include moral unfitness Provincial and local regulations, relate to public discipline or to Meaning of the words "cannot absolve," in the Lateran Council. 176 Navarrus-return to ancient practice easy and admissible Abstract principles adduced against the freedom allowed by the The Visitation for the Sick leaves the choice open: (1) As preparatory to Holy Communion; 83 (2) As not placing restriction on the previous practice Negligence no argument against the Church's rule A LETTER, &c. MY DEAREST FRIEND, WE have, these many years, felt alike on all things which concern the Church, the progress of Christ's kingdom, the cure of souls; so that it is natural to write to you on any new trouble which comes upon us. But in this case we have another common bond, the souls and consciences of those to whom we have ministered, and who now are liable to be disquieted, and are (as you tell me) in part disquieted by the theory of "jurisdiction," recently put out by Mr. Allies. This, as he has too narrowly stated it, would, in many cases, affect the "benefits of Absolution," which, by virtue of the exhortation of the Church of England, they have sought and received, and in it have found grace and peace. One, at least, has on that ground left the Church of England. B |