esh and blood,
and which no human power, even if it had the will, could impose on the
human race. It is only a God that, in such a case, could exact the homage
of our assent.

In whatever light, therefore, we view the present question--whether we
consider the circumstances of time, place, manner of its introduction--the
same inevitable conclusion stares us in the face: that Sacramental
confession is not the invention of man, but the institution of Jesus
Christ.

But the doctrine of priestly absolution and the private confession of sins
is not confined to the Roman Catholic and Oriental schismatic churches.
The same doctrine is also taught by a large and influential portion of the
Protestant Episcopal Church of England.

The Rev. C. S. Grueber, a clergyman of the Church of England, has recently
published a catechism in which the absolving power of the minister of God,
and the necessity and advantage of confession, are plainly set forth. I
will quote from the Rev. gentleman's book his identical words:

_Question._ What do you mean by absolution?

_Answer._ The pardon or forgiveness of sin.

_Q._ By what special ordinance of Christ are sins committed after Baptism
to be pardoned?

_A._ By the sacrament of absolution.

_Q._ Who is the minister of absolution?

_A._ A Priest.

_Q._ Do you mean that a Priest can really absolve?

_A._ Yes.

_Q._ In what place of the Holy Scripture is it recorded that Christ gave
this power to the priesthood?

_A._ In John xx. 23; see also Matt. xviii. 18.

_Q._ What does the prayer-book (or Book of Common Prayer) say?

_A._ In the office for the ordaining of Priests the Bishop is directed to
say, "Receive the Holy Ghost for the office and work of a Priest in the
Church of God. Whose sins thou dost forgive, they are forgiven." In the
office for the visitation of the sick it is said, "Our Lord Jesus Christ
hath left in His Church power to absolve all sinners that truly repent and
believe in Him." In the order for morning and evening prayer we say again,
"Almighty God hath given power and commandment to his ministers to declare
and pronounce to His people, being penitent, the absolution and remission
of their sins."

_Q._ For what purpose hath Christ given this power to Priests to pronounce
absolution in His name?

_A._ _For the consolation of the penitent; the quieting of his
conscience._

_Q._ What must precede the absolution of the penitent?

_A._ _Confession...._ Befo