and betook him
unto the high priest, did meet with contakes because he went not
likewise unto one of the lesser? Either this confession unto the priest
is to be used with, or without, the confession unto God. If to be used
without, what is this but saying the priest to be God? And if to be
used with, what but saying that God is not sufficient, and the High
Priest may not act without the lesser priest do aid Him?"

"But what sayest touching the Pharisees?" repeated Bertram, who was not
able to answer Hugh's argument, and considered his own unanswerable.

"What say I?" was the calm answer. "Why, I say they spake very sooth,
saving that they pushed not the matter to its full issue. Had they
followed their reasoning on to the further end, then would they have
said, and spoken truly, `If this man can in very deed forgive sin, then
is He God.' Mark, I pray thee, what did our Lord in this matter. He
brought forth His letters of warrant. He healed the palsied man afore
them--`that ye wite,' saith He, `that mannes sone hath power in erthe to
forgyve synnes.' As though He had said unto them, `Ye say well; none
may forgive sins but God alone: wherefore see, in My forgiving of sin,
the plain proof that I am God's Son.' To show them that He had power to
forgive sin, He did heal this man of his malady. And verily I ask no
more of any priest that would confess me, but only that he bring forth
his letters of warrant, as did his Master and mine. When I shall I see
him to heal the sick with a word, then will I crede that he can forgive
sin in like manner. Lo' thou, if he can forgive, he can heal: if he can
heal by his word, then can _he_ forgive."

The waters were rather too deep for Bertram to wade in. He tried
another line of argument.

"Saint James also saith that men should confess their sins."

"`Ech to othire'--well: when it liketh Sir Marmaduke to knowledge his
sins unto me, then will I mine unto him, if we have done any wrong each
to other. But look thou into that matter of Saint James, and thou shalt
find it to touch not well men, but only sick; which, knowledging their
sins when their conscience is troubled, and praying each for other,
shall be healed of their sickness."

"Moreover, Achan did confession unto Josue," said Bertram, starting
another hare.

"Ah! Josue was a priest, trow?"

"Nay, but if it be well to knowledge our sins each to other, it shall
not be worse because the man is a priest."

"N