must here be required of them: one, that they compel an
annual confession to be observed by their subjects, according
to the constitution, canon Omnis Utriusque, concerning
penance and remission and the custom of the Church
universal. Another that through their preachers they cause
their subjects to be faithfully admonished when they are
about to confess that although they cannot state all their
sins individually, nevertheless, a diligent examination of
their conscience being made, they make an entire confession
of their offences - viz. of all which occur to their memory
in such investigation. But in regard to the rest that have
been forgotten and have escaped our mind it is lawful to make
a general confession, and to say with the Psalmist, Ps.
19:17: "Cleanse me, Lord, from secret faults."


To Article XII.


In the twelfth article their confession that such as have
fallen may find remission of sins at the time when they are
converted, and that the Church should give absolution unto
such as return to repentance, is commended, since they most
justly condemn the Novatians who deny that repentance can be
repeated, in opposition both to the prophet who promises
grace to the sinner at whatever hour he shall mourn, Ezek.
18:21, and the merciful declaration of Christ our Saviour,
replying to St. Peter, that not until seven times, but until
seventy times seven in one day, he should forgive his brother
sinning against him, Matt. 18:22. But the second part of this