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Orthodox Confession
St Peter Mogila, tr. Lodvel, 1762
Part 1, 11. Questions 111–120
Question 111
Are there not some Orders which are given before the Order of Priesthood?
Answer.
The Order of Priesthood includes all other Orders in itself; nevertheless, they ought all to be given in their due Order; namely, the Lector, or Reader; the Chantor, or Singer; the Lampadary, or he who lighteth the Lamps; the Sub-Deacon; the Deacon; as more at large is declared in the Euchologium, where it directs concerning these Things. However, it is enough at present, with relation to this orthodox Confession, to note that it is the Duty of the Bishop, that unto whatsoever degree of holy Orders he doth admit any Person, he do clearly and plainly instruct such Person in the Duties of that Office which is committed to him, whether it be the Order of the holy Liturgy, the reading of the Gospel, the Epistle, the serving the holy Vessels, or the cleaning of the Church. For each Degree is distinguished from another by its own peculiar Duty and Habit; and this is to be explained and taught them by the Bishop.
Question 112
What is the fifth Mystery?
Answer.
The fifth Mystery is Penance, which is a true and thorough Sorrow for the Sin that a Person hath been guilty of, and which he confessed unto the Priest, his spiritual Father, with a full purpose of performing the Penance inflicted by him, and a steadfast Resolution to amend his Life for the future. This Mystery is most complete, and doth then most fully benefit us, when, according to the Constitution and Customs of the Church, Absolution of Sins is granted by the Priest. For so soon as any Person receiveth the Absolution of his Sins, they are all forthwith pardoned by God, through the ministration of the Priest: According to the Words of Christ (John xx. 22 and 23), Receive ye the Holy Ghost: whose soever Sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever Sins ye retain, they are retained.
Question 113
What is to be observed in this Mystery?
Answer.
First, It is requisite that the Penitent be a Christian of the orthodox and catholic Faith; for that Repentance which is destitute of a right Faith is no Repentance, nor is it acceptable with God. Secondly, That the Confessor who heareth and receiveth the Repentance of Christians be also, himself, Orthodox; for an Heretic and an Apostate hath no Power of Absolving. Thirdly, It is necessary that the Penitent have a contrite Heart and a serious Sorrow for his Sins, whereby he hath provoked God to Anger or injured his neighbour. Concerning which Contrition David said (Psal. li. 17), A broken and contrite Heart, O God, shalt thou not despise. This Contrition of Heart ought to be followed by an exact and particular Confession, in Words, of all Sins and Misdeeds; for the Ghostly Father cannot absolve where he knoweth of nothing to absolve; neither can he lay on or impose due Penance. The Holy Scripture manifestly speaketh of this Confession (Acts xix. 18), And many that believed came, and confessed, and showed their Deeds. And elsewhere (James v. 16), Confess your Faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. Again (in Mark i. 5), And there went out unto him all the Land of Judea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the River Jordan, confessing their Sins. Now, this Confession ought to have these Properties, namely, that whenever it be exercised, it be humble, devout, true, sincere, accusing itself with Grief and Mourning. The last Part of Penance is the penitential Canon, and Punishment which the Confessor appointeth and inflicts; of which kind are Prayer, Alms, Fastings, Pilgrimages to holy Places, Prostrations, and the like; as the Ghostly Father judgeth proper. And let him who departeth from Confession, having obtained Absolution, apply to himself what the Author of the Psalms saith (Psal. xxxiv. 14), Eschew Evil, and do Good. And also that which our Saviour saith (John v. 14), Behold thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse Thing come unto thee. And again (in John viii. 11), Go, and sin no more. But, forasmuch as it is impossible that a Man should, altogether and entirely, avoid Sin, the pious Christian must, according to the best of his Understanding and Ability, endeavour, from Confession to Confession, to amend his Life to the utmost of his Power.
Question 114
What are the Fruits of this Mystery?
Answer.
The first Benefit which we receive is that, whereas by Sin we are deprived of that Innocence we obtained in Baptism, now, by Penance, we approach nearer to that State. And as, by Sin, we had forfeited the divine Grace, now, by Repentance, we regain it: And, having become the Slaves of the Devil by Sin, by Repentance we are made free. Lastly, As Fear and Dread entered into our Consciences through Sin, so now, by Repentance, we are restored to Peace and Confidence, such as Children are wont to have towards their Parents.
Question 115
What is the sixth Mystery?
Answer.
Honourable Marriage, which, in the first Place, is made by the mutual Consent and Agreement of a Man and Woman with each other, where there is no lawful Impediment to hinder it. However, this Consent, alone, doth not make the Bond of Marriage, unless the same Persons do confirm their Espousals, by a mutual Testimony before a Priest, and by pledging their Faith, either to the other, with joined Hands, that they will be faithful to and honour each other; that they will love each other with all conjugal Affection, in all States and Conditions of Life; and that they will never forsake each other unto their Lives’ end. Secondly, This, their Consent and Promise, is confirmed and hallowed by the Priest; as it is written (Heb. xiii. 4), Marriage is honourable in all, and the Bed undefiled.
Question 116
What are the Fruits of this Mystery?
Answer.
First, That a Man might hereby be preserved from the Danger of Whoredom and Unchastity: For honourable Marriage was, therefore, instituted that the Fire of Lust might thereby be extinguished; according to St. Paul (1 Cor. vii. 2), To avoid Fornication, let every Man have his own Wife, and let every Woman have her own Husband. Secondly, That is deservedly to be honoured, whereby the Procreation of Children is honestly provided for. Thirdly, That in Sickness, or any other Distress, the Husband might be to the Wife, and the Wife unto the Husband, a faithful Companion and Helpmate, because of that especial Affection and strict Bond of Love wherewith they are united. As testifieth the Scripture (Gen. ii. 24), For this Cause shall a Man leave his Father and Mother, and shall cleave unto his own Wife, and they twain shall be one Flesh.
Question 117
What is the seventh Mystery of the Church?
Answer.
The Holy Oil. This was instituted by Christ himself, for when he sent out his Disciples by two and two (Mark vi. 13), They anointed with Oil many that were sick, and healed them. The same was afterwards received by the universal Church, for a solemn Custom, as appears from the Epistle of St. James (chap. v. 14), If any be sick among you, let him call for the Elders of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with Oil, in the name of the Lord; and the Prayer of Faith shall save the Sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he hath committed Sins, they shall be forgiven him.
Question 118
What is to be observed in this Mystery?
Answer.
First, That this Mystery, and all belonging unto it, be only performed by Priests, and none others. Secondly, That the Oil be pure, and not prepared with any Mixtures; and that the sick Person be an orthodox Christian; and, also, that he have, beforehand, confessed all his Sins unto his spiritual Father. Thirdly, That whilst the Unction is administering, that Prayer be repeated wherein the Power and Efficacy of this Mystery is recited.
Question 119
What are the Fruits of this Mystery?
Answer.
We are taught by St. James, in the Place last mentioned, what are the Fruits and Benefits of this Mystery; namely, the Forgiveness of Sins, or the Healing of the Soul, and the restoring of Health unto the Body. And, however, although this latter is not always obtained, yet, nevertheless, the Forgiveness of Sins is always most assuredly thereby received.
Question 120
What is the eleventh Article of the Faith?
Answer.
I look for the Resurrection of the Dead.