6. Stand by a moment; behold a poor priest, a Capuchin, whose name is unknown; he ascends the superb stairs, he enters, he penetrates even where confidential friends are not admitted; he sits, and the prince, kneeling, says to him, “Confiteor tibi Pater.” And to whom does he say that? It is not to a man, but to the whole of humanity. It is the whole human kind which seizes and compresses him, which says to him, “Sire, you have sinned, you are not worthy to draw near to God.”
7. If some one had said to Augustus, whilst he was walking in his gardens with Horace or Mecænas, “There is a man below with a staff and wallet, who says he is sent from God to hear the confession of your faults;” would he not have looked upon him as a madman? And yet, gentlemen, that folly has prevailed! And observe, I pray you, that, on all occasions, in Christianity we find nothing but follies; and we justify these follies before you—you, the élite of this age—and you listen to them and exclaim, “Nevertheless it is grand!”
[663] Volˊ-un-ta-ry, free; proceeding from choice or free will.
[664] A-bolˊ-ish-ed, annulled; abrogated; put an end to.
[665] Pen-i-tenˊ-tia-ry, a house of correction.
[666] Ex-pi-aˊ-tion, the act of atoning for a crime or sin; atonement; satisfaction.
[667] Re-ha-bil-i-ta-tion, restoration to former condition or position.