O poor deluded Catholic woman! listen no longer to the deceiving words of the Church of Rome, who has no pardon, no peace for you, but only snares; who offers you thraldom and shame in return for the confession of your sins! But listen rather to the invitations of your Saviour, who has died on the cross that you might be saved, and who alone can give rest to your weary souls.
Harken to His words when he says to you: "Come to me, O ye heavily laden, crushed, as it were, under the burden of your sins, and I shall give you rest.... I am the physician of your souls.... Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.... Come then to me and ye shall be healed.... I have sent back nor lost none who have come to me.... Invoke my name.... believe in me.... repent.... love God and your neighbor as yourself, and you shall be saved.... For all who believe in me and call upon my name, shall be saved.... When I am raised up between heaven and earth, I shall draw every one to me"....
O, mothers and daughters, instead of going to the priest for pardon and salvation, go to Jesus, who is so pressingly inviting you, and the more so as you have more need of divine help and grace. Even if you are as great a sinner as Mary Magdalene you can, like her, wash the feet of the Saviour with the flowing tears of your repentance and your love, and like her, receive the pardon of your sins.
To Jesus then, and to him alone for the confession and pardon of your sins: for there only you can find peace, light, and life!
[CHAPTER XI].
some of the matters on which the priest of rome must question his penitents.
a chapter for the consideration of legislators, husbands, and fathers.
Dens wants the confessors to interrogate on the following matters:—