PREFACE AND INSTRUCTION CONCERNING HOW IT BEHOVETH A SPIRITUAL PERSON TO BEHAVE HIMSELF, AND TO INSTRUCT WITHOUT CONTRADICTION THEM THAT BETAKE THEMSELVES TO HIM.
It is the duty of him that is the recipient of human thoughts to be a pattern of all good things, and to be continent, humble, and virtuous, praying himself every hour unto God, that he may give him the word of wisdom to correct them that betake themselves to him. First of all it is his duty himself to fast wednesday and friday throughout the year, as the divine canons direct, since from these he hath to direct himself and others what to do. But if he himself be ignorant, incontinent, and pleasure-loving, how can he teach virtue unto others? and who would be so unwise as to hearken unto him concerning that which he hath to say, seeing him a disorderly person and a drunkard, and teaching others not to be intemperate, or to follow any virtue whatever, while he himself is unable to do this? For eyes are more believing than ears, saith the divine scripture. Therefore, take heed unto thyself, O thou that art a spiritual person; for if one sheep be lost through thy negligence, it shall be required at thy hands. For cursed, saith the scripture, is he that doeth the work of the Lord negligently. And the great Basil saith, Give heed, that thou fear not a man in his fall, that thou give not the Son of God into unworthy hands, that thou be not ashamed of him because of them that are glorious on the earth, and that thou communicate not even him that weareth a diadem. For the divine canons do not permit the unworthy to be communicated, since they are regarded as heathen. If they will not repent, woe unto them, and to them that communicate them. Give heed, he saith, thou seest I will not permit such things. These and the like precepts keeping, and before all things, preserving the ecclesiastical dogmas immoveably, thou shalt save thyself, and them that hearken unto thee. If any without proper licence from the local Bishop dare to be the recipient of thoughts and to confess, such shall rightly receive punishment as a transgressor of the divine canons; for he doth not only ruin himself, but as many as are confessed by him, they are not confessed, and as many as are bound or loosed, they are not corrected, according to the sixth canon of the synod of Carthage, and according to the forty-third of the same synod.
Chapter VII.
THE ORDER CONCERNING CONFESSION.
The spiritual father leadeth one that cometh to confess, but not two or more, with uncovered head before an icon of our Lord Jesus Christ. And he maketh the initial verse.
Then, Trisagion. After Our Father.... Lord have mercy, xii.
Glory. Both now.
O come, let us worship.... Thrice.
Then Psalm l. Have mercy upon me, O God....