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§ 16 The seconde partie of Penitence is Confessioun, that is signe of contricioun. Now shul ye understonde what is confessioun, and wheither it oghte nedes be doon or noon, whiche thynges been covenable to verray confessioun. | § 16 The second part of Penitence is Confession, which is a sign of contrition. Now shall you understand what is confession, and whether it ought necessarily be done or not, and which things are appropriate to true confession. |
§ 17 First shaltow understonde that confessioun is verray shewynge of synnes to the preest. This is to seyn verray, for he moste confessen hym of alle the condiciouns that bilongen to his synne, as ferforth as he kan. Al moot be seyd, and no thyng excused ne hyd ne forwrapped, and noght avaunte thee of thy goode werkes. And forther over, it is necessarie to understonde whennes that synnes spryngen, and how they encreessen and whiche they been. | § 17 First you shall understand that confession is true showing of sins to the priest. This is to say true, for he must confess himself of all the conditions that belong to his sin, insofar as he can. All must be said, and no thing excused nor hid nor concealed, and do not boast thee of thy good works. And furthermore, it is necessary to understand from whence that sins spring, and how they increase, and what they are. |
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