Dist. 21, Part 2, Divisio Textus
Book IV: On the Sacraments · Distinction 21
## Commentarius in Distinctionem XXI. — Pars II.
De confessione sacramentali quoad utilitatem a parte finis.
Post haec considerandum est, utrum prosit confessio etc.
TEXTUM MAGISTRI VIDE SUPRA PAG. 545.
DIVISIO TEXTUS.
Supra egit Magister de confessionis necessitate a parte confitentis et potestate a parte absolventis et opportunitate a parte temporis; hic agit de utilitate a parte finis; et habet haec pars duas. In prima ostendit, quae confessio sit utilis, scilicet confessio vera et humilis. In secunda ostendit, quantum confessionis contemptus obsit, infra1: Cumque multis auctoritatibus supra sit assertum.
Prima in duas dividitur. In prima ostendit, quae sunt attendenda in confessione ex parte confitentis. In secunda, ex parte audientis, ibi: Caveat autem sacerdos etc. Prima pars duas continet. In prima ostendit, quod confessio non debet esse diminuta. In secunda, quod non debet esse superflua, ibi: Sicut autem poenitens celare non debet etc. Similiter secunda, in qua determinat ex parte sacerdotis, quid observandum sit, duo continet. Primum est, ut pure teneat secretum2. Secundum vero, ut non absolvat alterius parochianum, et hoc ibi tangitur: Quod vero dictum est. Et ita principaliter duo tanguntur, secundum quod confessio integra debet esse et secreta.
TRACTATIO QUAESTIONUM.
Ad intelligentiam huius partis secundum duo, quae tanguntur in littera, duo principaliter quaeruntur.
Primo quaeritur de confessione quantum ad modum.
Secundo vero quaeritur de confessione quantum ad sigillum.
Circa primum quaeruntur tria.
Primo quaeritur, utrum liceat aliquod peccatum in confessione dimittere3.
Secundo, utrum liceat addere.
Tertio, utrum liceat aliena peccata referre.
## Commentary on Distinction XXI — Part II.
On sacramental confession with respect to its usefulness from the side of its end.
After these things it must be considered whether confession is profitable etc.
FOR THE TEXT OF THE MASTER SEE ABOVE, PAGE 545.
DIVISION OF THE TEXT.
Above, the Master treated of the necessity of confession from the side of the one confessing, and of the power from the side of the one absolving, and of the opportunity from the side of time; here he treats of its usefulness from the side of its end; and this part has two [sections]. In the first he shows what confession is useful, namely a true and humble confession. In the second he shows how much contempt of confession is harmful, below1: And since it has been asserted above by many authorities.
The first is divided into two. In the first he shows what things are to be attended to in confession from the side of the one confessing. In the second, from the side of the one hearing, there: But let the priest beware etc. The first part contains two. In the first he shows that confession ought not to be diminished. In the second, that it ought not to be superfluous, there: But just as the penitent ought not to conceal etc. Likewise the second [part], in which he determines from the side of the priest what is to be observed, contains two. The first is that he keep the secret purely2. The second indeed, that he not absolve another's parishioner, and this is touched on there: But what has been said. And so principally two things are touched on, according to which confession ought to be whole and secret.
TREATMENT OF THE QUESTIONS.
For the understanding of this part, according to the two things which are touched on in the text, two [questions] are principally asked.
First it is asked concerning confession with respect to its manner.
Second indeed it is asked concerning confession with respect to the seal.
Concerning the first, three [questions] are asked.
First it is asked, whether it is permitted to omit some sin in confession3.
Second, whether it is permitted to add [to it].
Third, whether it is permitted to report another's sins.
- 1Dist. XXII. — Codd. ibi.Distinction XXII. — The codices read ibi ["there"].
- 2Edd. ut confessa teneat secrete. Inferius pro secretum quod (codd. omittunt ibi confessio) edd. cum uno alteroque cod. scilicet quod.The [printed] editions read ut confessa teneat secrete ["that he keep secret what has been confessed"]. Further below, for secretum ["the secret"], quod (the codices there omit confessio) the editions, with one or another codex, read scilicet quod ["namely that"].
- 3Edd. hic et infra in ipsa quaestione omittere.The [printed] editions, here and below in the question itself, read omittere ["to omit"].