Institutes of the Christian Religion (1559) - John Calvin
Book 3 - How We Receive the Grace of Christ
Chapter 4 - Impurity of Sophists' doctrine of repentance;
discussion of confession and satisfaction
Sections 14-15 - The power of the keys, and absolution
Section 14 - Nature and value of the power of the keys
The minister should exercise the power of the keys by declaring sins forgiven when
1. the whole church confesses
2. an individual confesses publicly.
3. an individual confesses privately.
It is a great comfort to have the minister proclaim absolution from sin after confession - 2 Cor 5:20; John 20:23; Matt 18:18; 9:2.
But we can't "dream up some power" of absolution apart from the Word.
Section 15 - Summary of the Roman doctrine of confession
They require all of age to confess at least once a year to the priest.
They claim Matt 18:18, but can't skirt Isaiah 43:11, 25.
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