"Promulgates the terms of pardon": the Absolution at Morning and Evening Prayer

On this second day of Lent, further words on the Absolution at the daily office from A Critical and Practical Elucidation of the Morning and Evening Prayer of the Church of England (1796), by clergyman John Shepherd.

Echoing Hooker's statement that the Absolution "day by day" in "our publick prayers" applies to those whose confession "hath proceeded from a true penitent mind" (LEP VI.4.15), Shepherd notes the pastoral wisdom in the use of the nominative case in the Absolution:

The priest does not absolve in his own name. He simply promulgates the terms of pardon, granted by the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. That this may be misunderstood by none, is probably one reason, for which our form repeats the nominative case. "He," that is, Almighty God, "pardoneth and absolveth all them that truly repent, and unfeignedly believe his Holy Gospel."

Should there in a mixed congregation be any hypocritical worshipper, whose faith is feigned, and whose confession, and penitence, are insincere, to him the Absolution gives no encouragement. It simply declares to him that there is forgiveness with God, and points out the terms on which it is granted. To those that truly repent, it conveys the strongest assurance of Remission of sins, and acceptance with God.

To those that do not repent, it is an admonition that they should repent, if they desire to be pardoned and forgiven. Whilst it affords to the good, the greatest comfort and support, it gives the wicked no ground either to presume, or to despair. Being publicly pronounced to all, each individual is to take that portion, which peculiarly belongs to himself.

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