"To restore them that fall": the Absolution at Morning and Evening Prayer

On this day before Lent, we continue consideration of the Absolution at Morning and Evening Prayer from A Critical and Practical Elucidation of the Morning and Evening Prayer of the Church of England (1796), by clergyman John Shepherd. In his commentary on Prayer Book Mattins and Evensong, Shepherd expounds how the Absolution at the morning and evening offices is an exercise in the presbyteral ministry of reconciliation.

On Shrove Tuesday, Shepherd's words are a reminder there is no need for private absolution (albeit this ministry is available to those who desire it for "quieting of ... conscience, and avoiding of all scruple and doubtfulness"). Those of us who have heard the absolution pronounced at Morning or Evening Prayer on Quinquagesima or the days following, being penitent, have been absolved in preparation for the penitential season.

The Church of England places the Absolution, or Remission of Sins, immediately after the General Confession. The whole congregation having, agreeably to the directions given in the Exhortation, confessed their sins, with an humble, lowly, penitent, and obedient heart, and remaining depressed under the sense of their iniquities, are in a situation, that peculiarly requires the aid of spiritual consolation.

Now therefore is the proper season, for the ambassador of Christ to exercise, the ministry," and to pronounce "the word of reconciliation, given and committed" to him. (2 Cor. v.18,19.) The priest therefore stands up, and pronounces to the people pardon and Absolution ...

Upon the authority of Almighty God, who avows himself the pardoner of iniquity, transgression, and sin, (Exod. xxxiv.7.) and who, for the confirmation of our hope, has sworn by himself, that he desireth not the death of a sinner, but rather that he may be converted and live, (Ezek. xxxiii.11) the minister of the Gospel pronounces this Absolution.

The priests, as the messengers of Christ, are commanded to restore them that fall (Gal. vi.1.) to comfort the feeble minded, (1 Thess. v.14.) and, under the similitude of shepherds, are severely threatened, if through their neglect should perish, any of "the sheep of Christ, whom he bought with his death, and for whom he shed his blood" [from the Ordering of Priests].

That no sinner may despair of mercy, or be discouraged from applying to God for forgiveness, the priest, by virtue of the commission, so often repeated in the Gospel, assures the congregation, that all penitent believers are loosed from the chains of their sins; that their guilt is absolved, and its punishment remitted.

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