Catechesis: Confession

Many troubled consciences have derived comfort from our teaching. They have been comforted after they heard that it is God’s command, no, rather, the very voice of the Gospel, that we should believe the Absolution and regard it as certain that the forgiveness of sins is freely granted to us for Christ’s sake. We should believe that through this faith we are truly reconciled to God. This belief has encouraged many godly minds and, in the beginning, brought Luther the highest praise from all good people. This belief shows conscience sure and firm comfort.—Ap XI.58