A man cannot "walk in the Spirit" unless
he is inwardly "right with GOD."
With regard to sacramental confession, the rule of the Church of
England is sane and clear. It may be expressed by saying that "none
_must_, but all _may_, and some _should_" make use of it. In the case
of a conscience seriously burdened in such a way that a man hesitates
to present himself for Holy Communion unabsolved, to go to confession
is obviously the right remedy. There are other cases in which men find
by experience that it helps them to be more honest and candid with
themselves, with GOD, and with the Church, if they go to confession
from time to time as a piece of self-discipline and a needed spiritual
tonic. Yet others discover that they flounder less in spiritual
things, and that their religious life is deepened and made stronger,
if they place themselves for a time under wise direction. Systematic
direction, of course, has obvious dangers. It may tend to destroy
independence of character. It may cause a man to become "priest-
ridden." But the dangers are not inevitable, and there are without
doubt cases in which it is of value.
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