Beautiful 1800s Handwritten French Sermon on Roman Catholic Teachings

France. Good with no dust jacket. 1850. Ephemera. On offer is is an excellent explanation of a Roman Catholic teaching in mid-19th century France. The manuscript is titled Instruction – Sur les Qualites de la Confession (Instruction – On the Qualities of Confession). It opens with the Latin quotation of the Biblical verse of John 20: 23 – Quorum remiseritis pecata (sic) et quorum remittuntur eis et quorum retinueritis retenta sunt (Whose sins you shall forgive they are forgiven them, and whose sins you shall retain they are retained). This verse served as a cornerstone of clerical authority for many many centuries and was a source of clerical power, especially among a rural, less-educated population. The author is unknown but clearly a priest. This may have been written as a sermon or perhaps as a talk. Throughout the text, there are corrections, strikeouts and edits which show that this was very much a document that was laboured over. It is an outstanding description of the church’s teaching on this subject and, without doubt, would underline the authoritative role of the clergy. For a social historian, this manuscript gives an excellent insight into the thinking and teaching of the Catholic Church as directed toward its ordinary members on a cornerstone teaching about their authority. This 16 page manuscript is in very good condition. The pages measure 8.25 inches by 5.5 inches and it is 65% complete. The binding is a single thread which is intact. The pages are in good condition and the handwriting is legible. ; 8vo 8" - 9" tall; 16 pages .