“An unbeliever who is persuaded that his sect is probable, although the opposite sect may be more probable, would certainly be obliged, _at the point of death_, to embrace the true faith, which he thinks to be the more probable.... _But, except under such circumstances, he would not.... Add to this, that the mysteries of faith are so sublime, and the Christian morals so repugnant to the laws of flesh and blood, that no greater probability whatever may be accounted sufficient to enforce the obligation of believing._[235] “Indeed, while I perceive so many different opinions maintained upon points connected with morality, I think that the Divine providence is apparent; _for, in diversity of opinions, the yoke of Christ is easily borne_.”[236] “A confessor may absolve penitents, according to the probable opinion of the penitent, in opposition to his own, and is even bound to do so.”[237] “Again, it is probable that pecuniary compensation may be made for defamation; it is also probable that it cannot be made. May I, the defamed, exact to-day pecuniary compensation from my defamer, and to-morrow, and even on the same day, may I, the defamer of another, refuse to compensate with money for the reputation of which I have deprived him?... _I affirm that it is lawful to do at pleasure sometimes the one and sometimes the other._ “_Those ignorant confessors are to be blamed who always think that they do well in obliging their penitents to make restitution, because it is at all times more safe._”[238] By this abominable doctrine the confessors were made to answer yes or no, as might be most agreeable to their penitents; and these might oblige the confessor to absolve them of their sins, if they only themselves believed that they were not sins. Imagine what an arrant knave the person inclined to do evil must have become, when, to the firm belief that the absolution of the confessor cleanses from all crimes, was superadded the certainty that this confessor must absolve him almost according to his own wishes. We shudder to think of it!