NOTES   UPON   RUSSIA.                                 77
any heretical depravity proceeding therefrom, and by the
aforesaid apostolical authority to absolve them, and by way
of exculpation to inflict a salutary penance, or to adopt any
measures which may be deemed necessary in the cases de-
scribed. But since it might perhaps be difficult to convey
this our letter to all the places where it may be needed, we
will and by the same apostolical authority decree, that the
rescript of this our letter be re-copied by the hand of a
notary public, and sealed with the seal of the aforesaid
bishop of Wilna, or some other bishop, or ecclesiastical pre-
late ; and that this copy, or transcript, shall have as much
validity as would be given to the original in every tribunal,
and in every place where it shall be exhibited or declared,
notwithstanding any apostolical institutions, orders, or ordi-
nances whatsoever. Be it understood, therefore, that it shall
not be lawful for any one whatever to infringe, or by any
bold act of temerity to contravene this our letter of constitu-
tion, declaration, exhortation, commission, mandate, conces-
sion, will, and decree : and if any one whosoever shall dare
to attempt this, let him know that he will incur the indigna-
tion of Almighty God, and of the blessed apostles Peter and
Paul. Given at Rome, at St. Peter's, in the year of the in-
carnation of our Lord, 1501, 10° Calend., Septemb. in the
ninth year of our Pontificate.
(tonftmion.
Although confession forms a part of theif religious con-
stitution, the common people nevertheless think it to be
inainly the duty of princes, and to belong especially to
iioble lords and men of exalted rank. Confession is made
about the feast of Easter with great contrition of heart
and reverence,     The  confessor  stands together with the