Index (as printed)

Benevolent Reader. 5

Introduction on pastoral theology. 7

Special introduction on the subject of Penance and on the various categories of penitents. 11

Chapter I

Concerning penitents variously disposed:

QUESTION ONE. Concerning penitents who are to be directed in the examination of conscience. 13

Catalogue of questions and sins. 15

QUESTION TWO. Concerning penitents who are to be questioned. 17

How questioning is to be done. 20

QUESTION THREE. Concerning penitents who are to be instructed and admonished. 24

Admonition concerning onanism. 28

Corollary concerning the uneducated. 29

QUESTION FOUR. Concerning those habituated and relapsed. 31

Cases: 1. concerning a cleric habituated; 2. concerning a drunkard. 41

QUESTION FIVE. Concerning those in occasions. 42

QUESTION SIX. Concerning penitents who are to be obliged or induced to a new or general confession. 50

Manner of hearing a general confession. 55

Chapter II

Concerning various penitents according to the condition of the body:

QUESTION ONE. Concerning children. 59

QUESTION TWO. Concerning the half-witted and concerning the deaf and mute. 64

Note concerning penitents of an unknown language. 66

QUESTION THREE. Concerning adolescents and youths. 66

Observation concerning courtships. 72

Note concerning chastity and the vice of pollution. 75

QUESTION FOUR. Concerning men and women. 76

QUESTION FIVE. Concerning abnormal persons. 82

Observation concerning hysterical persons. 88

QUESTION SIX. Concerning the sick and the dying. 90

Concerning the Sacrament of Penance. 90

Concerning Extreme Unction. 93

Concerning Viaticum. 95

Special cases: 1. concerning a public sinner; 2. concerning a pregnant woman; 3. concerning an impious man; 4. concerning one bound to restitution; 5. concerning one indisposed for the sacraments. 96

Manner of helping the dying. 100

QUESTION SEVEN. Concerning the imprisoned and those condemned to death. 105

Chapter III

Concerning various penitents according to the condition of the soul:

QUESTION ONE. Concerning pious and devout persons. 111

Means of advancing in piety. 114

Note concerning the consolations, desolations, and temptations of pious persons. 123

Admonition concerning false devotees. 125

QUESTION TWO. Concerning the perfect and contemplatives. 126

The threefold grade or way in the pursuit of perfection. 130

The threefold perfect life. 130

Contemplation and the various grades of prayer. 133

Extraordinary gifts of God. 140

Corollary concerning aspiration to the more eminent gifts of God. 142

QUESTION THREE. Concerning those tempted. 143

QUESTION FOUR. Concerning the scrupulous. 149

QUESTION FIVE. Concerning the lax. 160

QUESTION SIX. Concerning worldly persons. 165

Concerning dances. 165

Concerning spectacles. 168

Concerning writings to be read. 169

Note concerning worldly adornment. 171

QUESTION SEVEN. Concerning the learned and persons of distinguished condition. 173

QUESTION EIGHT. Concerning the excommunicated. 177