6
observations and statements^ however, to that
effect, wan not be without their use.
The power of absolving from sin in general,
or firom any particular sin, upon considerations
deemed equivalent or satisfactory, comes under
the general head of Indulgences, which the
later Bishops, or Pontiffs, of Rome, claim the
prerogative of dispensing, on grounds, which
themselves have stated. The species of Indul-
gence known by the name of Jubilee, and which
from being at first celebrated at the interval of
fifty years, then at that of thirty-three, and
afterwards, which has continued with one ex-
ception to the present time, at that of a quar-
ter of a century, is allowed, without dispute,
to have been first instituted by Boniface VIII.
in the year 1300. In the short Bull appointing
this first Jubilee, the Pontiff begins by affirm-
ing, — ^that, antiently, to the visitors of St*
Peter's Church there were conceded great
remissions and indulgences of sins — ^that these
are renewed by him — and that this, and every
future hundredth year, he (and his successors
it is presumed; " have granted and will grant^
not only a fall and abundant, but the fhllest
pardon of all the sins" of those who are truly
penitent and confess^non solum plenam et
