In the Church of Rome, no priest, regular or secular, can lawfully or validly administer the sacrament of penance without having first obtained permission of the bishop, who has it in his power to limit the permission in any way he likes, and to revoke it when he pleases. This regulation is founded on the pretence of the power to forgive sins having been principally given by our Lord to the apostles themselves, and their successors the bishops, as well as upon the constant practice of the Romish Church.