remove from thee the burning flames.  For confession has power to quench even fire, power to tame even lions135.” The confession to which Cyril attaches so high a value, whether made in the privacy of solitude, or openly before the Ministers of the Church and the Congregation, is a confession to God, and not to man.  “Having therefore, brethren, many examples of those who have sinned and repented and been saved, do ye also heartily make confession unto the Lord136.”  Elsewhere he expressly disclaims the necessity of private confession to man:  “Not that thou shouldest shew thy conscience to me, for thou art not to be judged of man’s judgment; but that thou shew the sincerity of thy faith to God, who trieth the reins and hearts, and knoweth the thoughts of men137.”  He also limits the season of confession and repentance to this present life:  “Therefore the just shall then offer praise; but they who have died in sins have no further season for confession138.” § 3.  Exorcism.  One of the earliest ceremonies, after the registration of names, was Ex- orcism, which seems to have been often repeated during the Candidate’s course of prepara- tion.  “Receive with earnestness the exorcisms:  whether thou be breathed upon or exorcised, the act is to thee salvation139.” The power of casting out devils, promised by our Lord140, and exercised by Apostles141, and by Philip the Deacon and Evangelist142, was long regarded in the early Church as a direct gift still bestowed by the Holy Ghost, apart from any human ordinance.  Justin Mar- tyr143, Tertullian144, Origen145, all speak of exorcism as being practised by laymen, even by soldiers, and women, by means of prayer and invocation of the name of Jesus.  Accordingly “an Exorcist is not ordained, for it is a gift of the spontaneous benevolence and grace of God through Christ by visitation of the Holy Ghost.  For he who has received the gift of healing is declared by revelation from God, the grace which is in him being manifest to all146.”  When the extraordinary gift was found to have been withdrawn, exorcists are mentioned 135 Cat. ii. 15.  For similar statements, see Cat. i. 2; ii. 19, 20, &c. 136 Cat. ii. § 20. 137 Ib. v. § 2. 138 Ib. xviii. 14. 139 Procat. § 9. 140 Mark xvi. 17; Luke ix. 1; x. 17. 141 Acts v. 16; xvi. 18; xix. 12. 142 Acts viii. 7. 143 Apologia I. §§ 6, 8; Tryph. lxxxv. 144 De Idolol. c. xi.; de Corona Mil. xi.; de Anima, lvii. de Spectac. xxvi.; de Præscript. Hæret. xli. 145 Contra Celsum, vii. c. 57. 146 Const. Apost. viii. 26. 32 Special Preparation for Baptism.