Penitential (Codex Pmenitentialis) is an ecclesiastical book in the Romish Church which contains everything relating to the imposition of penance (q.v.) and the reconciliation of penitents (q.v.). It appoints the time and manner of penance to be regularly imposed for every sin, and forms of prayer that are to be used for the receiving of those who entered upon penance, and reconciling penitents by solemn absolution; a method chiefly introduced in the time of the degeneracy of the Church. There are various penitentials, as the Roman Penitential, and the Penitentials of Bede, and of Theodore of Tarsus, archbishop of Canterbury, etc.
The Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature was edited by John McClintock and James Strong. It contains nearly 50,000 articles pertaining to Biblical and other religious literature, people, creeds, etc. It is a fantastic research tool for broad Christian study.
John McClintock was born October 27, 1814 in Philadelphia to Irish immigrants, John and Martha McClintock. He began as a clerk in his father's store, and then became a bookkeeper in the Methodist Book Concern in New York. Here he converted to Methodism and considered joining the ministry. McClintock entered the University of Pennsylvania in 1832 and graduated with high honors three years later. Subsequently, he was awarded a doctorate of divinity degree from the same institution in 1848.WikipediaRead More