Whosoever, therefore, shall confess me before men, him will I confess, also, before my Father which is in heaven.
Matt. x. 32.
For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit; but the Pharisees confess both.
Acts xxiii. 8.
3. To admit as true; to assent to; to acknowledge, as after a previous doubt, denial, or concealment.
I never gave it him. Send for him hither,
And let him confess a truth.
Shak.
As I confess it needs must be.
Tennyson.
As an actor confessed without rival to shine.
Goldsmith.
4. (Eccl.) (a) To make known or acknowledge, as one's sins to a priest, in order to receive absolution; -- sometimes followed by the reflexive pronoun.
Our beautiful votary took an opportunity of confessing herself to this celebrated father.
Addison.
(b) To hear or receive such confession; - - said of a priest.
He . . . heard mass, and the prince, his son, with him, and the most part of his company were confessed.
Ld. Berners.