B. Sacraments' were not ordained of CHRIST to be carried about. C. Sacraments were ordained of CHRIST that we should duly use PROP. X. The Sacraments in such only as worthily receive the same, have a wholesome effect or operation. 1. Divine Testimony. A. Old Testament. Prov. xxi. 27, "The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination."-See also Ps. 1. 16. Isa. lviii. 3; lxvi. 3. Jer. vi. 20. B. New Testament. Rom. xiv. 23, "Whatsoever is not of faith is sin."-See also Tit. i. 15. 2. Human Testimony. Fathers. Just. Mart. Dial. cont. Tryph. c. cxxxviii., "For CHRIST, though He was the first-begotten of every creature, and was also again made the beginning of another race, who are regenerated by Him through water and faith and wood." PROP. XI. They that receive the Sacraments unworthily, purchase to themselves damnation, as St. Paul saith. 1. Divine Testimony. New Testament. 1 Cor. xi. 27, "Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the LORD, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the LORD."-See also 1 Cor. xi. 29, 30. 2. Human Testimony. Confessions. 2 Helvetic, c. xiii. 1 Helvetic, Art. xxii. Bo 4 Processions are supposed to have been originated by Pope Agapetus I. 5 Comp. Council of Trent, sess. VII. can. VIII., "If any one shall say, that by the sacraments themselves of the New Law, grace is not given in virtue of the administration of them, (ex opere operato, lit. of the work wrought), but that faith alone in the Divine promise suffices for obtaining grace,-let him be accursed."-See also Catech. part II. § 32. ARTICLE XXVI. ARTICULUS XXVI. De vi Institutionum Divinarum, quod eam non tollat malitia Ministrorum. QUAMVIS in Ecclesia vi sibili bonis mali semper sint admixti, atque interdum ministerio verbi, et Sacramentorum administrationi præsint, tamen cum nonsuo,sedCHRISTI nomine agant, ejusque mandato, et auctoritate ministrent, illorum ministerio uti licet, cum in verbo DEI audiendo, tum in Sacramentis percipiendis. Neque per illorum malitiam, effectus institutorumCHRISTI tollitur,aut gratia donorum DEI minuitur, quoad eos qui fide, et rite sibi oblata percipiunt, quæ propter institutionem CHRISTI, et promissionem efficacia sunt, licet per malos administrentur. Ad Ecclesiæ tamen disciplinam pertinet, ut in malos ministros inquiratur, accusenturque ab his, qui eorum flagitia ARTICLE XXVI. Of the Unworthiness of the Ministers, which hinder not the effect of the Sacraments. ALTHOUGH in the visible Church the evil be ever mingled with the good, and sometime the evil have chief authority in the Ministration of the Word and Sacraments, yet forasmuch as they do not the same in their own name, but in CHRIST's, and do minister by his commission and authority, we may use their Ministry, both in hearing the Word of GOD, and in receiving of the Sacraments. Neither is the effect of CHRIST's ordinance taken away by their wickedness, nor the grace of God's gifts diminished from such as by faith and rightly do receive the Sacraments ministered unto them; which be effectual, because of CHRIST'S institution and promise, although they be ministered by evil men. noverint, atque tandem justo convicti judicio deponantur. The Phraseology of this Article. Nevertheless, it appertaineth to the discipline of the Church, that enquiry be made of evil Ministers, and that they be accused by those that have knowledge of their offences; and finally, being found guilty by just judgment, be deposed. 1. As compared with Article XXVII. of those of 1552. 2. When the Latin and English are compared with each other. De vi institutionum divinarum, præsint quoad eos qui rite Of the unworthiness of Ministers, which hinder not the effect of the Sacraments. have chief authority. in receiving. from such as rightly. Five PROPOSITIONS. I. In the visible Church the evil be ever mingled with the good, and sometime the evil have chief authority in the ministration of the word and sacraments. II. Those evil men who minister the word and sacraments do not the same in their own name, but in CHRIST'S, and do minister by His commission and authority. III. We may use the ministry of evil men both in hearing the word of GOD and in the receiving of the sacraments. IV. The effect of CHRIST's ordinance is not taken away by the wickedness (of evil men); nor the grace of God's gifts diminished from such as by faith and rightly do receive the sacraments ministered unto them, which be effectual, because of CHRIST's institution and promise, although they be ministered by evil men. V. It appertaineth to the discipline of the Church, that enquiry be made of evil ministers, and that they be accused by those that have knowledge of their offences; and, finally, being found guilty by just judgment, be deposed. PROP. I. In the visible Church the evil be ever mingled with the good, and sometime the evil have chief authority in the ministration of the word and sacraments. A. In the visible Church the evil be ever mingled with the good. 1. Divine Testimony. New Testament. Matt. xiii. 24, 25, "Another parable put He forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field but while men slept, his enemy came wheat, and went his : and sowed tares among the way."-See also Matt. iii. 12; vii. 22, 23; xiii. 47, 48, xxii. 13. Rom. ix. 6. 2 Tim. ii. 10. 2. Human Testimony. Confessions. 2 Helvetic, c. xvii. Scotland, Art. xxv. Augsburg, Art. viii. Wirtemburg, Art. xxxii. Sueveland, Art. xv. B. In the visible Church sometime the evil have chief authority in the ministration of the word and sacraments. Divine Testimony. a. Old Testament. Jer. v. 30, 31, "A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; the pro phets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means, and My people love to have it so." -See also Lev. x. 1, 2. 1 Sam. i. 22; viii. 3. Jer. i. 18, 19; v. 31. Lam. iv. 13. Ezek. xx. 26. Hos. vi. 9. Zeph. iii. 4. Mal. ii. 1, 2. b. New Testament. Matt. xxiii. 2, 3, “The Scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: all therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works." -See also John vi. 70. 1 Cor. iii. 7. Phil. i. 15. PROP. II. Those evil men who minister the word and sacraments do not the same in their own name, but in CHRIST'S, and do minister by His commission and authority. Divine Testimony. New Testament. Phil. i. 15, 18, "Some indeed preach CHRIST even of envy and strife; and some also of good will. . . . . What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence or in truth, CHRIST is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice."-See also 1 Cor. iii. 7. PROP. III. We may use the ministry of evil men both in hearing the word of GOD and in receiving of the sacraments. 1. Divine Testimony. New Testament. Matt. xxiii. 2, 3, "The Scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: all therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works."-See also Matt. vii. 22. John iv. 2. Acts iii. 13. 1 Cor. iii. 5. Phil. i. 15-18. 2. Human Testimony. Father. August. cont. Lit. Petil. lib. III. c. lv. PROP. IV. The effect of CHRIST's ordinance is not taken away by the wickedness (of evil men), nor the grace of God's gifts diminished from such as by faith and rightly do receive the sacraments ministered unto them, which be effectual because of CHRIST's institution and promise, although they be ministered by evil men.' 1 According to the decision of the Council of Florence, A.D. 1438, and its confirmation by that of Trent, the validity of a sacrament depends upon the intention of the minister from whom it is received. Council of Trent, Sess. vII. Can. xi., "If any one shall say, that, in the ministers, whilst they perform and communicate the Sacraments, is not required the Intention at least of doing what the Church does,-let him be accursed."-See also Catechism, part II. § 23. |