Jackson on Article XXVI: Of the Unworthiness of the Ministers, which hinders not the effect of the Sacrament
Bernard C. Jackson, 1900
Commentaries on Article XXVI: Rogers (1607)Ellis (1660)Burnet (1699)Beveridge (d. 1708)Welchman (1713)Practical Exposition (1716)Veneer (1725)Madan (1772)Hey (1796)Tomline (1799)Wilson (1821)Jones (1849)Trollope (1850)Browne (1850)Forbes (1867)Boultbee (1871)Maclear & Williams (1895)Green (1896)Gibson (1896)Jackson (1900)Bicknell (1919) · Article 26: text, context and Study
Article XXVI. Of the Unworthiness of the Ministers, which hinders not the effect of the Sacrament
Although in the visible Church the evil be ever mingled with the good, and sometimes 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.
Nevertheless, it appertaineth to the discipline of the Church, that inquiry 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 judgement be deposed.
Text: Book of Common Prayer (1662)
Cleaned OCR; [...] marks passages cut for illegibility. See the scan. Text: The Thirty-nine Articles: a short exposition, by Bernard C. Jackson (London: Church Book Room, 1900). Short notes on each Article. Cleaned OCR from the Internet Archive scan; passages too garbled to recover are marked [...]. Public domain.
This Article seems to be introduced here to answer a question which might naturally arise from the closing statement of Article XXV. If the effect of the Sacraments depends upon their worthy reception, does.it also depend upon their worthy administration? To that question Ana- baptists answered ‘‘ Yes.’’ But this Article answers *‘ No.’’ It admits that there may some- times be unworthy ministers. It emphasises the duty of the Church to exercise a godly discipline with regard to them. But it asserts that “‘ the effect of Christ’s ordinance (is not) taken away by theiy wickedness.’’ For on the one hand they do not act in their own name but in Christ’s; and, on the other, the efficacy of the Sacraments’ de- _ pends on “‘ Christ’s institution and promise.”’
ARTICLE XXVII. Or Baptism.
Read at the Internet Archive: https://archive.org/details/thirtyninearticl0000jack