Jones on Article XXVI: Of the Unworthiness of the Ministers, which hinders not the effect of the Sacrament

” And yet as long as they minister the word of God or his sacraments, or any thing that God hath ordained to the salva- tion of mankind, wherewith God hath promised to be present, to woi-k with the ministration of the same to the end of the world, they be to be heard, to be obeyed, to be honored for

God’s ordinance sake, which is effectual and fruitful, whatso- ever the minister be, though he be a devil, and neither church,

nor member of the same, as Origen saith, and Chrysostom ;

but there is required a judgment to discern when they minister

God’s word and ordinance of the same, and there own and

ye know that to follow the blind guides is to come into the pit with the same.” — To Sir Edw. Baynton.

” The ministers, you see should teach the right way. He which beareth that name and performeth not this office, is but an ’ idol.’ ’ Let another take his bishopric.’ Such drones were better smothered than suffered in that hive, where none should live that will not labour. Such as sow not why should they reap ? Neither is it any new thing to cast out unworthy ministers who cast off care of their duty. Solomon deposed Abiathar the high priest : and Justinian deprived Sylverius and Vigilius, bishops of Rome. These are good precedents for princes in like case to follow.” — Ser. 1 Sam. xii. 23, 24.

” Whereas they require the intent of the priest to consecrate Christ’s body ; forasmuch as we know not any man’s intent (God only knoweth the heart,) yea, the words we know not, they are so spake in hucker mucker; I pray you, in what a doubtfulness are we brought, whether it be a sacrament or not ! In what peril are we of worshipping a piece of bread for our Christ. Is not this, trow you, sweet and comfortable gear, that a man shall always stand in doubt whether he have received the sacrament or no ?” — The Carrying of Christ’s Cross.

” Whether the evilness of the minister do defile his

ministery and God’s sacraments which he ministers. First, mark, that the minister, if he be a drunkard, an adulterer, or covetous, &c. he doth not hurt the strength of the sacrament

which he ministers ; neither yet defiles any man that receiveth

at his hands ; but to himself he ministers damnation If we

should flee ministers because of their sin, whom shall we then hear ? for who wants sin ? So in preaching as long as they say true, hear them, though their doctrine condemn themselves : for Christ saith, ’ In Moses’ chair sit the Scribes and Pharisees ; do as they bid and teach you, but do not as they do.’ So he that is baptized of an evil minister is as well baptized as he that receives it of the good, and as much doth it profit him : or else so much difference should be betwixt their baptisms, as is betwixt the goodness of the ministers ; and the baptism of the better minister should exceed the baptism of the worse ; and then might we well say, 1 I am Paul’s, I am Apollos’, I am Cephas’ which Paul forbids. The goodness of baptism hangs upon God, who did institute it, and not on the minister which gives it.” — Exp. on Aggeus.

” But where doth this church of England allow any woman to baptize, or deacon to celebrate the Lord’s Supper ? And if it did, the dignity of the sacraments do not depend upon the man, be he minister or not minister, be he good or evil.” — Defence of the Answer.

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