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

which others labour under; and does not secure them from the com- mon Errors of Human Life: That the Excellency of the Power intrusted to them, may depend upon his Concurrence and Blesling. But we have this Treasure in Earthen QUeslels, that the Excellency of the Power may be of God, and not of

us.

Which may help us to understand the Twenty Sixth Article, which says; © Although in the Visible Church, the Evil be ever „ mingled with the Good, and sometimes the Evil have chief Au- * thority in the Ministration of the Word and Sacraments ; yet e 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, and in re- celving the Sacraments : Neither is the Effect of Christ’s Ordi- e nance taken away by their Wickedness, nor the Grace of God’s “ Gifts diminish’d from such, as by Faith, and rightly do receive © the Sacraments minister’d unto them; which are effectual, be- e cause of Christ’s Institution and Promise, although they be mi- nister’d by evil Men. Nevertheless it appertaineth to the Disci- ce pline of the Church, that Enquiry be made of evil Ministers, and * that they be accus’d of those that have Knowledge of their Of-

< fences, and finally, being found guilty, by just Judgment be de- pos d“. Let us Consider,

I. That in the Visible Church, there are always good and bad: In the Visible Church, the Evil be ever mingled with the Good. 5 Ty 1

II. That sometimes the Evil are entrusted with the chief Autho- rity and Government in it : And sometimes the Evil have chief Authority in the Ministration of the Word and Sacra- ments.

III. We

, EXPOSITION of the

Article XXVI.

III. We may use the Ministry of such evil Men, without Injury to our Souls : Foralnach 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 the Sacraments.

IV. The good Effects of the Word and Sacraments are not taken away by their Ministry : Neither is the Effect of Christ’s Or- dinance taken away by their Wickedness, nor the Grace of God’s Gifts Anise from such, as by Faith, and rightly do receive the Sacraments ministred unto them; which are effe- Qual, because of Christ’s Institution and Promise, although

they be administred by evil Men. 7% 9

V. Yet it is necessury that evil Ministers be censur’d, and being found guilty , depos’d : It appertaineth to the Discipline of the Church, that Enquiry be made of evil Ministers, and

that they be accused of those, that have knowledge of their

Offences, and finally being found Guilty, by just Judgment be depos’d. |

I. In the Church there are always good and bad: The Evil are

ever mingled with the Good, and sometimes it is difficult to discern

one from another. There will be Tares and Wheat growing in the same Field, and there is no separating of them, till the Harvest : And there will be Fish good and bad taken in the same Net ; and there is no parting, till they are are drawn Ashore. When the Day of Judgment is come, there will be express Orders given to make a Separation ; in the mean Time they must be permitted to mingle, and to crowd together, and we cannot help it. ‘The Angels at last shall have a Commission to gather the Wheat into the Garner, to

bind up the Tares by themselves, and to burn them up with the

Chaff with unquenchable Fire. Tis in vain therefore to expect a Church free from corrupted Members; or to think it can be made purer than the present State will allow, or to seek for a Communion that is unmixed, undefiled, and made up of Saints only. That Happiness 1s reserv’d for the other World; but in this we must take Men as they are, Good and Bad, Sincere and Hypocrites, Holy and Wicked one with another; for it is not in our Power to know the Heart, or to search out the hidden Intentions of the Soul: if they are as good as they pretend to be, let us thank God for it; but if

they appear better than they are, be it to themselves, they stand be-

fore their great Lord, who will bring to light the Secrets of the

Matt. 13. 28,

Heart, and then shall every one be known to be what he is; and if good, shall have praise of God. The Servants said unto him, wilt thou that we go, and gather them uh? But he said, Nay, lest whilst

ye gather up the Tares, ye root up also the Wheat with them.

II. Sometimes the Evil are entrusted with the chief Authority and Government in the Church, in the Administration of the Word and Sacraments ; for though they are admitted into the Ministry, they are not secur’d from Sin, but stand by Faith as well as others; and

when

Thirty Nine ARTICLES.

when Temptations arise, are as liable to fall. Hence it has hap- pen’d, that many ordain’d for the Work of the Ministry, have not proved the best Men. And notwithstanding their evil Behaviour, what by some powerful Interest, which values the Man more than his Morals, or what by some strange conjunction of Favour, have been raised with their Vices to the highest Seats in the Church, have been entrusted with the chiefest Authority and Power; and have had the Management of the Word and Sacraments, and the com- mand over the Servants of Christ. Our Lord himself had a Fudas amongst his Apostles ; and there is scarcely a Bishop’s Chair through- out the World, but what at one time or other hath been filled with evil Men, Haughty and Powerful. The Catalogue of Popes affords us abundance, beliges Silvester and Hildebrand. The See of Can- terbury has had a Becket ; the Diocese of London a Bonner. And amongst the inferior Clergy not a few have dishonour’d their Holy Calling, and shown themselves unworthy of cheir Ministration. And how can it be otherwise, when there is such a vast Multitude attending the e and have this Treasure in Earthly Ves- sels? Neither are those that dissent from us excusable in this Re- spe, as much as they value themselves for Holiness. For many of their Teachers have prov’d the vilest of Men, and a Shame to their Followers: However, Vice is excusable in none; and if any are like to fare worse in the great Day, doubtless such as are bound to teach others, and are wicked themselves, shall bear their Burthen. Hut and if that Servant say in his Heart, My Lord delayeth bis coming, and shall begin to beat the Men Servants, and Maidens, and to eat, and drink, and to be drunken : The Lord of that Servant will come in a Day when he looketh not for him, and in an Hour when he is not aware, and will cut him asunder, and appoint him his Portion with Unbelievers. ne „„

III. We may use the Ministry of such evil Men without Injury to our Souls; for as they act not in their own Name, but in Christ’s, and administer by his Commission and Authority, we may joyn with them, and expect the Divine Blessing upon their Labours; for the Word is Christ’s Word which they preach; the Sacraments are

Christ’s Sacraments which they Administer; and he my prosper his Word, and succeed his Sacraments, though evil Men should be the

Ministers. The Gospel was the same out of the Mouth of Judas,

as out of the Mouth of James or John. And Truth is the fame

when it falls from the Lips of a vile Man, as when a Saint pronoun-

ces it. The Personal Faults of no Man can render his Office ineffe- Qual. An ordinary Constable has the Power, though he should be Wicked ; and a vicious Courtier may bring a Proclamation of Par-

don to Rebels, as well as a good one; and the Pardon is of as much Force, as if it came by a better Hand. When therefore God

sends those to warn his People, and to invite them to Mercy, who remain Evil, God’s Promises are as effectual, mention’d by such, as when delivered by one that is Holy, and without Rebuke ; for the

Promises depend not upon his Man’s Qualifications, but upon the 5 Veracity

Luke 12. 45,

An EXPOSITION & the

Article XXVI.

Veracity and Power of God. His Truth 1s establish’d as the Moun- tains, his Power all-sufficient , though the Men that proclaim it are not so dutiful as they should be; we may use their Ministry, foras- much as they do not Minister in their own Name, but in Christ’s,

and by his Authority.

Psal. 30. 16.

1. We may safely use the Ministry of Evil Men, forasmuch as they Minister not in their own Name; and their Personal Faults are no reasonable Prejudice against the Service of God; there is no reason that the worst Sins of an evil Man should hinder the Ser- vice of Christ, or that his Name and Cause should suffer upon the Minister’s Account. Who would be content, that his Meslage should be lighted, because the Messenger has his Faults 2 Or can think it reasonable, that the King’s Authority should be despis’d, because the Officer invested with it, is an ill Man? Evil Men shall answer for the Evil done by them ; but the Word of Eternal Life cannot be polluted by Evil Ministers ; neither may the Authority of God be disregarded, because under their Management. Be the Man what he will, he is God’s Minister to thee for Good; he has the Mes- sage of Life and Death ; and it behoves thee to attend to what he says. And if he will not live according to his own Doctrine, be it

to himself. He may hear what God says especially to him: But

unto the wicked, God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my Sta-

zutes ; or that thou shouldest take my Covenant in thy mouth 2

2. Evil Ministers preach in the Name of Christ, and administer the Sacraments by his Commission : They have express Order from

him to do thus, and officiate for him: And however odd it ma

seem, that an evil Man should be a Messenger from the Holy Jesus ;

yet since he permits such to bear this Character, we are to look up to

1 Cor. 5. 20.

him that sends, as chiefly concern’d, and may not quarrel at the Messenger. If he thought fit that no evil Man should be concern’d

in his Ministration, he could easily, either by his Providence prevent it, or by his Grace make him better. But he is willing to try the Minister as well as People; and to see how faithful all will be in their Stations. If Ministers will fo far forget themselves and their Duty, as to remain vicious, their Lord will account with them ; but in the mean while they are his Servants, his Lot, and his In- heritance ; and though very bad, are appointed to set Life and Death

before you. The Scribes and Pharisees were ill Men, and yet be-

cause they fate in Moses’s Chair, our Saviour enjoins his Disciples to hear them. Many of the Priests were wicked , and yet were al- lowed to stand before the Altar , and to officiate in the Temple. And if under the Gospel, some Ministers are ill Men, they fit as in the Chair of Christ, are his Ambassadors, and the Word of God deliver’d by them, is of as much Force, as if spoke by an Angel. Now then we are Ambassadors for Christ , as though God did beseech you by us, we pray you in.Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.

IV. The good Effects of God’s Word and Sacraments are not taken away by their Ministry. For the Efficacy of his Ordi- nances depends upon his Institution and Promise, and not upon the

Mo-

*, &

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Thirty Nine ARTICLES. 177

Morals of Men. If therefore Men come to hear the Word of God, Article and to partake of his Sacraments, with a prepared Disposition of XXVI. Mind, they may experience the Assistance of Grace, and find a- ceptance, though they are under an evil Minister. Thus when a vicious Man prays fervently, preaches found Doctrine, and with all Reverence and Gravity administers the Sacraments, the Auditor may profit by him, through the Grace of God , because he does God’s Work ; and the Succels is left to God, which 1s oftentimes considerable under such Instruments. Besides, tis so hard a Matter to know a good and holy Man, that if Evil might hinder the Opera- tions of Grace, the Congregation would be at a Loss concerning their Minister ; because not able to discern the Heart, or to distin- guish the Hypocrite from the Sincere : For he that is reputed good, may for ought they know, be an evil Man; and he that is called (through Slander) evil, may be a good Man ; and they may not be able to discover the one from the other: And then the Ministry of the Hypocrite must be as dangerous, as the Ministration of the Vi- cious ; and the Evil in one, as hurtful as in another; the same, known or unknown. And the People cin never be sure, that they serve God acceptably, unless they could discern the Hearts of all that minister unto them. To prevent this Distraction and Mischief, God permits evil Men, as well as good, to remain in the Miniltry, and _ obliges the People to mind his Will, and to regard his Word more than the Faults of the Minister. Thus a serious Regard to his Laws may reform them, and perhaps shame their Pastors into better Man- ners. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter in- to the Kingdom of Heaven, but he that doth the Will of my Father, which is in Heaven. After all,

Matt. 7. 21.

V. It is necessary that evil Ministers be censured, and when found

guilty, that they be depos’d by just Judgment. For when Mini- sters become scandalous in Life, and offensive to the Flock of Christ ; when they are Examples in Sin, which should be Patterns of Righ- teousness ; when the People despise the Service of God upon their Account, and encourage themselves in their Wickedness by their Vi- ces; it is necessary that they should be accus’d by those that have

perfect Knowledge of their Crimes, and that they be censur’d and punish’d : But then it is fit and just that the Accusers be Men of So- briety and Charity; that they be not ated with Prejudice and fa- ctious Zeal ; that they be not haughty and disdainful, such as may defame the Innocent, blacken the Worthy, and out of Design accuse the Modest and Best ; but such as truly and really aim at God’s

Glory, and the Credit and Honour of the Church: And if such find the Ministry blameable, the Church is ready to censure, and is not willing that any should perish, (through the Vices of the Mini- ster) for whom Christ died; but desirous that such being found guil- ty be depos’d, after a fair Hearing. Against an Elder receive not an Accusation, but before two or three Witnesses,

1 Tim. 5. 19.

A a From

• tf ry

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178 An EXPOSITION of the Article From this Explanation of the Article, consider, That there is no XXVI. Separation to be made upon Earth, of the Good and Evil ; That ve had better mend our selves than complain against the Ministry ; That our Church is ready to punish those that are scandalous. 1. Since the Good and Evil ate mingled in the Church, there is no Separation to be made upon Earth; it is so difficult to discerh the Hypocrite from the Saint , that it is not to be done here. We may indeed refuse the Conversation of those that are scandalous, in our private Capacity, and our Church allows us to deny them the Fa- crament : But it is impossible to separate the Good from the Evil ; That is in his Power alone, who will place the Sheep on his Right Hand, and the Goats on the Left: But it is beyond our Power to know the Hearts of Men, and we cannot make a Separation : We are therefore bound in Charity to believe the best of every Man, till plain notorious Facts oblige us to change our Minds; for the modest silent Christians may be the best, and the noisy and zealous may be the most suspicious ; we must judge nothing before the Time; and allowing the good and bad in the same Communion, must labour to bring them all to Repentance, and fo to Christ. Those therefore that make a Separation for purer Worship, usurp the Place of Angels too soon, and have discover’d their Mistake ; theit Society remains mix’d, and the Faults of their Brethren may as much defile them at the Sacrament, as the Faults of others. Therefore judge nothing before the Time, until the Lord come, who will bring to light the hidden Things of Darkness, and will make manifest the 2 of the Hearts, and then shall every Man have Praise of 2. We had better mend our Lives, than complain of the Mini- stry. For ye are upon your Trial and good Behaviour as well as they ; and if they be to blame, your Accusation of them will not make you better : The worst of them preach the Word of Recon- ciliation, and the Grace of God worketh with them. Be not there- fore fo intent upon their Faults, as mindful of their Advice; nor fo prying into their Behaviour, as attentive to their Message ; for if ye submit to God’s Will, they may be Instruments of doing you Good, whilst they neglect themselves. I could wish that no Offence of that Nature might be given, and that Minister and People might serve God acceptably with Reverence and Godly Fear. But since it will happen that Offences come, and that the Ministry in a factious Age will be blamed, 1 must request you to regard your own Welfare most, and to provide for your own Happiness ; for whether we are blameable or not, it will neither hurt nor profit you. If we do our Duty, ye must answer for your selves; if we do not our Duty, your Condition will not be the better: Whether we are good or evil Men, it will not further or hinder you in the Day of Judgment. Look then at Home, into your own Hearts and Lives, and think not your selves excusable, if you can accuse your Minister. For as ye live, ye will die and be judged. If your Minister shou’d be overtaken with a Fault, it is your Part to cover and conceal ; there are enough besides, that will upbraid and condemn him ; but if he 1s harmless

and

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1 Cor. 4.5.

[…] +

| — and holy, his supposed Fault cannot alter the State of your Souls, Article or condemn him. All that we can do, is to do our best to act for XXVI. the Honour of our Order, If others will discredit it, we cannot ‘—W— help it, and shquld not suffer for it. Giving no Offence in any thing, 2 Cor. 6. 3. that the Ministry be not blamed. 3

3. Our Church is sensible of the Discredit Evil Ministers may bring upon her Communion; and is ready, upon a just Proof, and fair Hearing, to punish those that are scandalous. She is willing to believe, that her Admonitions may take place, her Censures may corre&, her Suspensions may reclaim ; and is inclin’d to shew Mer- cy, upon Humiliation, and External Signs of Repentance. And as she is not harsh and unmerciful to the Laity , she is prone to dis- cover the Compassion of a Tender Mother to her Penitent Clergy. But when the Case is notorious, and all Lenity proves ineffectual; | she is willing to depose Evil Ministers, by just Judgments. We Have Reason, therefore, to admire at the Patience and Forbearance of our Church ; and instead of calling for Severity, should commend her Government. She will spare while she may, and punish when she must, We Ministers are unto God a sweet Savour of Christ, in 2 cor. 2, 15, them that are saved, and in them that perish. To the one, we are the 16. Savour of Death umo Death; to the other, the Savour of Life unto Life. And who sufficient for these Things? e

Thirty Nine ARTICLES.

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XXVIL a goth On oi

Ax TICLE XXVII.