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

JL HE enormous and public vices of the Roman clergy, at the time of ,the Reformation, gave great offence, and caused the revival of the toiet of the antient Donatists, that not only heresy and schism, but personal sins also, invalidated the sacred functions of Christian ministers. This opinion was maintained by the Anabaptists (a) ; but it was by no means general among Pro* testants ; it was not adopted by Luther ox Calvin ; it was condemned in the Confession of Augsbourg (b)j and in that of the Hdvetic churches; and it is rejected by our church in this article.

Although it is peculiarly incumbent upon the ministers and dispensers of God’s holy word and sacraments to be virtuous and exemplary in their conduct, yet as they are not ex^pt from the infirmity of human nature, it will sometimes happen that their lives are not suitable to their

holy

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(b) Damnant Donatistas, at similes qui negabant liitere populo uti ministerio in ecelesia, et sentiebant Quniaterium malorom inutile et inefficax esse.

ART. XXVI.] Thirty-mne Articles. 445

holy profession ; but in that case, since they are appointed by proper authority, and exercise their functions not in their own name, but in Christ’s, we may use their ministry, both IN hearing the word of god, and in RECEIVING OF THE SACRAMENTS. Attendance upon the public service of God is the duty of every Christian, and the personal ‘faults of the ministers by no means justify us in absenting Cfurselves from it ” The Scribes and Pharisees,” says our Saviour, ’^ sit in Moses’s seat ; all there-* fore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do ; but do not ye after their works; for they say, and do not (cy In the same man- ner Christians are bound to observe whatever their ministers shall ddiver out of the word of God, and to consider every holy ordinance as valid, which they shall perform agreeably to the institution of Christ, although in their charac- ters, and in the disagreement betwem their lives and doctrine, they shall resemble the Scribea and Pharisees.

Neither is the effect of Christ’s ordi- nance TAKEN AWAY BY THEIR WICKEDNESS, NOR THE GRACE OF GOD’s GIFTS DIMINISHED

(c) Matt c 93. V. a fc 3.

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thesi, which be effectual because of Christ’s institution and promise, al^ though they be ministered by evil men. The sacraments are foederal acts which it pleased our Saviour to institute, and to the due receiving of which he has annexed certain benefits ; but it is QO where said in Scripture, nor is it agreeable to reason, that the efficacy of these holy ordi- nances should in any degree depend upon tlie worthiness of those who administer them. If the faults of ministers vitiate the Sacraments, no one can tell whether he has received the Lordls Supper, or whether he was baptized or not.

Though the church of Rome agrees with us in the doctrine of this article, yet it maintains that the intention of the minister is essential to a Sacrament ; that is, if a minister goes through all the forms of administering Baptism or the Lord’s Supper, and does not in his own mind intend to administer it, it is in fact no Sacrament This is expressly asserted both in the councils of Florence and Trent; but it is an opinion so manifestly absurd, that it is unnecessary to say any thing in refutation of it.

Nevertheless it appertaineth to the

DISCIPLINE OF the CHURCH, THAT ENQUIRY LEDGE

ART. XXVI.] Thirty-nine Articles. 447

LEDGE OF THEIR OFFENCES ; AND FINALLY

BE DEPOSED. When ministers, who ought to be patterns of righteousness, become examples of sin, the church has power to enquire into their conduct : and it is incumbent .on those who are competent to it, to give testimony ag^st them: and if the nature of their offence shall require it, the church may depose them from their sacred office. An authority of this kind has been from the earliest times vested in the church, and it is absolutely necessary for its good government and well-being. There is no one point in which the interest of religion is more deeply concerned, than in the morals and conduct of its ministers.

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