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

finallj entertained by the Donatists, that the effect of the acraments were invalidated by the sins of the minister. Against such opinion this Article is directed, as bein^ not only unreasonable in itself, but contrary to the teaching of our Lord and his Apostles^

2. Shew that the wickedness of the ministry can- not reasonably be supposed to vitiate the efficacy of the Sacraments.

Since the ministers of Christ act under his authority, the efficacy of their ministration cannot be impaired by any peroonal failings of their own: and indeed the dischai^e of their commission, as ambassadors of Christ, could not rest on the uncertain foundation of individual worthiness, without continually givicp: rise to the most perplexing difficulties. The Sacraments being f^lsral actSy it cannot be supposed that GK)d8 covenanted mercies will fail through the unwor- thiness of those by whom they are dispensed ; not to men- tion, that as all men are liable to sin, no one, if pin vitiated the Sacraments, would ever be certain whether he had been baptized, or received the Lord8 Supper.

3. May not a like inference be drawn from the Scriptures of the New Testament ?

As the Scribe ’ sat in Moses’ seat,’ our Lord directed his disciples to * observe and do what ther bid them, but not to do alter their works, because they said, and did not’ (Matt, xziii. 2y 3.) In declaring also that ‘he that believed and ’ was baptized should be saved’ (Mark zvi. 16.)) he does not limit the beneficial effect of baptism to those who receive the rite from a worthy minister. The treasure of the Gospel was committed to the priesthood ’ in earthen vessels, that ’ the power might be ot Gkd, and not of men ’ (2 Cor. iv. 5. 7) ; ’ neither is he that planteth any thing, nor he that water- * eth, but God that giveth the increase * (1 Cor. iii. 7.). In- deed, of the twelve Apostles chosen by Christ, one, as he well knew, was * a devil ’ (John vi. 70.) ; and that * Christ was ’ preached, whether in pretence or in truth,’ was to St. Paul a matter of rejoicing (Phil. i. 18.).

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4. What is the teaching of the Church of Rome on the sabject of Sacramental validity t

The Church of Rome allows that the olerical functions are not affected bjr the character of the officiating priest : but she holds an opinion far less tenable, that the intention of the minister is essential to the validity of a Sacrament ^ and that if he repeat the form of words, without intending to administer the rite, the rite is not administered. A notion so absurd carries its own refutation alon? with it ; but a decree to that effect was made in the Council both of Florence and of Trent.

5. Is it not essential that clerical delin- quencies should be punished ; and with whom does the power rest, of adjudging and inflicting the penalty ?

Althoug^h the ministerial functions are not impaired by personal wickedness, and the office^ not the individual, is to be regarded in their exercise ; still the vices of ministers are calculated to create extensive scandal and mischief in the Church, and it is necessary to guaid against the perm- cious effects of iheir evil examples. St Paul directs that an accusation is not to be received against an elder, * but be- ’ fore two or three witnesses : and it is essential to the inter- ests of religion that if, upon * enquiry made,’ the accused ’ be found guilty,’ he ’ be rebuked before all, that others also ’ may fear* (1 Tim. v. 19, 20.) ; or, should the case require it, * be deposed.’ Authority to this extent has always been ves- ted in the Church ; and it is absolutely necessary to the maintenance of order and discipline that it should l>e so.

6. Shew that the Article is confirmed through- out by the opinions and practice of the primitive Church.

God sometimes works, says Chrysostom (in 1 Cor. Horn. 8.), even by those who are unworthy ; nor is the grace o£ Baptism at aU impaired by the l\fe qf the priest. According to St. Ambrose (Epist. 1. ad Chromat.), the merits qf the in- dividuals are not to be regarded, but the functions of the minister. Gregory of Nazianzum (Orat. de Bapt.) maintains that the Baptism qf Peter is no better than that if Judas,

{article XXVII.

illustrating bis assertion by the fact that a seal qf iron gives as pevfeet an imioression as a seal of gold ; and so Augustine (Lit. ret. III. o7.) : — A minister qf the Gospel, wh.4) is also a dispenser of the SacramentSy if he be a good man, is a j^artaker with the Gospel; out if he be a bad man, he u not thertfore no aispenser qf CrocPs word, Peter preaehsd it, as likewise aid other good men; Judas, also preached it, though unwillingly : for the dispensation qf it was committed to him together with them, although they alone have a good reward for dispensing it. And again (c. 110.) : — The condxwt of evil men does not hinder the Sacra- ments of God, so as to annul them, or make them, less holy. See also Tract, in Johan. ]Bv. v. 18. With respect to the latter part of the Article, St Cyprian writes as follows (Enist. 41.) : — As to Felicissimus the deaeon, let him hnow that he is cast out from among us ; inasmuch as, besides the frauds and robberies qf which we know that he is guilty, he is also char- ged with adultery : and this charae some of our brethren, who are grave men, have pledged themselves to make good.