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

Q. Are not then all they that be in this visible Church, of the number of the elect to everlasting life ? A. Many, by hypo- crisy and counterfeiting of godliness, do join themselves to this fellowship, which are nothing- less than true members of the Church. But, forasmuch as wheresoever the word of God is sincerely taught, and his sacraments rightly ministered, there are ever some appointed to salvation by Christ, we count all that whole company to be the Church of God, seeing that Christ also promiseth that himself will be present with two or three that are gathered together in his name. Nowell, p. 68.

b Sincere preachers ever were and ever shall be, but a few in respect of the multitude to be taught. For our Saviour Christ saith, ” The harvest is plentiful, but the workmen be but few

a The kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, which was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind. Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. So shall it be at the end of the world : the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just. Matt. xiii. 47 — 49. The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field : but while men slept, his enemy came, and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also ■

Let both grow together until

the harvest. Matt. xiii. 24 — 30. The servants went out into the high-ways, and gathered together all, as many as they found, both bad and good. Matt. xxii. 10. In the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own sel ves,covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural

affection, truce-breakers, false ac- cusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of plea- sures more than lovers of God : having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof : from such turn away. 2 Tim. iii. 1 — 5. The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 2 Tim. iv. 3, 4.

b Of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Acts xx. 30. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, trans- forming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel ; for satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. 2 Cor. xi.

the word and sacraments : c yet forasmuch as they do not the same in their own name, but in Christ’s, and do minister by his commission and

which hath been hitherto continually true, and will be to the

world’s end. It appeareth not by any story of credit, that

true and sincere preaching hath endured in any one place above one hundred years. Horn. xiv. 3.

0 Almighty God, who into the place of the traitor Judas didst choose thy faithful servant Matthias to be of the number of the twelve apostles ; grant that thy Church being alway pre- served from false apostles, may be ordered and guided by faith- ful and true pastors, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Coll. for Saini Matthias’s Day.

c M. Dost thou think that we are bound to hear such teachers and expounders ? Even as the Lord himself, if he were pre- sent, so far as they teach only those things which they have received of the Lord ; which himself witnesseth, saying, “He that heareth you heareth me ; he that despiseth you, despiseth me yea, and moreover to those preachers of his word he hath given the power to bind and loose, that whose sins soever they by the word of God shall pardon or detain on earth, the same shall be pardoned or detained in heaven. Nowell, p. 4.

13—15. Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil. John vi. 70. There must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. ICor. xi. 19. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away. John xv. 2. Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife ; and some also of good-will : the one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add afflic- tion to my bonds. Phil. i. 15, 16. There shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders ; insomuch that if it were possible, they shall de- ceive the very elect. Matt. xxiv. 24. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not pro- phesied in thy name ? and in thy name have cast out devils ? and in thy name done wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you ; depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Matt. vii. 22, 23.

c The Scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat : all therefore what- soever they bid you observe, that observe and do •, but do not ye after their works : for they say, and do not. Matt, xxiii. 2, 3. Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves. Heb. xiii. 17. What advantage hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? Much every way : chiefly because that unto them were committed the oracles of God. For what if some did not believe ? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? Rom. iii. 3. Let a man so account of us as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 1 Cor. iv. 1. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord} and our- selves your servants for Jesus’ sake. 2 Cor. iv. 5. Neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth ; but God that giveth the increase. 1 Cor. iii. 7. Unto the pure all things are pure. Tit.

authority, we may use their ministry, both in hearing the word of God, and in the receiving of the sacraments ; d 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 sacra- ments ministered unto them, which be effectual, because of Christ’s institution and promise, al- though they be ministered by evil men.

e Nevertheless it appertaineth to the discipline of the Church, that enquiry 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 judgment be deposed.

d See Articles XXV. XXVII. XXVIII. c See Article XXXIII.

■ They prayed, and said, Thou, gression fell, that he might go to

Lord, which knowest the hearts of his own place. For it is written

all men, shew whether of these two in the book of Psalms, his bi-

thou hast chosen, that he may take shopric let another take. Acts i.24?

part of this ministry and apostle- 25, 20. ship, from which Judas by trans-