Imágenes de página
PDF
ePub

accounted for Sacraments of the Gospel, being such as have grown, partly of the corrupt following of the Apostles, partly are states of life allowed in the Scriptures: but yet have not like nature of Sacraments with Baptism and the Lord's Supper, for that they have not any visible sign or ceremony ordained of God.

The Sacrainents were not ordained of Christ to be gazed upon, or to be carried about; but that we should duly use them. And in such only as worthily receive the same, they have a

k

and founder of the holy sacrament of Baptism., Nowell, p. 107.

To administer a sacrament is, by the outward word and element, to preach to the receiver the inward and invisible grace of God; both these exercises (prayer and sacraments) were first instituted, and are still continued, to the end that the congregation of Christ might, from time to time, be put in remembrance of their unity in Christ. Hom. xxi.

k

Amongst the which means is the public celebration of the memory of his precious death at the Lord's table. Which, although it seem of small virtue to some, yet being rightly done by the faithful, it doth not only help their weakness-who be by their poisoned nature readier to remember injuries than benefits-but strengtheneth and comforteth their inward man with peace and gladness, and maketh them thankful to their Redeemer, with diligent care and godly conversation. Thus much more the faithful see, hear, and know the favourable mercies of of God sealed, the satisfaction by Christ towards us confirmed, and the remission of sin established. Here they may feel wrought the tranquillity of conscience, the increase of faith, the

k He that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. Mark xvi. 16. Whosoever shall eat this bread and drink this cup of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the

Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 1 Cor. xi. 27-29.

X

wholesome effect or operation: but they that receive them unworthily, purchase to themselves damnation, as Saint Paul saith.

strengthening of hope, the large spreading abroad of brotherly kindness, with many other sundry graces of God. xxvii. 1. See Art. XXVII. XXVII.

Hom

:

XXVI. Of the Unworthiness of Ministers, which hinders not the effect of the Sacrament.

a

ALTHOUGH in the visible church the evil be

b

ever mingled with the good, and sometime the evil have chief authority in the ministration of

a See Art. XIX.

Q. Are not then all they that be in this visible Church, of the number of the elect to everlasting life? A. Many, by hypocrisy 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 selves,covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural

affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures 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, transforming 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:

с

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. Hom. xiv. 3.

O 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 preserved from false apostles, may be ordered and guided by faithful and true pastors, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Coll. for Saint Matthias's Day.

с

M. Dost thou think that we are bound to hear such teachers and expounders ? S. Even as the Lord himself, if he were present, 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. 1 Cor. 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 affliction 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 deceive the very elect. Matt. xxiv. 24. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied 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 whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. Matt. xxili. 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 ourselves 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.

i. 5.

authority, we may use their ministry, both in hearing the word of God, and in the receiving of the sacraments; 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 sacraments ministered unto them, which be effectual, because of Christ's institution and promise, although they be ministered by evil men.

• 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.

e

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

They prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, that he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by trans

gression fell, that he might go to his own place. For it is written in the book of Psalms,his bishopric let another take. Acts i. 24, 25, 20.

« AnteriorContinuar »