Synopsis papismi, that is, A generall viewe of papistry wherein the whole mysterie of iniquitie, and summe of antichristian doctrine is set downe, which is maintained this day by the Synagogue of Rome, against the Church of Christ, together with an antithesis of the true Christian faith, and an antidotum or counterpoyson out of the Scriptures, against the whore of Babylons filthy cuppe of abominations: deuided into three bookes or centuries, that is, so many hundreds of popish heresies and errors. Collected by Andrew Willet Bachelor of Diuinity.

THE THIRD PART, OF THE INSTRVMENTALL cause of the Sacraments, that is, the lawfull Minister.

SOme things are yeelded vnto of both sides: First, that no man ought to take vpon him to administer the Sacraments, vnlesse he be thereunto lawfully cal∣led and ordeined by the Church, sauing that they make exception of Baptisme, which in case of necessity, as they teach, may be giuen by the hands of lay men or women: but of this matter we shall haue fitter occasion afterward to consi∣der. Secondly it is agreed, that the efficacy or vertue of the Sacrament, depen∣deth not of the faith or honesty of the Minister: but a faithfull man may receiue the sacrament worthily, euen at the hands of an vnworthy Minister.

The Papists.

THe point of difference betweene vs, is this: They do teach that the efficacie, [error 90] perfection, and being of the Sacrament, doth necessarily depend of the in∣tention of the Minister, so that they holde it to be no sacrament, if the Minister haue not, Intentionem faciendi, quod facit ecclesia, A full purpose and intent in ministring the Sacrament, to doe that which the Church doth, that is, to conse∣crate the elements, and to make a Sacrament, Trident. concil. sess. 7. canon 11. Bellarm. cap. 27. So that by this rule, if the Ministers intention be not wholy vpō the busines he hath in hand, it shall be no Sacrament.

Argum. If the Ministers intention were not necessary to make a sacrament, when it chaunceth that the gospell is read at the table by a Minister, there be∣ing both bread and wine set before them, and he in reading saith, This is my body, and This is my blood, straightwaies all that bread & wine should be con∣secrate, and become a sacrament, but because his intention is wanting, it is none▪ Bellarm. ibid.

Ans. 1. But what if the Minister should haue a fantastical conceite and intent, as he readeth, to consecrate all the bread & wine vpon the table, then it should seeme by your rule, that it must needs be a sacrament, which were euen as ab∣surd a thing as the other? 2. There are other lets & impediments, from hauing a sacrament at the table, thē the intention of the minister being wanting or kept back: for the elements are not consecrated, nor the Sacrament made by the bare pronouncing of the words: but the whole institutiō ought to be obserued: there must be eating, drinking, taking, and doing al in the remēbrāce of the death of Christ: there must be distributing, receiuing, inuocatiō, thākesgiuing: the whole action in the sacramēt, is the cōsecration therof: these things thē being wāting,

there can be no Sacrament.

The Protestants.

IF the Sacrament be administred aright according to the institution of Christ, whatsoeuer the Minister be, howsoeuer affected, be he neuer so prophane in his hart, without any godly purpose or intention: yet to the worthie receiuer it ceaseth not to be a Sacrament, Caluin. in antidot. concil. Tridentin. sess. 7. canon 11.

Argum. 1. The word of God, with what intention soeuer it be preached, yet may haue his effect, and worke faith in the hearer. So Christ be preached (saith S. Paul) whether vnder pretence, or sincerely, I therein ioy, Philip. 1.18. Ergo the Sacraments also may haue their efficacie, without the intent of the Minister. argum. Lutheri.

Argu. 2. If the effect of the Sacrament consisteth vpon the intention of the Minister, then should euery man be vncertaine whether any thing be wrought in him, or he haue receiued any benefit by the Sacrament, because he knoweth not the intent of another mans hart, and so should he be depriued of the spiritu∣all comfort, which he might reape by the Sacrament, Caluin.

* 1.1Augustine saith: Sacramentum Baptismi tam sacrum est, vt nec homicida vel ebrioso ministrante polluatur: The Sacrament of Baptisme is so holy, that it cannot, either by a murtherer or drunken person ministring it, be defi∣led. And I pray you, is it not like to be a good intention, that should enter into the harts of such lewd and wicked men? Therfore without any good intention, euen by the hands of such, may the Sacraments be giuen.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Tractat▪ 5. in Iohan.