The wickednes of the Ministers doeth not take awaye the effectuall operation of gods ordynaunces.
The Efficacy of God's Ordinances Despite Unworthy Ministers
Even when evil ministers administer the Word and Sacraments, God's grace remains effective for faithful recipients, yet the Church must still discipline such ministers.
Although in the visible church evil people are always mixed in with the good, and sometimes evil people hold the highest authority in administering the word and the Sacraments, yet since they do not do this in their own name but minister by Christ's commission and authority, we can use their ministry both in hearing the word of God and in receiving the Sacraments. Neither is the effect of God's ordinances taken away by their wickedness, nor is the grace of God's gifts diminished for those who receive the Sacraments administered to them with faith and in the right way, which are effective because of Christ's institution and promise, even though they are administered by evil men.1 Nevertheless, it is part of the Church's discipline that an inquiry should be made into such people, that they should be accused by those who know their offenses, and that finally, when they are found guilty by a just judgment, they should be deposed.2
Read the original English
ALthough in y• visible church the euell be euer mingled wt the good, and sometyme the euill haue chiefe aucthority in the ministration of the word and sacraments: Yet forasmuch as the… dooe not the same in their owne name, but doe Minister by Christes commission, and aucthoritie: we may vse their ministery bothe in hearing the worde of God, and in the receiuing the sacraments, Nether is the effect of goddes ordiuaunces taken awaye, by theyr wickednes: nor the grace of gods giftes diminished from suche, as by faithe, and rightlye receiue the Sacramentes mynystred vnto them: which be effectuall, because of Christes institution & promise, althoughe they be ministred by euell men. Neuerthelesse it appertayneth to the Disciplyne of the Church, that enqui…ie be made of suche: and that they be accused by those yt haue knowledge of theyr offences: and fynallye beynge founde guilty by iust iudgmente, be deposed.
Notes
John Ponet's Short Catechisme (1553) companion
Rule yourself daily, not just on retreat
Chosen Portion turns the mirror into a daily practice — a short reading and examining question each morning before you lead anyone.
Chosen Portion makes the mirror daily: the ruler-formation questions this collection preserves become a two-minute morning examination in the app.
- A daily formation reading drawn from centuries of counsel to those in authority
- One pointed examination question a day — two minutes, before the meetings start
- Track your practice over weeks and watch the examined life become a habit