calvin, jean : of the true method of giving peace to christendom and of reforming the church 1549...

8/9/2019 Calvin, Jean : Of the true method of giving peace to Christendom and of reforming the Church 1549 (English transl…

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Jean Calvin

1 5 4 9

ON THE TRUE METHOD

OF GIVING PEACE TO

CHRISTENDOM

AND REFORMING

THE CHURCH.translated from the Latin by

HENRY BEVERIDGE, ESQ.


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ON THE TRUE METHOD OF GIVING PEACE TO

CHRISTENDOM AND REFORMING THE CHURCH.

introduction

“Specious indeed is the n!e o" Pece#$ s%s Hi&'%# “nd "i' the ide o"

Unit%( )ut *ho dou)ts tht the on&% Pece o" the chu'ch is tht *hich is o"

Ch'ist+$ , t'u&% n d!i')&e senti!ent *hich ou-ht to 'ise in ou' !ind

*henee' *e t'et o" est)&ishin- pece nd conco'd !on- Ch'istins# nd

especi&&% *hen the o)/ect sou-ht is consent in doct'ine.

Fo' s pious nd !ode'te !en 'e e'se to dissension nd detest contentionnd st'i"e# it cn sc'ce&% hppen tht n% discou'se *htee' *hich p'oposes

to 0ue&& the! sh&& not he p&usi)&e t "i'st si-ht. And *ho# i" not deoid o"

hu!nit%# does not *i&&in-&% &end his e' nd his !ind *hen t'ue nd se'ious

!ention is !de o" pci"%in- the chu'ch+

The'e is no !n possessed on&% o" !ode'te sense o" piet% *ho! this "ou&

nd d'ed"u& 'endin- o" the )od% o" Ch'ist does not -'iee nd e1c'ucite. 2ut

seein- tht c'"t% !en not un"'e0uent&% insinute the!se&es unde' this

p'ete1t# *hi&e the% see3 to du&te'te the pu'e doct'ine o" Ch'ist# *ho cn

den% tht it is the p't o" p'udence to &oo3 cutious&% t the 3ind o" Pece

*hich is o""e'ed us+ Fo' s Ch'ist &*%s 'eco!!ends pece to us s

p'i!'% o)/ect# so he teches tht the t'uth o" his Gospe& is the on&% )ond o"

pece. 4he'e"o'e# it is o" no use "o' those *ho 'e t'%in- to seduce us "'o! the

pu'e p'o"ession o" the Gospe to -&oss it oe' *ith the n!e o" Conco'd.

4ht then+ Pece is indeed to )e &on-ed "o' nd sou-ht *ith the ut!ost 5e&(

)ut 'the' thn it shou&d )e pu'chsed )% n% &oss o" piet%# &et heen nd

e'th# i" need )e# -o into con"usion6

I ! not he'e de)tin- *ith Tu'3s nd 7e*s# *ho *ou&d *ish the n!e o"

Ch'ist utte'&% e1tin-uished# o' *ith -'osse' Ppists# *ho de!nd "'o! us n

open )/u'tion o" t'ue doct'ine# )ut *ith the cont'ie's o" 3ind o" specious

pci"iction# *ho &ee us h&" Ch'ist# )ut in such !nne' tht the'e is no

p't o" his doct'ine *hich the% do not o)scu'e o' )esptte' *ith so!e stin o"

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"&sehood. And this 'ti"ice "o' de"o'!in- piet% the% send "o'th , so he&p

the!6 , unde' the n!e o" 'e"o'!tion6 Is it thus tht *hi&e the% sec'et&%

&ed us *% "'o! the Autho' o" pece# the% -&oss oe' the !tte' )% in&%

p'o!isin- pece+ The% sh&& nee' succeed so "' *ith thei' dissi!u&tion s

to p'eent thei' counse&s "'o! )ein- disc&osed# The% dou)t&ess hope tht i"the Chu'ches *hich he e!)'ced the pu'e' doct'ine o" the -ospe& once

dec&ine nd &&o* the!se&es to )e co''upted in n% 0u'te'# it *i&& )e es% to

!3e the! "o'th*ith &ose *htee' -ood 'e!ins. And# e'i&%# the% 'e not

*'on- in this opinion.

Fo' )% the !ost /ust nd the o'din'% /ud-!ent o" God# those *ho 3no*in-&%

nd *i&&in-&% &&o* his sc'ed t'uth to )e po&&uted *ith &ies# 'e tot&&%

dep'ied o" the &u)&e possession. Fo' it is not thin- o" such u&-' *o'th#

tht *ht is dee!ed !ost p'ecious !on- !en shou&d )e pu'chsed t the

cost o" i!pi'init in the &est. I ! *'e# indeed# tht the i!pious nd

p'o"ne do not "o'! thei' esti!te o" the "utu'e cco'din- to the /ud-!ent o"

God. 2ut *ithout 3no*in- the cuse# the% /ud-e 'i-ht&% o" the eent.

It is st'n-e# ho*ee'# tht so!e 'e so "ic3&e# not to s% &iented in !ind# s

to put "ith in the *o'ds o" such !en6 I ! not i-no'nt o" thei' thou-ht. It is#

tht i" the% no* %ie&d &itt&e# the% *i&& !3e -'ete' p'o-'ess "te'*'ds#

*hen the occsion o""e's. 2ut *hence is tht occsion *hich the% p'o!isethe!se&es sudden&% to 'ise+ I no* see the! 'ecedin- "'o! the 'i-ht pth.

The'e"o'e the'e is nothin- tht cn &ess )e hoped thn tht the% 'e to 'ech

the -o& )% *nde'in- "'o! it; n%# 'the' it is to )e "e'ed tht God !%

sho* hi!se&" the en-e' o" thei' pe'"idious de"ection# )% *ithd'*in- the

p't *hich the% 'etin. 2ut *htee' )e thei' "ncied hope# the% t3e too

!uch# "' too !uch upon the!# *hen the% )'-in conce'nin- the ete'n&

nd i!!ut)&e T'uth o" God# ho* "' it is to p'ei&6 The% s% , p'oided

*ht is "und!ent& 'e!ins s"e# the &oss o" othe' thin-s is to&e')&e. The%

spe3 thus /ust s i" Ch'ist hd -ien hi!se&" up to )e diided t thei'

p&esu'e. It is so!ethin-# I d!it# *hen the enti'e 'ene*& o" piet% cnnot &&

t once )e o)tined# to secu'e t &est the p'incip& heds# p'oided *e cese

not to "o&&o* "te' *ht is sti&& *ntin-. 2ut *hen the Son o" God hs -ien us

the doct'ine o" his -ospe& to )e en/o%ed enti'e# to 'end it )% co!pct# in o'de'

to p'ese'e so!e p't "o' ou'se&es# is !ost sc'i&e-ious.

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2ut he'e it &ies. 4hen st'u--&e "o' &i"e !ust )e endu'ed# "e* 3no* *ht it is

to de"end the cuse o" Ch'ist. N%# these !en c''% thei' e""'onte'% so "' s

to dec&'e# tht it is no p't o" thei' intention to te!pt God 'sh&%# 8)%

e1posin- the!se&es 'sh&%.: As i" those *e'e th'o*in- the!se&es intounnecess'% dn-e'# *ho choose to su""e' n% e1t'e!ities 'the' thn deite

one hi'=s>)'edth "'o! the doct'ine o" &i"e. 4he'e then 'e the &o"t% te'!s in

*hich the% spo3e &itt&e -o *ith thei' s*o'ds in thei' hnds+ Ho* is it tht#

*ith the!# constnc% in de"endin- the T'uth )e-ins to )e te!e'it% the

!o!ent the% see tht the% !ust die 'the' thn secede "'o! it+ ?et us#

ho*ee'# )e !ind"u& o" the e1ho'ttion o" Pu nd hsten to -ie -&o'% to

Ch'ist nd his -ospe *hethe' it )e )% &i"e o' )% deth.

4htee' !% hppen# &et it )e ou' 'eso&ute dete'!intion to &isten to no

te'!s o" pece *hich !in-&e the "i-!ents o" !en *ith the pu'e t'uth o" God.

?et it# I s%# )e ou' "i1ed p'incip&e# tht the oice o" the Shephe'd &one is to

)e he'd# tht o" st'n-e's -u'ded -inst nd 'e/ected.

Hence it is es% to in"e' *ht p&n is to )e dopted in pci"%in- dissension.

Fo' did not the o""enses o" !en te''i"%# nd# s it *e'e# )&ind us# n%# did not

so!e# *hi&e the% *ou&d )e too cutious# *&3 )&ind"o&d in the c&e'est &i-ht#

*e shou&d esi&% co!e to n -'ee!ent s to the heds o" doct'ine *hich 'enecess'% to p'ese'e the stte o" the Chu'ch. 2ut s 'i-ht /ud-!ent cnnot

)e "o'!ed e1cept "'o! the cse itse&"# I thin3 it *i&& )e *o'th *hi&e )'ie"&% to

'eie* the points in *hich nothin- cn )e %ie&ded.

I 3no* it is co!!on s%in- *ith !n%# tht *e 'e not to stnd out

pe'tincious&% on othe' points# p'oided the doct'ine o" "'ee 7usti"iction

'e!ins s"e. Those *ho spe3 thus do not s% the *ho&e# nd %et s%

so!ethin-. I d!it# indeed# tht so&id 3no*&ed-e o" ou' s&tion is nee'

possessed )% us# *ithout c''%in- &on- *ith it &!ost the *ho&e su! o"

Ch'istin doct'ine. 2ut# "i'st# in su! o" Ch'istin doct'ine not on&% to

postpone the *o'ship o" God# 8in *hich his hono' tu'ns#: )ut to pss it oe' in

si&ence# *e'e e'% un/ust# s I sh&& -in de't to "te'*'ds.

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Second&%# the'e is -'et di""e'ence )et*een !e'e&% utte'in- the one

e1p'ession , *e 'e /usti"ied )% "ith , nd settin- "o'th the *ho&e !tte' in

distinct e1p&ntion. I" in !tte's# ho*ee' t'ii && 'e *ont c'e"u&&% to

o)ite disputes# *hich !i-ht 'ise "'o! o)scu'it% o" &n-u-e# *h% shou&d

not the s!e t &est# i" not -'ete' cution )e used in !tte' o" the hi-hest!o!ent+

i

justification

a. free will

Hence# in o'de' tht these !en !% p'oe thei' c'e"u&ness to 'etin this p't

o" doct'ine conce'nin- -'tuitous 7usti"iction uni!pi'ed# the% !ust "i'st

dete'!ine *ht !n is cp)&e o" )% hi!se&". Fo' in disc'i!intin- )et*een

the ntu'e o" !n nd the; -'ce o" God# the "i'st thin- in o'de' is to see *ht

)e&on-s to the "o'!e' s its o*n. He'e I 3no* not *ht !edito's 'ise up#

*ho# tht the% !% s&% pious sou&s *hi&e see!in- to ppese thei' opponents

)% e0uioctin- su)t&eties# &ee !n "'eedo! o" *i& thou-h *e3 nd

d!-ed. In othe' *o'ds# the% 'e &i)e'& *ith *ht is not thei's# *hen the%

t'ns"e' to !n tht *hich )e&on-s to the -'ce o" God.

It !ust )e c3no*&ed-ed# indeed# tht !n 'etins *i&& een thou-h it is

he&d cptie unde' the t%'nn% o" sin nd Stn( )ut ho* do the% thin3 the%

*i&& stis"% us# *hen the% *3*'d&% 'est'ict the p'oud n!e o" "'eedo! )%

the epithet o" *e3 po*e'+ Then *hen the% desc'i)e the !ode o"

o)tinin- 7usti"iction# the% tech tht God does not ct *ith !n s *ith

)&oc3# tht he does not d'* hi! *ithout his )ein- *i&&in-. 4ho denies this+

2ut the 0uestion is# *hence co!es tht tech)&eness o" the hu!n *i&&

*hich !3es it sho* itse&" o)edient to God# *hi&e ntu'e is &to-ethe'

contu!cious nd int'ct)&e+ Is it not to stu!)&e on the th'esho&d *hen

the% on the one hnd e1tenute the !ise'% o" !n# nd on the othe' o)scu'e

the id o" Diine -'ce+ Eithe'# then# the t'ue !ethod o" 7usti"iction *i&& not

)e t && possessed )% us# o' *e !ust !3e this ou' st'tin- point# i5.# tht

the !ind o" !n is )&ind unti& it is i&&u!inted )% the Spi'it o" God , tht the

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*i&& is ens&ed to ei nd *ho&&% c''ied nd hu''ied to ei unti& co''ected

)% the s!e Spi'it# nd tht the o&unt'% 'eception o" -'ce cnnot he n%

othe' o'i-in thn this , tht God "o'!inhe't o" "&esh out o" ou' ston%

he't# )'in-s us *ho *e'e "o'!e'&% tu'ned *% )c3 to hi!se&".

b. justification and sanctification

4hen *e co!e to the de"inition o" the *o'd# c'e !ust )e t3en tht 'espect

to *o'3s )e not inte'!in-&ed *ith -'tuitous Reconci&ition# *hich *ho&&%

consists in the "o'-ieness o" sins. Fo' thou-h *e 'e nee' 'econci&ed to God#

*ithout )ein- t the s!e ti!e p'esented *ith inhe'ent 'i-hteousness# %et

thin-s *hich cnnot )e sep'ted ou-ht to )e distin-uished. And this is the

second )'nch in this 0uestion# i5.# to he the !ethod )% *hich God

/usti"ies us de"ined. 4e s%# the'e"o'e# tht *e 'e /usti"ied )% "ith# )ecuse

the 'i-hteousness o" Ch'ist is i!puted to us.

I" n% one# on the othe' hnd# o)/ects tht *e 'e !de p't3e's o" Ch'ist

on&% )% )ein- 'ene*ed )% his Spi'it unto the o)edience o" the &*# this !ust

)e c3no*&ed-ed to )e t'ue( )ut &et Re-ene'tion )e *ht it !%# *e den%

tht 7usti"iction is to )e p&ced in it.

4e do not ct thus eithe' "'o! &oe o" disputtion# o' )ecuse *e *i&& not&&o* n%thin- to )e pssed oe' tht does not &to-ethe' p&ese us.

The cuse *hich u'-es us is !ost necess'%. The point ino&ed is pece o"

conscience# *ithout *hich *e !ust && )e !ost *'etched# n%# &!ost

undone. It is s3ed# I s%# *he'e ou' consciences !% 'est s"e&% in 'e-'d to

s&tion. I" the% 'e -itted )% dis0uietude# o' in dou)t# Pu& teches tht

"ith is !de oid. 8 Ro!ns @;@.: And he( dec&'es tht this is the necess'%

'esu&t# so &on- s the% &oo3 to the &*. 4ht then+ Tht *e !% he

s&tion# *e !ust t the s!e ti!e he su'e coniction o" 'i-hteousness.

An% p't o" this 'i-hteousness# ho*ee' s!& i" p&ced in *o'3s *i&& totte'# s

'estin- on n insecu'e "oundtion. It 'e!ins# the'e"o'e# to 'ec&ine so&e&% on

the p'don o" sins. It is p&in !tte'# tht *e cnnot co!e )o&d&% )e"o'e the

t'i)un& o" God# un&ess *e 'e ce'tin&% pe'suded tht he is ou' Fthe'; nd

this cnnot )e *ithout ou' )ein- 'e-'ded s 'i-hteous in his si-ht. Thus *e

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'e p'ec&uded "'o! && ccess to hi!# unti& t'ustin- in his pte'n& -ood *i&

*e cn *ithout hesittion ino3e hi! s ou' Fthe'. 2ut i" the'e is no

s&tion nd no inoction o" God# *ithout t'n0ui& nd su'e t'ust "o' the

conscience( nd# on the othe' hnd# i" conscience cnnot 'est in n%thin- sho't

o" ce'tin 'i-hteousness# *ho cn dou)t tht the *ho&e 'i-hteousness on *hich !n ou-ht to &en# is contined in the "'ee 'e!ission o" sins+ Ou'

!edito's then on&% -&oss the !tte' in p'etendin- tht inhe'ent

'i-hteousness concu's *ith the !e'it o" Ch'ist# *hen the point unde'

discussion is the !ode o" /usti"%in-. Such concu''ence !ust necess'i&% )e-et

"e'"u& con"&ict# unti &to-ethe' "o'-ettin- *o'3s nd disc'din- the

!ention o" the!# *e o)tin not p't o" 'i-hteousness on&%# )ut the *ho&e

enti'e "'o! Ch'ist.

The% s% tht God does not ct *ith us "te' the !nne' o" n. e'th&% /ud-e#

*ho on&% c0uits# nd does not &so )esto* t'ue 'i-hteousness. I d!it it. 2ut

*hi&e t*o"o&d -'ce is t the s!e ti!e )esto*ed upon us )% Ch'ist# *e

ou-ht c'e"u&&% to conside' the e""ect o" ech. The 0uestion no* s3ed is# In

*ht *% 'e *e ccepted )% God+ I" *o'3s 'e !i1ed up *ith the "'ee

I!puttion o" Ri-hteousness# nothe' 0uestion *i&& i!!edite&% 'ise# i5.#

ho* "' *o'3s i& in p'ocu'in- the "o' o" God# nd *hethe' "'ee

i!puttion ho&ds the chie" p&ce# o' is on&% 3ind o" in"e'io' u1i&i'%+ 4ht

e&se is this thn co!p&ete&% to su)e't the "oundtion+ Acco'din-&%# Pu&dese'ed&% inc&udes the 'i-hteousness o" "ith si!p&% in "o'-ieness o" sins#

techin- tht it is desc'i)ed )% Did *hen he p'onounces the !n )&essed to

*ho! sins 'e not i!puted. 8 Ro!ns @;( Ps&!


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And in nothe' pss-e he dec&'es# tht !en 'e 'i-hteous )e"o'e God )% the

e'% ci'cu!stnce tht ou' sins 'e no &on-e' i!puted to us. 8 Co'inthins

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Pu *hen he t'ets o" the 7usti"iction o" !n# con"ines hi!se&" to the one

point , ho* !&& !% sce'tin tht God is p'opitious to hi!+ He'e he does

not 'e!ind us o" 0u&it% in"used into us( on the cont''%# !3in- no

!ention o" *o'3s# he te&&s us tht 'i-hteousness !ust )e sou-ht *ithout us(

othe'*ise tht ce'tint% o" "ith# *hich he ee'%*he'e so st'on-&% u'-es# cou&dnee' stnd( sti&& &ess cou&d the'e )e -'ound "o' the cont'st )et*een the

'i-hteousness o" "ith nd *o'3s *hich he d'*s in the tenth chpte' to the

Ro!ns. 4he'e"o'e# un&ess *e choose to spo't *ith so se'ious !tte'# 8this

*ou&d )e "'u-ht *ith dn-e'6: *e !ust 'etin p'op'iet% o" e1p'ession# *hich

c''ies *ith it the 3no*&ed-e o" the thin- e1p'essed. 4e'e the thin- conceded

to us )% those *ho entn-&e this p't o" the doct'ine )% thei' co!!ents# I

*ou&d esi&% -ie up && contest )out the *o'd. 2ut those *ho con"ound the

t*o 3inds o" 'i-hteousness to-ethe'# seein- the thin- the% i! t is to p'eent

the 'i-hteousness o" Ch'ist "'o! )ein- enti'e&% -'tuitous# 'e on no ccount

to )e )o'ne.

2ut *e !ust o)ite thei' ci *hen the% )'in- "o'*'d 7!es# nd co&&ect

othe' pss-es in Sc'iptu'e# *he'e the te'! /usti"% is t3en di""e'ent&%# to

est)&ish *ht the% c&& concu''ence. 7!es does not !en tht !n c0ui'es

'i-hteousness *ith God# een in the !inutest de-'ee# )% the !e'it o" *o'3s(

he is on&% t'etin- o" the pp'o& o" 'i-hteousness. 8 7!es 9;9.: And *ho

denies tht ee'% !n p'oes *ht he is )% his ctions+ 2ut to "u'nish !en *ith c'edi)&e eidence o" %ou' disposition is e'% di""e'ent thin- "'o!

!e'itin- s&tion in the si-ht o" God. Hence# not to )e i!posed upon )% the

di""e'ent !enin-s o" the *o'd# *e !ust &*%s o)se'e *hethe' 'e"e'ence is

!de to God o' to !en. Mo'eoe'# *e den% not tht the 'i-hteous 'e c&&ed

the chi&d'en o" God# in 'espect o" ho&iness o" &i"e# s *e&& s in 'espect o" pu'e

conscience; )ut s no *o'3# i" *ei-hed in the Diine )&nce# *i&& )e "ound

othe'*ise thn !i!ed# nd een de"i&ed )% i!pu'ities# *e conc&ude# tht

this n!e o" 'i-hteousness# *hen -ien to *o'3s# is "ounded on "'ee p'don.

2e&iee's# the'e"o'e# 'e 'i-hteous )% *o'3s# /ust )ecuse the% 'e 'i-hteous

*ithout n% !e'it o"# o' *ithout n% 'espect to *o'3s# seein- tht the

'i-hteousness o" *o'3s depends on the 'i-hteousness o" "ith.

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Hence# too# it is pp'ent *ht *e ou-ht to thin3 conce'nin- the Re*'d o"

4o'3s. Assu'ed&% the &)o' o" the -od&% is not in in in the ?o'd# seein-

'ious 'e*'ds 'e di&% pid to it in the *o'&d# nd the hi-hest 'e*'d is &id

up "o' it in the heens. 2ut the% 'e -'et&% !ist3en *ho thin3 tht n%

'e*'d is pid to -ood *o'3s )% *% o" de)t; "o' *e !ust &*%s 'etu'n tothis# tht s God dec&'es the'e is no 'i-hteousness e1cept in the pe'"ect

o)edience o" the &*# so !en !e'it nothin- un&ess the% "u&"i&& && the

co!!nd!ents o" the &* out nd out. I" st'ict /ustice decide# n ete'n&

cu'se *its ee'% !n *ho "i&s in one sin-&e iot. 4he'e"o'e# the *ho&e

p'o!ises *hich !3e the "u&"i&&in- o" the &* condition# Pu& hesittes not to

te'! oid# ti&& tht st'ictness hs )een !iti-ted )% i'tue o" "'ee p'o!ise.

A "'ee p'o!ise I do not unde'stnd in the s!e *% s !n% do. I ho&d it to

)e "'ee# not )ecuse# *hi&e *e o*e ou'se&es nd ou' && to God# he hs

spontneous&% nd &i)e'&&% p'o!ised 'e*'d to *o'3s *hich he !i-ht

de!nd o" us s his 'i-ht# )ut )ecuse he ssi-ns 'e*'d p'opo'tioned to the

*o'th o" his o*n "o' 'the' thn to n% *o'th in the!. Fo' tht p'o!ise#

ho*ee' &i)e' *hich stipu&ted "o' the "u&"i&&!ent o" the &*# -ies us no

ssistnce )% itse&"# since no !n ee' *i&& )e "ound to stis"% his dut%. Hence

the'e is need o" the id o" ne* p'o!ise# i5.# tht *o'3s sh&& he 'e*'d#

)ecuse the% 'e ccept)&e in conse0uence o" p'don.

In this *%# )e&iee's 'e not de"'uded )% the hope o" 'e*'d# *hich ou-ht

to sti!u&te the! to the stud% o" -ood *o'3s( no' 'e the% eithe' pu""ed up

*ith pe'e'se con"idence# o' e&ted *ith in -&o'%. The t'ue ntu'e o" the

'e*'d is this , it does not co''espond in e0uit% to the !e'it o' *o'th o" the

*o'3s# )ut is de'ied "'o! thei' -'tuitous cceptnce.

Mo'eoe'# *e cnnot su)!it to &&o* "ith itse&" to )e not on&% o)scu'ed# )ut

&so du&te'ted# )% "&se inte'p'ettion. The% do so *ho p'etend tht it cn

t'u&% e1ist *ithout ch'it%. This is the o&d inention o" the sophists# tht

"ith *hich is in"o'!& is nee'the&ess 'e nd tht it )eco!es "o'!ed )% the

ddition o" ch'it%. Hence# too# hs 'isen the e''o' o" supposin- tht "ith is

)'e nd "'i-id 3no*&ed-e# *hich indistinct&% pp'ehends tht God is t'ue.

4e dispute not )out *o'ds( )ut s the s&tion o" !en tu'ns on this

0uestion# the !)i-uit% *hich ino&es the *ho&e 0uestion in d'3ness is

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"'u-ht *ith pe'i&. As God /usti"ies us "'ee&% )% i!putin- the o)edience o"

Ch'ist to us# so *e 'e 'ende'ed cp)&e o" this -'et )&essin- on&% )% "ith

&one. As the Son o" God e1pited ou' sins )% the sc'i"ice o" his deth# nd#

)% ppesin- his Fthe'=s *'th# c0ui'ed the -i"t o" doption "o' us# nd no*

p'esents us *ith his 'i-hteousness# so it is on&% )% "ith *e put hi! on# nd)eco!e p't3e's o" his )&essin-s. No*# i" *e 3no* not *ht "ith is# *ht

ccess sh&& *e he to o)tin s&tion+ Those *ho# in the p'esent d%#

pu'chse pece "'o! the Ppists )% e0uioctin- ''n-e!ents# d!it tht

the t'ue "ith *hich disc'i!intes )et*een Ch'istins nd un)e&iee's !% )e

oid o" ch'it%. The% ct /ust &i3e !n *ho p'ises the *ine contined in his

cs3# nd cuts o"" the co'3 to p'eent n% one "'o! -ettin- d'u-ht o" it.

d. faith which obtains righteousness

It is no*# I p'esu!e# c&e' enou-h ho* i!po'tnt it is# in o'de' to !intin

the doct'ine o" 7usti"iction enti'e# to he su'e de"inition o" "ith. 4ht it is

!% )e p't&% in"e''ed "'o! the e""ect o" /usti"iction. It /usti"ies )ecuse it

!3es us put on Ch'ist# tht he !% d*e&& in us# nd *e )e his !e!)e's. Cn

tht *hich !3es us one *ith the Son o" God e1ist *ithout his Spi'it+ This

*e'e no &ess )su'd thn "o' n% one to sse't tht the sou& *hich ni!tes

the )od%# *hich -ies it sense nd !otion# nd is# in sho't# its &i"e# is itse&"

*ithout &i"e. An% one *ho ho&ds the one point# tht Ch'ist is possessed )%"ith# *i&& no &on-e' thin3 o" ente'tinin- the distinction o" n “in"o'!&$ nd

“"o'!ed$ "ith. Fith# I s%# is "i'! ce'tint% o" conscience# *hich

e!)'ces Ch'ist s he is o""e'ed to us )% the -ospe&. 2ut is not "ith one o" the

p'incip& -i"ts *hich ne*ness o" &i"e )esto*s upon us+ Hence# too# it is sid to

he )een -ien us "o' si-n.

Fith is the 'esu''ection o" the sou s Ch'ist dec&'es in these *o'ds# , $He

tht )e&ieeth in !e# thou-h he *e'e ded# %et sh&& he &ie.$ 8 7ohn ;9.:

Ho* then cn it )e ded *hi&e it -ies &i"e+ Fith is the eidence o" diine

doption. 2ut ho* cn *e )e the sons o" God# un&ess *e 'e -uided )% his

Spi'it+ Fith -ies us ccess to God. Ho* cn *e he ccess *ithout -ood

conscience+

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Assu!in- the cont''% o" && this# o' s%in- nothin- )out it# sti&& it is

necess'%# i" *e *ou&d )e t pece in the unit% o" the "ith# p'eious&% to -'ee

s to the te'! Fith. 2ut# s I he &'ed% p'e!ised# it is enou-h "o' !e to

de!onst'te ho* "' the% 'e "'o! 'etinin- 7usti"iction# *ho# *hi&e the%

stud% to ppe' the ene!ies o" the t'uth# deise !idd&e 3ind o" doct'ine# *hich suits neithe' heen no' e'th. To this su)/ect I con"ine !%se&".

4ith 'e-'d# then# to the o)tinin- o" Ri-hteousness )e"o'e God# I s% tht

*e !ust necess'i&% ho&d the "o&&o*in- "ie points conce'nin- Fith; , Fi'st#

tht it is n undou)tin- pe'susion# )% *hich *e 'eceie the *o'd )'ou-ht )%

P'ophets nd Apost&es s t'uth sent "'o! God. Second&%# tht *ht it p'ope'&%

&oo3s to in the 4o'd o" God is the "'ee p'o!ises# nd especi&&% Ch'ist# thei'

p&ed-e nd "oundtion# so tht# 'estin- on the pte'n& "o' o" God# *e cn

entu'e to ente'tin con"ident hope o" ete'n& s&tion. Thi'd&%# tht it is

not )'e 3no*&ed-e *hich "&utte's in the !ind# )ut tht it c''ies &on- *ith

it &ie&% ""ection# *hich hs its set in the he't. Fou'th&%# tht this "ith

does not sp'in- "'o! the pe'spiccit% o" the hu!n !ind# o' the p'ope'

!oe!ent o" the he't# )ut is the speci& *o'3 o" the Ho&% Spi'it# *hose it is

)oth to en&i-hten the !ind nd i!p'ess the he't. ?st&%# tht this e""icc% o"

the Spi'it is not "e&t )% && p'o!iscuous&%# )ut )% those *ho 'e o'dined to

&i"e.

The "i'st point *e he set do*n# )ein- c3no*&ed-ed )% & needs no p'oo".

In p'oin- the second it is not so necess'% to )e di&i-ent in co&&ectin-

pss-es# s to d!onish the 'ede' to *ei-h those *hich occu' th'ou-hout

the Sc'iptu'es( "o' the% 'e &!ost innu!e')&e# nd *e !ust stud% )'eit%.

4hen Pu& distin-uishes the -ospe& "'o! the &*# he c&&s it “the doct'ine o"

"ith.$ 8 Ro!. ;.: And he in nothe' p&ce teches tht “the'ein is 'ee&ed

the 'i-hteousness o" God "'o! "ith to "ith.$ 8 Ro!. ;.: A-in he s%s#

“The'e"o'e it is o" "ith# tht it !% )e )% -'ce# tht the p'o!ise !% )e

su'e.$ 8 Ro!. @;.: To the s!e e""ect he *'ites# tht the -ospe& is p'eched

"o' “the o)edience o" the "ith.$ 8 Ro!ns ;B.: And "te' techin- tht “the

-ospe& is not )% the &*# )ut )% p'o!ise#$ he i!!edite&% conc&udes# “tht

the p'o!ise !% )e -ien )% "ith.$ 8 G&tins


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14/102

This position )ein- &id do*n# it is c&e' tht "ith is &*%s co!)ined *ith

se'ious i!p'essions. 4e'e it othe'*ise Pu& *ou&d not en/oin us to "i1 ou'

'oots in Ch'ist# nd 'e' the supe'st'uctu'e on "ith( no' *ou&d "ith itse&" he

the n!e o" o)edience# "' &ess *ou&d it )e c&&ed ou' icto'% oe' the *o'&d.

8 Co&ossins 9;( Phi&ippins 9;9( Ro!ns ;B( 7ohn B;@.: And su'e&% *henPu& *'ites# tht *ith the he't *e )e&iee unto 'i-hteousness# he does not

p&ce "ith in the )'in. 8 Ro!ns ;.: I no* o!it the epithets I "o'!e'&%

!entioned , tht it is the &i"e o" the sou tht )% it Ch'ist d*e&&s in us# tht it

is the cuse o" ou' o)tinin- s&tion# nd the &i3e. These cou&d )% no !ens

pp&% to !e'e 3no*&ed-e. This is *ht Pu& e&se*he'e !ens *hen he s%s#

tht *e# )eho&din- the "ce o" God in the !i''o' o" the -ospe 'e t'ns"o'!ed

into it "'o! -&o'% to -&o'%. 8 9 Co'inthins


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opens ou' !outh tht *e d'e *ithout "e' ino3e God s ou' Fthe'#

8 G&tins @;#: *ho sp'in3&es ou' sou&s *ith the )&ood o" Ch'ist# 8 Pete'

;9: *ho 'ti"ies his -'ce to us# *ho pe'des ou' he'ts *ith the &oe o" God#

so tht *e )o&d&% -&o'% in )ein- his sons# 8 Ro!ns B;B: *ho# in sho't# &eds us

into && t'uth# 8 7ohn ;


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17/102

)e&on-# p'esc'i)e n%thin- o" the 3ind in "o'-iin- sins+ 4e no*he'e 'ed so.

No*# *hen !en 'ise up nd &% thei' eto upon Ch'ist to 'est'in his -'ce# is

it not !o'e thn sc'i&e-ious udcit%+ And een# i" *e &ee such 'i-ht to

!en s to )e the ')ite's )et*een God nd us# in the !tte' o" -'ce# )%

dicttin- &*s# do *e not 'e/ect the )ene"it o" Ch'ist )% such in-'titude+ Thiscnnot *ith n% decenc% )e denied. 4e && in !ise'% "&ee to the "o'-ieness o"

sins s the on&% s%&u! o" s&tion.

A ce'tin *% is sho*n us )% the Son o" God. A ce'tin !ethod is ppointed

"o' o)tinin- the -'et )oon. He'e !o't& !n inte'poses# nd d'es to

p'ec&ude ccess. He points to the doo' &oc3ed )% hi!# nd *i&& not &&o* it to

)e opened e1cept )% the 3e% o" con"ession. Do those *ho t3e this t%'nn%

upon the! !3e Ch'ist the on&% utho' o" 'i-hteousness# o' do the% not

'the' 'o) hi! o" p't o" the hono'# nd t'ns"e' it e&se*he'e+

4he'e is "'ee 'i-hteousness i" it is 'nso!ed in this *%+

Mo'eoe'# s pious sou&s he &'ed% e1pe'ienced ho* di'e the s&u-hte' *s

*hen the% *e'e "o'ced to such con"ession# ou' "&se !edito's# ?o !3e

the! "ee& &ess pin# deise !idd&e cou'se. The% s% tht Con"ession is

neithe'# on the one hnd# to )e too !uch 'e&1ed# no'# on the othe'# to )e

!de too st'in-ent. Ce'tin&% so!e p'o-'ess see!s to )e !de *hen p't o"the n1ious enu!e'tion is 'e!itted6 Me'e t'i"&in-6 Fo' i" *e ho&d tht none

'e c0uitted )e"o'e God )ut those *ho he con"essed thei' sins to p'iest#

*ho sh&& t3e it upon hi! to deduct one iot+ Sh&& *e not &*%s 'un the

'is3 o" hin- o!itted so!ethin-# "o' *hich God !% c&& us into /ud-!ent+

Pece o" conscience# *ithout *hich the'e is no s&tion# e1ists on&% *hen

the'e is n undou)tin- "ith in c0uitt&. I" ee'% one !ust con"ess )e"o'e he

cn )e "o'-ien# it is not "o' the *i&& o" !n to de"ine ho* "' this necessit%

e1tends. Thus nothin- is &e"t )ut constnt dis0uietude# nd s&o* to'tu'e# nd

pe'p&e1in- dou)ts# *hich *i&& *e' out the sou& not &ess e""ectu&&% thn open

!u'de'. The !edito's 'e contented *ith the enu!e'tion o" the sins *hich

occu' to one thin3in- nd e1!inin- hi!se&" c'e"u&&%. 4ht is this )ut to

sp'in3&e the poison *ith d'op o" hone%# to !3e it &ess sensi)&e t "i'st tste+

Fo' i" n%thin-# ho*ee' s!& is *ntin- to the p'ope' di&i-ence# the sinne'

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*i&& sti&& "i&( n%# the *ho&e p'o!ise *i&& -ie *%# nd )%ss *i&& "o&&o*

)%ss. I" the 3no*&ed-e o" s&tion consists in 'e&%in- *ith t'n0ui& !ind on

the "o'-ieness o" sins# *hoee' spontneous&% puts on this "ette' 3no*in-&%

nd *i&&in-&% th'o*s *% his s&tion.

To p'etend the utho'it% o" Ch'ist "o' this i!pious t%'nn% disp&%s no &ess

e""'onte'% thn )d "ith. The theo&o-ste's o" So')onne# on ccount o" thei'

-'oss i-no'nce# !i-ht he )een p'doned *hen the% co''upted Sc'iptu'e.

No*# in so !uch &i-ht# the s!e e1cuse cnnot )e t3en. The !edito's te&&

us# tht the po*e' o" )indin- nd &oosin- *s -ien to the Apost&es# nd the%

dd# tht it cnnot )e e1e'cised un&ess he *ho o""icites# 3no*s *hethe' he

ou-ht to &oose o' 'etin. Hence the% !3e out thei' enu!e'tion.

4h% shou&d I -in discuss pue'i&e o)/ection *hich *e he so o"ten

'e"uted+ 4hen the Apost&es 'e inested *ith the po*e' o" )indin- nd

&oosin-# it is ce'tin tht unde' these te'!s the po*e' nd "'uit o" the -ospe&

'e co!!itted to the!. It -'et&% conce'ns us to 3no* tht the c0uitt&

p'onounced to us )% the !outh o" !n is 'ti"ied )% God. ?et us 'e!e!)e'

tht it is !o't& !en *ho testi"% tht *e 'e e1e!pted "'o! &i)i&it% to ete'n&

deth. To ttest so -'et !tte' een n-e&s *ou&d not )e e0u&6 4ht then

*ou&d )eco!e o" us did not the Son o" God hi!se&" inte'pone his o*n

utho'it% s snction to his co!!nd+ Mo'eoe'# the e1ecution o" theco!!nd 'e!oes && dou)t on this hed. The Apost&es did not disch'-e

thei' o""ice o" )indin- nd &oosin- )% he'in- Con"essions# )ut )% p'echin-

the -ospe&. N%# it is ce'tin tht in the )ette' -es# *hen Re&i-ion "&ou'ished#

the 'ite *s eithe' un3no*n o' not e'% co!!on&% 'eceied. It is )e%ond

dispute# tht "o' *ho&e thousnd %e's nd !o'e the Chu'ches *e'e "'ee

"'o! this &*# *hich the ne* !edito's o)t'ude upon us s pe'petu nd o"

the s!e dte s the -ospe&. 2ut i" this p'etended co-ni5nce is so necess'%

tht none )ut he *ho hs he'd cn "o'-ie sins# *e !ust ch'-e *ith

te!e'it%# not on&% && the !ost e1ce&&ent Psto's o" the P'i!itie Chu'ch# )ut

the Apost&es the!se&es# nd# )% conse0uence# the Mste' nd ?o'd o" & "o'

hin- d'ed to )ind nd &oose# *hi&e the% 3ne* nothin- o" the p'ctice o"

con"essin-6

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I 3no* tht the'e 'e !en *ho# *hen the% see n% p'ospect o" dncin-

thei' inte'est# 'e 'ed% to do n%thin- tht !% )e o'de'ed the!. And the

'eson *h% the% st'on-&% u'-e Con"ession is# )ecuse the% *ish to !3e the

*o'&d o)se0uious to the!# nd to ho&d it in su)/ection. On !n%= ccounts#

the'e"o'e# do the% contend tht the 'ite o" Con"ession is !ost use"u in othe' *o'ds# use"u )ecuse it suits thei' pe'son& inte'est. 2ut *hen the% he sid

& the !ost p&usi)&e thin- the% s% is# tht the% put the *ic3ed to the )&ush

once %e'. No dou)t# !uch p'o-'ess is !de *hen the sh!e o" !n *ei-hs

!o'e *ith us thn 'ee'ence "o' God nd n-e&s6 And %et e1pe'ience# the )est

o" teche's# te&&s us# tht een this is !ost "&se&% sse'ted. Fo' !en *nton in

sin the !o'e "'o! t'ustin- tht the% sh&& )e s"e# s soon s the% he

dis)u'dened the!se&es o" n%thin- *hich in*'d&% opp'esses the!# )%

pou'init into the e' o" P'iest. 7ust s i" the% cou&d escpe the t'i)un& o"

God )% de&e-tin- /ud-!ent to !en6 In sho't# /ust s d'un3'ds do# the%

p'ep'e the!se&es )% n e!etic "o' ne* de)uch.

2ut# on the othe' hnd# ho* st'on- the o)/ection *hich *e he to o""e'.

Is it not 3no*n tht "'o! this h%d' innu!e')&e ei&s sp'in-+ 2ut -'ntin-

tht *ht the% insist upon is t'ue# nothin- ou-ht to )e o" *ei-ht su""icient to

!3e us consent tht consciences sh&& )e )'ou-ht into )ond-e# the -'ce o"

Ch'ist p'ostituted# nd "ith opp'essed. Thou-h it *e'e !ost e1pedient# I s%#

tht !en shou&d )e "o'ced to con"ess thei' sins# %et to co&o' Con"ession ndho&d it "o'th s thin- necess'% to s&tion# is neithe' e1pedient no' &*"u&.

Consciences cnnot )e s0uee5ed )% the chins o" such &*s# *ithout )ein-

st'n-&ed. The'e"o'e t*istin- the! && sunde'# &et us &e'n to he && ou'

"ee&in-s in su)/ection to the p'o!ises o" "'ee !e'c% &one.

In &i3e !nne'# *hen Sc'iptu'e t'ets o" the spi'itu& "o'u! o" conscience#

the'e is no !ention o" Stis"ctions. The stis"ction o" Ch'ist is the on&% one

*hich not on&% e1e!pts us "'o! -ui&t nd &i)i&it% to ete'n& deth# )ut is the

p'ice tht )u%s o"" te!po'& punish!ents &so. The'e is so!ethin- p&usi)&e

t "i'st si-ht in the distinction tht the ete'n& punish!ent is "'ee&% "o'-ien

)% the )ene"it o" Ch'ist# nd the te!po'& )% ou' stis"ction# )ut on ne'e'

inspection it &to-ethe' nishes. Fi'st# *e he the opposition o" && the

p'ophets# *ho uni"o'!&% tt'i)ute 'e&1tion o" punish!ent to the Diine

!e'c%. 4ht God p'dons "'ee&%# it is ce'tin tht *e do not !e'it )% ou'

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*o'3s. 4hen the P'ophet int'oduces God s s%in-# “Fo' !% o*n s3e *i&& I

do it# not "o' %ou' s3es#$ 8 E5e3ie& 9;@@(


21/102

spontneous&% )et'%ed to Stn nd his !iniste's. 4he'e"o'e# *e !ust

)e*'e o" )ein- &u&&ed )% the si'en son-s# , “This is s!&& !tte' , this

*i&& )e !odi"ied )% suit)&e inte'p'ettion , this *i&& )e 3ept &tent , this

!% )e d!itted *ith no -'et dn-e'.$ ?et us 'the' he' Ch'ist

d!onishin- us# , “4&3 *hi&e %e he &i-ht.$ 8 7ohn 9;


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pe'"o'!ed. 2oth o" these 'e )so&ute&% necess'%. Fo' s *e so' o" nothin-

)ut e'th nd "&esh# so *e !esu'e God )% ou'se&es.

Hence it is tht *e &*%s t3e !o'e p&esu'e in e1te'n& sho*# *hich is o" no

&ue in the si-ht o" God# thn in tht in*'d *o'ship o" the he't# *hich&one he pp'oes nd 'e0ui'es. On the othe' hnd# the *ntonness o" ou'

!inds is noto'ious# *hich )'e3s "o'th# especi&&% in this 0u'te'# *he'e

nothin- t && ou-ht to he )een d'ed. Men &&o* the!se&es to deise &&

!odes o" *o'ship# nd chn-e nd 'echn-e the! t p&esu'e.

No' is this the "u&t o" ou' -e Een "'o! the )e-innin- o" the *o'&d# the

*o'&d spo'ted thus &icentious&% *ith God. He hi!se&" p'oc&i!s tht the'e is

nothin- he &ues !o'e thn o)edience. 8 S!ue& B;99.:

4he'e"o'e# && !odes o" *o'ship deised cont''% to his co!!nd# he not

on&% 'epudites s oid# )ut distinct&% conde!ns. 4h% need I dduce p'oo"s

in so c&e' !tte'+ Pss-es to this e""ect shou&d )e p'oe')i& !on-

Ch'istins.

4hen ou' -&ossin- !edito's c'e&ess&% o!it# nd do not een !3e sin-&e

o)se'tion on the "o'!e' )'nch# i# tht the 4o'ship o" God is spi'itu

*ht e&se do the% see3 thn so!e &u'3in- p&ce "o' deceit+

Assu!e# ho*ee'# tht this !% )e to&e'ted. 2ut *hen the% c&ss !on-

*o'3s# -ood in the!se&es# those *hich 'e o&unt'i&% unde't3en# *ithout

n% co!!nd "'o! God# the% pe'e't the *ho&e 'u&e o" 'i-ht nd -od&% &iin-.

Fo' *ht *i&& )eco!e o" the *o'ds# “In in do the% *o'ship !e# techin- "o'

doct'ines the co!!nd!ents o" !en#$ 8 Mtthe* B;: i" !en !% *nde'

t *i&& )e%ond the &* o" God+

The% c''% thei' e""'onte'% so "' s to s%# tht those *ho pp'oe not o"

4o'3s o" Supe'e'o-tion# 'e t 'ince *ith the Ho&% Spi'it. 4h% so+

Is it )ecuse the Spi'it o" God in Isih 8 Isih ;9: co!!ends *o'3s o" this

desc'iption# *hen he conde!ns those# *hich othe'*ise he the "i'est

ppe'nce# on the sin-&e -'ound tht God 'e0ui'es the! not t ou' hnds+ I

88 99 ::


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see thei' o)/ection. To se&& & to p'ctice pe'petu& i'-init%# to spend &)o' in

p'echin- -'tuitous&% "o' the Chu'ch# 'e not# indeed# co!!nded )% the

?o'd# )ut nee'the&ess p&ese hi!. M% ns*e' is# tht thou-h one *e'e to do

&& these t once# nd !o'e thn these# he *ou&d do no !o'e thn is contined

in the &*. Fo' *e 'e the'e o'de'ed to &oe the ?o'd *ith && ou' he't. 4ht!n -oes )e%ond this -o& *ith his pe'"ection+ I" the% 'e/oin# tht no speci&

co!!nd is -ien conce'nin- the *o'3s the!se&es# the ns*e' to this is &so

es%. These thin-s *ou&d neithe' )e suit)&e "o' & no' 'e the% du&%

unde't3en# s i" the% *e'e &id in the!se&es# o' s i" God *ished to )e so

*o'shipped. Shou&d n% one# not induced )% n% necess'% cuse# se&& && tht

he hs# nd cst o"" the c'e o" his "!i&%# s i" se&&in- *e'e in itse&" i'tue#

*ou&d he not /ust&% )e conicted o" "o&&%+ Ch'ist does not dd'ess &&

indisc'i!inte&% *hen he s%s# “Go nd se&& &$ 8 Mtthe* ;9: )ut hi!

*ho# "&se&% i!-inin- tht he hd pe'"o'!ed the *ho&e &*# *s s*o&&en *ith

in con"idence. To sho* hi! tht he *s sti&& "' "'o! co!p&ete pe'"ection#

Ch'ist touches the ice in *hich he *s indu&-in-# i5.# e1cessie ttch!ent

to his 'iches. 4hence it is p&in tht. such s&e *s co!p'ehended unde' the

co!!nd!ents o" the &*.

The s!e thin- !% )e sid o" Vi'-init%. Ee'% one ou-ht to see *ht his -i"t

is# &est &)o'in- unde' incontinence# *hi&e he spi'es to ce&i)c%# he *'est&e

*ith God. And then he *ho is endued *ith the -i"t o" continence# ou-ht notto p&u!e hi!se&" on his ce&i)c%# s i" he *e'e &edin- !o'e pe'"ect &i"e thn

othe's. Fo' neithe' is i'-init% p'ised s i" it *e'e i'tue in itse&"# )ut on&% in

'e"e'ence to its end# tht "'eed "'o! && octions *e !% )esto* ou' stud%

nd && ou' c'e !o'e "'ee&% on the se'ice o" God.

And *h% did Pu& 'e"'in "'o! t3in- stipend# )ut /ust to o)ite the !&ice

o" "&se post&es# *ho s3ed none in o'de' tht the% !i-ht th'o* sti-! on

his !inist'%# o' t. &est det'ct "'o! his utho'it%. In *ht 'espect# then# I

s3# does !iniste' supe'e'o-te )e%ond the !esu'e o" his dut%# *hen he

o!its nothin- *hich he sees *ou&d conduce to the -ood o" the Chu'ch+ Pu&

cou&d not he cted othe'*ise *ithout e1posin- hi!se&" to the !oc3e'% o"

the *ic3ed. 4ht then did he do tht# "i'st# he ou-ht not to he done( nd

tht# second&%# *s not p'esc'i)ed )% God The% &so put "o'*'d the e1!p&e

o" Did *ho dnced )e"o'e the '3.

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4ht hs this to do *ith the est)&ish!ent o" "ictitious !odes o" 4o'ship+ I"

Did hd it in his !ind to est)&ish so!e ne* *o'ship# *ho cn e1cuse his

te!e'it% in tte!ptin- thin- so st'ict&% p'ohi)ited )% the ?o'd+

8 Deute'ono!% 9;.: It *s ce'tin&% co!!on &* )indin- upon && tht

the% *e'e not to do s ech p&esed# )ut on&% s the ?o'd hd co!!nded. I"the'e"o'e Did dded n%thin- o" his o*n to the co!!nd!ent# he

i!p'ope'&% d'ed to do !o'e thn *s &*"u&. I" *e d!it tht he sinned#

*ht id cn pe'e'se e1!p&e -ie to his i!itto's+ I do not ho*ee'

concede tht# Did dnced *ith the intention o" e1hi)itin- *o'ship not

co!!nded hi!. It is *e&& enou-h 3no*n tht ce'e!onies *e'e species o"

e1e'cises o" piet%# *hich *e'e to )e esti!ted not so !uch in the!se&es s in

thei' end. 4ht then did Did !en )% tht dncin-# )ut /ust to conduct

the '3 o" the ?o'd *ith !-ni"icence to the p&ce diine&% destined nd

consec'ted "o' it+

A&thou-h the'e is no dou)t tht he *s &ed to this )% speci& inspi'tion o"

the Spi'it# *hich is &*%s to )e o)se'ed in the e1t'o'din'% ctin-s o" the

sints. 2ut &est n% one shou&d ci& nd s%# tht *e 'e too 'i-id in e1te'n&

!tte's *hen *e thus e1p'ess&% dest'o% && "'eedo!# I *ou&d he'e p'otest to

the pious 'ede' tht I ! not no* de)tin- )out Ce'e!onies *hich 'e on&%

su)se'ient to decenc% nd o'de'# o' *hich 'e si-ns o" nd incite!ents to

tht 'ee'ence *hich *e p% to God. 4e 'e disputin- )out *o'3s *hich the!edito's p'etend to )e p&esin- to God in the!se&es# nd )% *hich the%

""i'! tht he is du&% *o'shipped. Fo' *hen the% t&3 o" the 'i-hteousness o"

*o'3s# the% o)t'ude "ictions dded t the *i&& o" !n to the &* o" God. 4ho

sees not tht in this *% theἐθελοθρησκια8*i&&>*o'ship: conde!ned )% Pu& is

opposed to the co!!nd!ent o" God+ I den%# the'e"o'e# tht n% *o'ship o"

God is &e-iti!te# se tht *hich is 'e0ui'ed cco'din- to his *i&&. Tht &one

is te'!ed 'eson)&e )% Pu 8 Ro!ns 9;#: nd on this si!p&e -'ound# tht

*hen !en *ou&d )e *ise' thn the% ou-ht# the% *nde' "'o! 'eson nd the'i-ht pth. " inte'!edite *o'3s# the choice o" *hich is "'ee# the'e *i&& )e

"itte' oppo'tunit% o" spe3in- e&se*he'e; I on&% *ished to sho*# tht i" *o'3s

unde't3en )% us *ithout the co!!nd o" God 'e &&o*ed to c'eep in nd

"o'! p't o" diine *o'ship nd spi'itu& 'i-hteousness# the chie" thin- in

'e&i-ion is oe'th'o*n.

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iii

the church

a. apostolic succession

As ou' !edito's in de&ie'in- "o'!u& o" Re"o'!tion# "te' the% he

t'eted o" 7usti"iction# co!e do*n to the Chu'ch# *e !ust see ho* "' 't%

pious !n# *ho is un*i&&in- to )ndon the t'uth# !% )e pe'!itted to

c0uiesce in thei' dec'ees. The !'3s *hich the% set do*n "o' disce'nin- the

Chu'ch# i5.# pu'e doct'ine# the 'i-ht use o" the sc'!ents# nd the ho&%

unit%# the'eon dependin-# I *i&&in-&% 'eceie. 2ut *ho pe'ceies not tht

*ht the% dd )out the Succession o" 2ishops is cptious&% sid+ 4e

!intin# not *ithout 'eson# tht "o' see'& centu'ies the Chu'ch *s so

to'n nd dis!nt&ed# tht it *s destitute o" t'ue psto's. 4e !intin tht

those *ho ssu!ed the tit&e to the!se&es *e'e nothin- &ess thn psto's. Ou'

!edito's not on&% insist on *o&es )ein- 'e-'ded s shephe'ds# )ut ""i'!

tht the Chu'ch is not to )e sou-ht n%*he'e e&se thn !on- the!.

4e ce'tin&% den% not tht the Chu'ch o" God hs &*%s e1isted in the

*o'&d( "o' *e he' *ht God p'o!ises conce'nin- the pe'petuit% o" the seed

o" Ch'ist. In this *%# too# *e den% not tht the'e hs )een n uninte''upted

succession o" the Chu'ch "'o! the )e-innin- o" the -ospe& een to ou' d%()ut *e do not concede tht it *s so "i1ed to e1te'n& sho*s , tht it hs

hithe'to &*%s )een# nd *i&& hence"o'th &*%s )e6# in possession o" the

2ishops. And ho*# p'%# do the% p'oe this to )e necess'%+ No p'o!ise cn

n%*he'e )e "ound. N% 'the'# *hen Pete' d!onishes us tht the'e *i&& )e

"&se teche's in the Chu'ch# s the'e *e'e !on- the ncient peop&e# 8 9

Pete' 9;: nd Pu& dec&'es tht Antich'ist *i&& sit in the te!p&e o" God# 8 9

Thess&onins 9;@#: the% point not to "o'ei-n ene!ies *ho )% io&ent i''uption

nd "o' &itt&e ti!e distu') the Chu'ch; the% spe3 o" *ht is c&&ed the

o'din'% d!inist'tion o" P'e&tes# tht no one !i-ht d'e! o" t'n0ui& nd

"&ou'ishin- stte o" the 3in-do! o" Ch'ist. The'e"o'e# i" the Chu'ch 'esides in

the successo's o" the Apost&es# &et us Se'ch "o' successo's !on- those on&%

*ho he "ith"u&&% hnded do*n thei' doct'ine to poste'it%.

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I 3no* tht this continuous Succession is e1to&&ed )% I'eneus# O'i-en#

Au-ustine# nd so!e othe' ncient *'ite's. 2ut it is !e'e i!position to

tte!pt to e!p&o% thei' testi!on% in de"ense o" the t%'nn% o" the Ppc%#

*hich hs nothin- in co!!on *ith the ncient "o'! o" the Chu'ch. I'eneus

nd O'i-en hd to do *ith )se !isc'ents# *ho# *hi&e the% dnced!onst'ous e''o's# -e out tht the% hd 'eceied the! )% diine 'ee&tion.

This "&sehood *s esi&% 'e"uted# s !n% *e'e sti&& &ie *ho hd )een

"!i&i' *ith the discip&es o" the Apost&es. The 'e!e!)'nce o" the doct'ine

*hich the Apost&es hd de&ie'ed *s 'ecent.

The e'% *&&s# in !nne'# sti&& 'e>echoed *ith thei' oice. Is it st'n-e tht

those ho&% !en cited s *itnesses the Chu'ches *hich hd )oth )een

constituted )% the Apost&es# nd hd# *ithout cont'oe's%# 'etined thei'

constitution+ Au-ustine *s contendin- *ith the Dontists# *ho# in"&ted

*ith "'ntic p'ide# )osted tht the% &one possessed the Chu'ch# thou-h

the'e *s no 'eson *h% the% shou&d dissent "'o! othe's. Au-ustine o)/ects

to the!# tht the Chu'ches *hich the% 'epudited# nd "'o! *hich the% hd

)eco!e schis!tics# hd "&o*ed in uninte''upted succession "'o! the

Apost&es. This he did on the )est -'ounds# s the Dontists c3no*&ed-ed

tht these Chu'ches hd pe'see'ed in the doct'ine *hich the% hd o'i-in&&%

'eceied.

Ve'% di""e'ent is ou' cse; "o' *e den% the tit&e o" Successo's o" the Apost&es to

those *ho he )ndoned thei' "ith nd doct'ine. Those pe'"idious

!edito's *ho con"ound &i-ht nd d'3ness 'e not i-no'nt ho* un&i3e# o'

'the' ho* cont''%# the p'esent pe'e'ted -oe'n!ent is to the ncient

-oe'n!ent o" the Chu'ch. 4ht e""'onte'%# then# is it to use the n!e o" the

Chu'ch he'se&" s c&o3 "o' opp'essin- the Chu'ch+

4ou&d tht the Succession *hich# the% "&se&% &&e-e hd continued unti& this

d%; *ith us it *ou&d he no di""icu&t% in o)tinin- the 'ee'ence *hich it

dese'es. ?et the Pope# I s%# )e the successo' o" Pete'# p'oided he pe'"o'!

the o""ice o" n Apost&e. 4he'ein does Succession consist# i" it )e not in

pe'petuit% o" doct'ine+ 2ut i" the doct'ine o" the Apost&es hs )een co''upted#

n%# )o&ished nd e1tin-uished )% those *ho *ou&d )e 'e-'ded s thei'

successo's# *ho *ou&d not de'ide thei' "oo&ish )ostin-+

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2% the s!e 3ind o" '-u!ent I !i-ht p'oe tht && t%'nts he )een the

)est suppo'te's o" "'eedo!# since the'e *s n uninte''upted t'nsition "'o!

the 'epu)&ic to thei' !on'ch%. 4hethe' it no* )e so &et "ct dete'!ine. 2ut

ou' !edito's pu'pose&% endeo' to p'eent this esti!te "'o! )ein- !de#

)% 'isin- p'e/udice in "o' o" the doct'ine "'o! the hono' *hich the%)esto* on the pe'sons.

2'ie"&% to conc&ude this p't o" ou' su)/ect; 4e 'e in se'ch o" the Chu'ch o"

God. 4e && d!it it to he )een so p'op-ted "'o! the )e-innin-# s to

he continued th'ou-h n uninte''upted se'ies o" -es do*n to ou' d%# nd

to )e di""used t p'esent oe' the *ho&e *o'&d. Anothe' 0uestion 'e!ins#

i5.# Is it tied do*n to pe'sons+ A&thou-h *e see ho* pe'i&ous it is to d!it

this# sti&& *e 'e un*i&&in- to )e so e'% so&icitous in t3in- p'ecutions "o' the

"utu'e. 2ut *hen the n!e o" the Chu'ch is usu'ped )% those *ho# s "' s in

the! &%# he utte'&% dest'o%ed it# ho* dst'd&% *e'e it not to 'ec&i! t

&est -inst the p'esent ei&+ Hi&'ius# een in his ti!e# sid tht the Chu'ch

'the' &u'3ed in ce'ns thn shone conspicuous in p'i!'% sees. 4ht

&!enttions cn su""ice to dep&o'e the "e'"u& desttion *hich st&3s )'od

ee'%*he'e in the p'esent d%+

The 3no*&ed-e o" the Chu'ch !ust the'e"o'e )e sou-ht e&se*he'e thn "'o!

the tit&es o" !en( nd in in do *e -o 'ound se'chin- "o' it *hi&e the t'uest!ethod spontneous&% p'esents itse&". 4ho o" us# to 'eco-ni5e !n# *ou&d

&oo3 t his shoes o' his "eet+ 4h% then# in su'e%in- the Chu'ch# do *e not

)e-in t its hed# seein- tht Ch'ist hi!se&" inites us to do so+ he s%s#

“4he'e the c'css is# the'e *i&& the e-&es )e -the'ed to-ethe'.$ 8 Mtthe*

9@;9.:

4he'e"o'e# i" *e *ou&d unite in ho&din- unit% o" the Chu'ch# &et it )e )%

co!!on consent on&% to the t'uth o" Ch'ist.

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29/102

?et the !edito's# then# en/o% thei' o*n s the% p&ese# p'oided *e 'e t

&i)e't% to 'epudite those *hich && !en o" sense# t &est *hen in"o'!ed on

the su)/ect# *i&& pe'ceie to )e not o" diine o'i-in&.

Ne1t co!es the 'i-ht o" inte'p'etin-# in suppo't o" *hich# s )e&on-in- tothei' "ncied Chu'ch# the !edito's dduce the testi!on% o" Pete'# tht no

Sc'iptu'e is o" p'ite inte'p'ettion# )ecuse the P'ophets did not spe3 o"

the!se&es# )ut s the% *e'e i!pe&&ed )% the Ho&% Spi'it. Thei' in"e'ence *i&&

i& the! &itt&e *ith inte&&i-ent !en. Pete' d!onishes us tht the

p'ophecies cn no* )e no !o'e unde'stood )% the pe'spiccit% o" the hu!n

!ind thn the% cou&d t "i'st he )een co!posed )% it. He the'e"o'e e1ho'ts#

tht s the% c!e do*n "'o! heen# so *e shou&d p'% to he thei' -enuine

!enin- opened to us )% the Spi'it o" God. Nothin- is to )e -ien to !)ition

, nothin- to ''o-nce. 2ut does it thence "o&&o* tht 'i-ht o" inte'p'etin-

hs )een cone%ed to "e*+ The% &so )'in- "o'*'d# tht the Spi'it *s

p'o!ised to the Chu'ch to -uide he' unto && t'uth# nd )'in- to !ind

*htee' Ch'ist hd tu-ht. 2ut *hi&e the%# in the !en ti!e# 'o) the

Chu'ch o" *ht *s -ien he' )% Ch'ist# does not thei' deceit dese'e to )e

e1posed+

The Spi'it o" God "u'nishes the -i"t o" inte'p'ettion to those to *ho! he

thin3s "it to -ie it "o' the co!!on edi"iction o" the Chu'ch. The e""ect nduse o" this -i"t is not on&% supp'essed )ut nnihi&ted )% those *ho -ie the

)ishops so&e po*e' to dictte to othe's *ht the% !ust "o&&o*. It o"ten

hppens tht the )ishops he no 3no*&ed-e o" the -enuine !enin- o"

Sc'iptu'e. Then those *ho "o'ce us to )ide )% thei' in/unctions# '!

!d!en *ith s*o'd )% *hich the% cn !ise')&% hc3 the *ho&e o"

Sc'iptu'e to pieces. In sho't# *hosoee' su)/ects the !enin- o" Sc'iptu'e to

the *i&& o" the )ishops# 3i&&s the sou nd &ees nothin- )ut &i"e&ess co'pse.

4e !ust d'- "o'th the sn3e *hich the !edito's hide !on- the )'!)&es.

Thei' o)/ect is# tht the'e !% )e nothin- in Sc'iptu'e so c&e' nd st'on- s

not to )e eded )% one *o'd# i" it hppens not to# )e -'ee)&e to the ho'ned

he'd.

The thi'd p't o" ecc&esistic& po*e' ou' !edito's p&ce in the snctu'% o"

doct'ines s *e&& s &*s. The "o'!e' species the% c&& T'ditions# *hich# i"

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31/102

&*s o" !en. It hs )een done ho*ee'. Not on&% hs tht &i)e'& -oe'n!ent

)een t3en *%# )ut sou&s he )een "o'ced s it *e'e into !e'e s&u-hte'>

house( t &est the necess'% 'esu&t is# tht the% !ust )e 3ept in stte o"

constnt to'tu'e. Fo' so!e o" the! 'e open&% 'epu-nnt to the p'esc'i)ed

'u&e o" God# *hi&e the o)se'nce o" othe's is i!possi)&e. Ket so "' 'e those *ho ho&d the 'eins "'o! cu')in- this t%'nn%# tht thei' on&% thou-ht is to

est)&ish it( nd no* ou' !ode'te !en# )% )'in-in- "o'*'d the utho'it% o"

the Chu'ch# !3e the!se&es the too&s o" this un-od&% t%'nn%.

The'e is the othe' ei the co''ection o" *hich is not &ess necess'%. The &*s

*hich the t%'nts 'eco!!end unde' the n!e o" the Chu'ch the% te'!

Spi'itu s )ein- destined to 'u&e the conscience. An ppend-e to this ei& is

the supe'stition *hich I !entioned# i5.# thei' p'etense tht the o)se'nce o"

the! pe'tins to the *o'ship o" God. 2ut God c&i!s spi'itu& -oe'n!ent "o'

hi!se&" &one# nd "o' his *o'd# tht conscience untouched )% !n !% &e'n

to &oo3 on&% to his *o'd. “The'e is one ?*-ie'#$ s%s 7!es# 8 7!es @;9#:

“*ho is )&e to se nd to dest'o%.$ And Pu& st'ict&% d!onishes us# *ho

he )een set "'ee )% the )ene"it o" Ch'ist# not to ens&e ou'se&es to !en.

8 Co'inthins ;9


32/102

o""ice *hich Ch'ist )esto*ed upon hi!# he ssi-ned to othe's# *ho! he

e1ho'ts to "eed the "&oc3 o" Ch'ist. 8 Pete' B;9.: Acco'din- to the!# Pete'

*s to -oe'n the *ho&e Chu'ch# )ecuse it *s sid to hi!# “Feed !%

sheep.$ The'e"o'e# *hen he *'ites( tht the s!e thin- *s to )e 'i-ht"u&&%

done )% othe's# he eithe' con"e's on the! the 'i-ht )esto*ed upon hi!se&"# o'he sh'es it e0u&&% &on- *ith the!.

2ut the% spo't too *nton&% *ith Sc'iptu'e *hen the% p'etend tht the *ho&e

Chu'ch is co!p'ehended unde' the n!e o" “sheep.$ he *s indeed

shephe'd o" the sheep o" Ch'ist( tht is# those o" the! on *ho! he )esto*ed

his &)o'# nd s "' s his !inist'% cou&d e1tend. Fo' i" he *s to p'eside oe'

&& Chu'ches *ith p&enitude o" po*e'# s ou' !edito's p'te# Pu& cted

un/ust&% in den%in- hi! supe'io' 'n3. 2ut *ho ee' he'd te&& o" Pete'

hin- c&i!ed n%thin- "o' hi!se&" in 'e-'d to othe' st'n-e Chu'ches+

N%# 'the'# *hen he is sent )% the Chu'ch# he o)e%s &i3e n% othe' one o" the

!eetin-. I den% hot tht he *s distin-uished !on- othe's# nd tht#

)ecuse o" the e1ce&&ent -i"ts in *hich he e1ce&&ed# the hono' o" the "i'st p&ce

in && thei' !eetin-s *s ssi-ned to hi!. 2ut to he the co!!nd o" the

*ho&e *o'&d is e'% di""e'ent thin- "'o! p'esidin- oe' s!&& )od% o" !en.

2ut &et us ssu!e tht && *hich the% p'etend *s -ien to Pete'; *ho cn

concede tht it *s -ien s Pt'i!on% *hich he !i-ht t'ns!it to hei's+

The% s% he &e"t to successo's the s!e 'i-ht *hich he hd 'eceied.

The'e"o'e# ee'% one *ho is successo' o" Pete' !ust )e Stn# since this

epithet *s pp&ied to hi!6 4he'e is the'e n% !ention o" Succession+

4hen Pu& t'ets p'o"essed&% o" the *ho&e d!inist'tion o" the Chu'ch# he

neithe' ppoints one hed# no' !3es the p'i!c% he'edit'%( nd %et in tht

p&ce he is *ho&&% intent on co!!endin- unit%. A"te' !entionin- tht the'e is

one God the Fthe'# one Ch'ist# one Spi'it# one )od% o" the Chu'ch# one

)ptis!# he desc'i)es the !ode o" p'ese'in- unit%# i5.# tht to ech o" the

psto's -'ce *s dist'i)uted cco'din- to the !esu'e )esto*ed upon the!

)% Ch'ist. 4he'e is the p&enitude o" po*e' *hen he 'e"e's ech to ce'tin

!esu'e+ 4h% did he not i!!edite&% dd one Pope+ Nothin- *ou&d he

)een !o'e pp'op'ite to the occsion hd the "ct )een so.

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?et us -'nt# !o'eoe'# tht pe'petuit% o" P'i!c% in the Chu'ch *s

snctioned i&& Pete'. 4h% shou&d the Set o" P'i!c% )e "ound t Ro!e 'the'

thn e&se*he'e+ The 'eson the% &&e-e is# tht it *s the See o" Pete'( /ust s

i" one *e'e to p&ce the p'incip& See o" the 7e*ish Chu'ch in the dese't#

)ecuse the'e Moses the -'etest o" P'ophets# nd A'on the Hi-h P'iest#pe'"o'!ed thei' o""ice een ti&& deth. 2ut &et the 'eson )e -ood. 4ht o"

Antioch+ The% p'e"e' Ro!e )ecuse Pu& died the'e. 2ut the'e 'e p'o))&e

-'ounds "o' in"e''in- tht *ht the% s% o" the Ro!n Episcopte o" JPete' is

")u&ous. Pu& s&utes see'& p'ite indiidu&s *hen he *'ites to the

Chu'ch o" Ro!e. Th'ee %e's "te' he is c''ied thithe' p'isone'( ?u3e

'e&tes tht he *s 'eceied )% the )'eth'en( , sti&& the'e is no !ention o"

Pete'. Pu& *'ites 'ious Epist&es "'o! p'ison; he !entions the n!es o"

ce'tin pe'sons o" no !en 'n3( , the'e is no p&ce "o' Pete' !on- the!. I"

he *e'e the'e# such si&ence *ou&d )e !'3ed insu&t6 Then# *hen he

co!p&ins tht t his "i'st de"ense no !n stood )% hi!# *ou&d he not ""i1

the sti-! o" e1t'e!e pe'"id% on Pete' i" he *s then the Psto' o" the cit%+

A-in# *hen# in nothe' p&ce# he -&nces t && *ho! he hd *ith hi!# *ho

cn )e&iee tht Pete' *s o" the nu!)e'+ And %et this is &!ost the *ho&e

ti!e *hich the% ssi-n to his Ro!n See.

2ut *ithout 'isin- tht 0uestion# I" Ro!e o)tins the P'i!c% )ecuse it

*s Pete'=s &st See# *h% does not Antioch ho&d the second p&ce t &est!on- the Pt'i'chtes+ 4h% *e'e 7!es nd 7ohn# *ho ppe'ed to )e

pi&&'s &on- *ith Pete'# un)&e to c0ui'e the ne1t di-nit% "o' thei' Sees+

Ho* p'eposte'ous *s the !ode o" dist'i)ution# *hen the% p'e"e''ed

A&e1nd'i# the see o" M'3# *ho *s on&% one o" the discip&es# to Ephesus

nd 7e'us&e!+ 2ut I desist "'o! co!p'in- Apost&es to-ethe'.

4he'e did the ?o'd nd Mste' o" & )e"o'e *hose sp&endo' && othe' di-nit%

nishes *%# pe'"o'! the o""ice o" Hi-h>P'iest# )oth in techin- nd d%in-#

)ut t 7e'us&e!+ Sh&& 7e'us&e! then )e no See o" Ch'ist# nd Ro!e sei5e

upon the hono'+ To this *e dd# tht the post&eship o" Pete' *s speci&&% to

the 7e*s# s Pu& testi"ies# nd the'e"o'e p'ope'&% hs no 'e"e'ence to us. ?et

us &ee it to the 7e*s# then# *hose 0uestion it is# to de)te )out this

succession.

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4ith the s!e !odest% the% p'oduce C%p'in s *itness in this cuse ,

C%p'in# *ho ch'-es 2ishops *ith t%'nnic& p'ide i" the% ''o-te to

the!se&es n% utho'it% oe' thei' co&&e-ues6 He indeed co!!ends one

)ishop'ic# )ut it is the )ishop'ic o" Ch'ist# o" *hich ech )ishop ho&ds p't in

so&idu! # s he e1p'esses it. 2ut he "te'*'ds sttes tht schis!s 'ose "'o!conte!pt o" the Chie" P'iest. See thei' in-enuousness6 4ht C%p'in s%s o"

the ?eitic& p'iesthood the% *'est to the Ppc%. Fo'# i" C%p'in 'e-'ded &&

s schis!tics *ho 'e"use to# su)!it to the Ro!n Ponti""# *ht p&ce is he

hi!se&" to occup% "te' hin- inei-hed so "'ee&% -inst Stephen# not on&%

ch'-in- hi! *ith i-no'nce nd ''o-nce# )ut "o'cin- hi! )c3 into his

p'ope' p&ce# s i" he *e'e one o" the co!!on he'd+ 4he'e"o'e# &et the! he'e

cese so i!pudent&% to )use the testi!on% o" God nd !n.

2ut it is use"u& !ens o" 'e!oin- dissension# the% s%# tht the'e )e one o"

e!inence *ho! && 'e co!pe&&ed to o)e%. O" this# then# &et the! &ee the

Chu'ch t &i)e't% to consu&t( nd &et the! not p'etend tht n ppoint!ent

*hich ou-ht to )e !de on -'ounds o" e1pedienc% *s p'esc'i)ed )% God.

2ut een this e1pedienc% is "&se&% p'etended# especi&&% *hi&e the p&enitude

o" po*e' o" *hich the% )ost )'e3s out into &icentiousness# nd cn no !o'e

)e sep'ted "'o! t%'nn% thn the "i'e cn )e sep'ted "'o! its o*n het.

And not to continue &on-e' he'e# i" p&en'% po*e' oe' the Ch'istin *o'&d is

nothin- e&se thn n Unie's& 2ishop'ic# G'e-o'% ee'%*he'e denounces it sne"'ious nd )&sphe!ous# nd "it on&% "o' Antich'ist6 To *ho! sh&& *e

-ie c'edit on the su)/ect o" the Ppc% !o'e 'edi&% thn to Pope+ ?et the

Ro!n Ponti"" no* p&u!e hi!se&" s he *i&& on this utho'it% *hich "&tte'e's

sc'i)e to hi!; *ith !en o" sense he *i&& do no !o'e thn sho* hi!se&" to )e

Antich'ist6

No*# to &ee ee'%thin- e&se# i" the% *ish the Ro!n Ponti"" to )e

'eco-ni5ed s Hed o" the *ho&e Chu'ch# the% !ust# in the "i'st p&ce# -ie us

t'ue )ishop( "o' *ho is to he p'e>e!inence !on- )ishops )ut one# nd n

e1ce&&ent one in the o'de' o" )ishops+ The% the!se&es# *hen the% *ou&d

dec3 out the Ppc%# he ee' in thei' !ouths the Succession o" Pete' nd

Vice-e'enc% o" Ch'ist. 4i&& ou' !edito's then he the udcit% to -ie the

n!e o" Ch'ist=s Vic' to one *ho# "te' 'outin- the t'uth o" Ch'ist#

e1tin-uishin- the &i-ht o" the -ospe oe'th'o*in- the s&tion o" !en#

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co''uptin- nd p'o"nin- the *o'ship o" God# nd t'!p&in- do*n nd

te'in- to pieces && his sc'ed institutions# do!inee's &i3e )')'in+

4ht 'ese!)&nce# I s3# hs the Pope to Ch'ist# tht he shou&d )e his

su)stitute nd 'ep'esenttie+ 4ht hs his t%'nn% in co!!on *ith the!inist'% o" Pete'# tht he shou&d )e dee!ed Pete'=s successo'+ The'e"o'e# in

o'de' to ou' co!in- to n -'ee!ent conce'nin- the P'i!c%# *e !ust set out

*ith insistin- tht he on *ho! *e con"e' the "i'st p&ce in the Chu'ch sh&&

p'oe hi!se&" to )e t'u&% )ishop. Fo' he *ho &%s it do*n s the )ond o"

unit%# tht# )e the Ro!n 2ishop *ht he !%# the *ho&e *o'&d shou&d )e

su)/ect to hi!# cn nee' -in his point in n% othe' *% thn )% sti''in- up

n i!pious 'eo&t "'o! Ch'ist.

iv

the sacraments

In the Sc'!ents ou' *o'th% nd i!p'ti& pci"icto's sho* this !uch

!ode'tion# tht the nu!)e' seen# *hich *s 'sh&% deised )% the

p'esu!ption o" un&e'ned !en# nd c'ept in th'ou-h the "oo&ish c'edu&it% o"

the *o'&d# is to )e 'etined s sc'ed. I !ust ee' )e ent'etin- !% 'ede's to

'e"&ect on the *ei-ht nd !-nitude o" the cuse unde' discussion. Ch'ist

instituted the Sc'!ents to )e not on&% s%!)o&s o" the t'ue 'e&i-ion# *hich!i-ht distin-uish the chi&d'en o" God "'o! the p'o"ne# )ut &so eidences#

nd the'e"o'e p&ed-es o" the diine "o' to*'d us. In 2ptis!# )oth

"o'-ieness o" sins nd the spi'it o" 'e-ene'tion 'e o""e'ed to us( in the Ho&%

Suppe' *e 'e inited to en/o% the &i"e o" Ch'ist &on- *ith && his )ene"its.

4he'e 'e *e to stop i" *ith these the "ictions o" !en 'e inte'!in-&ed+

The% p'etend# indeed# tht God is the utho' o" the *ho&e. This su)/ect *i&&

)e discussed "te'*'ds. At p'esent# I on&% s% tht *e sh&& )e dst'd&%

indeed i" *e &&o* n% Ce'e!onies *htsoee'# the o""sp'in- o" hu!n

)'ins# to )e put on "ootin- *ith those so&e!n !%ste'ies in *hich the su! o"

ou' s&tion is contined. 4hen Ch'ist s3s# *hethe' the 2ptis! o" 7ohn

*s "'o! heen o' o" !en+ 8 Mtthe* 9;9B#: he inti!tes# tht it *s not to

)e 'e-'ded s &e-iti!te nd )indin- i" it *s not o" diine ppoint!ent. The

s!e ho&ds -ood in && the Sc'!ents.

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And# indeed# *hi&e these !edito's p'o"ess tht the Sc'!ents not on&%

ttest )ut e1hi)it thin-s )oe the 'ech nd "cu&t% o" !en# it is p&in tht

the pe'e'seness is e1t'e!e *hich *ou&d su)/ect the! to the *i&& o" !en.

Tht t*o Sc'!ents *e'e co!!itted to us )% Ch'ist is undisputed. O" the

othe' "ie# then# &et us see *ht *e ou-ht to thin3.

a. baptism

2e"o'e p'oceedin-# ho*ee'# it !% )e *o'th *hi&e )'ie"&% to o)se'e in

'e-'d to 2ptis! tht *ht the% s% o" its )so&ute necessit% !i-ht )ette'

he )een o!itted. Fo'# )esides t%in- do*n the s&tion o" !en to e1te'n&

si-ns# no s!&& in/ustice is done to the p'o!ise# s i" it *e'e un)&e to -ie the

s&tion *hich it o""e's un&ess its su""icienc% *e'e ided "'o! nothe'

0u'te'. The o""sp'in- o" )e&iee's is )o'n ho&%# )ecuse thei' chi&d'en# *hi&e

%et in the *o!)# )e"o'e the% )'ethe the it& i'# 'e inc&uded in the

coennt o" ete'n& &i"e. No'# indeed# 'e the% d!itted into the Chu'ch )%

)ptis! on n% othe' -'ound thn tht the% )e&on-ed to the )od% o" Ch'ist

)e"o'e the% *e'e )o'n. He *ho d!its n% othe's to )ptis! p'o"nes it.

No*# then# *hen the% !3e )ptis! to )e so necess'% tht the% e1c&ude && *ho he not )een dipped *ith it "'o! the hope o" s&tion# the% )oth insu&t

God nd &so ino&e the!se&es in -'et )su'dit%. Fo' ho* cou&d it )e

&*"u& to put the sc'ed i!p'ess o" Ch'ist on st'n-e's+ 2ptis! !ust#

the'e"o'e# )e p'eceded )% the -i"t o" doption# *hich is not the cuse !e'e&%

o" p'ti& s&tion# )ut )esto*s s&tion enti'e# nd is "te'*'ds 'ti"ied

)% )ptis!.

Hence# s e''o' usu&&% sp'in-s "'o! e''o'# the o""ice o" )pti5in-# *hich

Ch'ist co!!itted to the Ministe's o" the Chu'ch &one# the% de&e-te not to

n% co!!on indiidu& !on- the peop&e# )ut to si&&% *o!en. I do not notice

tht *hen discussin- the "o'! o" )ptis! the% postpone the e1p&ntion o"

the doct'ine s i" it *e'e o" &itt&e !o!ent# nd insist on the )'e p'onuncition

o" the *o'ds; s i" Ch'ist# *hen he o'de'ed his Apost&es to )pti5e in the n!e

o" the Fthe'# nd o" the Son# nd o" the Ho&% Spi'it# hd dictted so!e 3ind

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o" !-ic& ch'!# nd not 'the' !ent su!!'i&% to indicte *hence the

*ho&e e""icc% o" )ptis! "&o*s# in *hose n!e nd )% *hose o'de' it is

d!iniste'ed# on *ht "ith it depends# nd to *ht end it ou-ht to )e

'e"e''ed.

A&& the Ce'e!onies )% *hich poste'it% hs p't&% itited# p't&% o)scu'ed#

the pu'e 2ptis! o" Ch'ist# the% o'de' to )e &e"t untouched( n%# i" the% he

)een n%*he'e )o&ished the% 'e to )e 'esto'ed. 4ht e&se is this thn to soi&

the heen&% &e' o" Ch'ist *ith the !udd% i!pu'ities o" !n+ Ch'ist

co!!nded the si!p&e s%!)o& o" *te'. 4ith it# s *s 'i-ht# the Apost&es

*e'e contented. The s!e so)e'ness did not p'ei& *ith thei' successo's.

The% )ec!e de&i-hted *ith the oi& nd the tpe' nd si!i&' "o&&ies. At

&en-th# s is usu pe'e'se supe'stition c'ept in# nd the ch'is! dded )%

!n *s conside'ed o" !o'e &ue thn the *te' consec'ted )% Ch'ist6 The

*te' itse&" )ehooed to )e consec'ted )% ne* nd sho*% 'ite# s i" it *e'e

othe'*ise p'o"ne. In sho't# the ct o" )pti5in- hs )een co!pounded o" so

!n% 'ious p'ts tht the s%!)o& o" *te'# *hich &one ou-ht to he )een

conspicuous# is &ost !on- the c'o*d.

Ou' supe'stitious !ste's &&e-e tht these dditions se'e to do'n 2ptis!#

)ut the "ct p'oc&i!s tht the pu'e d!inist'tion o" it is 'the' o)scu'ed.

The'e *s need t &est o" so!e co''ection. Ou' !edito's# so "' "'o!d!ittin- this# distinct&% p'oide tht nothin- is to )e touched.

?et this !uch )e -'nted to ncient custo!# tht thin-s *hich 'e not on&%

supe'"&uous# )ut use&ess# !% )e to&e'ted. 2ut *ht i" n% 'e "ound to )e

)su'd nd 'idicu&ous# nd &itt&e suited to the di-nit% o" the o'dinnce+

The% *i&& the!se&es )e "o'ced to d!it tht o" this so't is the spitt&e *ith

*hich the% !oisten the in"nt=s &ips. Ch'ist nointed the !outh o" the du!)

!n# *hose speech he *s )out to 'esto'e# *ith spitt&e. Ho* p'eposte'ous

the i!ittion *hich t'ies the s!e thin- on in"nts6 Is it thus tht the !i'c&es

o" Ch'ist )ehooe to )e co!!e!o'ted+ This !oc3e'%# 8*hence o' *hen it

'ose is un3no*n# )ut it ce'tin&% hs no utho'it% o" *ei-ht#: *hen the%

o)stinte&% de"end# do the% not p&in&% sho* tht thei' o)/ect is not to &ee

us one sp'3 o" &i-ht+

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b. the lord’s supper

In t'etin- o" the Suppe' the% )'in- )c3 the "iction o" T'nsu)stntition#

-inst *hich && 'e "o'ced to p'otest *ho 'e un*i&&in- tht the t'ue use o"the Suppe' shou&d )e &ost to the!. A co!!on p'ope't% o" the Sc'!ents is#

tht in !nne' dpted to the hu!n inte&&ect the% e1hi)it *ht is spi'itu&

)% isi)&e si-n. The spi'itu& !enin- o" the Suppe' is# tht the "&esh o"

Ch'ist is the !et nd his )&ood the d'in3 on *hich ou' sou&s 'e "ed. Un&ess

the si-n co''espond to this the ntu'e o" the Sc'!ent is dest'o%ed. It is

the'e"o'e necess'% tht the )'ed nd *ine )e he&d "o'th to us# tht "'o!

the! *e !% &e'n *ht Ch'ist sets )e"o'e us in "i-u'e. 2ut i" the )'ed

*hich *e see is n e!pt% sho*# *ht *i&& it ttest to us )ut n e!pt% shdo*

o" the "&esh o" Ch'ist+ The% p'etend tht the'e is on&% n ppe'nce o" )'ed#

*hich deceies the e%e. Ho* "' *i&& this phnto! c''% us+ 2e&iee's# in

o'de' to 'eco-ni5e the t'ue "eedin- o" the sou !ust the'e"o'e stop t the si-n

*hich co''esponds to the )od% on *hich the% 'e to "eed. In sho't# the o)/ect

o" the Sc'!ents is to e""ect# )% n n&o-% )et*een the si-n nd the thin-

si-ni"ied# 3ind o" t'nsition "'o! the )odi&% sense to the unde'stndin-

!ind.

4ht do ou' *o'th% !ode'to's s%+ Kou 'e !ist3en in thin3in- %ou tste)'ed nd *ine. Tht *hich *s )'ed hs cesed to )e so# nd nothin-

'e!ins )ut spect'u! 6 O" *ht thin- then *i&& it )e to !e s%!)o&+ To

!3e the !tte' p&ine'# &et us )o''o* si!i&itude "'o! 2ptis!. Shou&d n%

one den% tht *ht *e 'e the'e *shed *ith is *te'# *i&& not the *ho&e

'e&it% o" )ptis! i!!edite&% nish+ Fo' *ho cn pe'sude hi!se&" tht he

hs the *shin- o" 'e-ene'tion i" he "inds nothin- o" the 3ind in the si-n+

The'e"o'e# in o'de' tht the Sc'!ent !% )e )ene"ici& to us# *e !ust

nee' &&o* ou'se&es to )e d'ien "'o! this position# *hich is &so con"i'!ed

)% see'& st'on- pss-es o" Sc'iptu'e , tht the )'ed *hich is )'o3en

!on- us is theκοινωνια8co!!union: o" the )od%# nd tht# in &i3e !nne'#

the *ine is the co!!union o" the )&ood o" Ch'ist.

In ddition to the c&e' testi!on% o" Sc'iptu'e *e he the consent o" the

P'i!itie Chu'ch. Nothin- is !o'e ce'tin thn tht this d'e!# *hich did

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not co!e into the !ind o" n% !n "o' !o'e thn si1 hund'ed %e's# sudden&%

e!e'-ed# &i3e 3ind o" )o'tion# "'o! )'*&in- sophists( nd %et so st'on-

*s the )e&ie" o" the n&o-% I he !entioned# )et*een the si-n nd the

thin- si-ni"ied# tht it *s t "i'st e1p&oded. See'& %e's "te'*'ds pssed

*%# du'in- *hich )')'is! inc'esed# nd# &on- *ith the stud% o" && -ood'ts# pu'e' 'e&i-ion )ec!e o)so&ete. This *s Stn=s oppo'tunit% "o' -in

int'oducin- the scouted doct'ine. And %et in &!ost && -es he the'e )een

!en o" sound !inds# *ho did not dis-uise thei' disstis"ction# )ut dec&'ed it

not on&% "'ee&% )% thei' oice# )ut &so )% thei' *'itin-s.

2ut -'ntin- tht the e''o' hs )een con"i'!ed )% 'e!ote nti0uit%# *e 'e

st'ict&% )ound )% the *o'ds o" Ch'ist not to d'e to su)sc'i)e to n% hu!n

dec'ees *hich *ou&d set us t 'ince *ith the!. Ch'ist o'de's us to t3e

nd et )'ed. This is the !ost se'ious ct o" &&. A p'o!ise is dded# *hich#

cnnot he e""ect un&ess *e t'u&% et )'ed. Fo' the n&o-% I he

!entioned !ust &*%s )e 'etined# , tht# s the )od% is nou'ished )%

)'ed nd *ine# so the "&esh o" Ch'ist is the "ood# nd his )&ood the d'in3 o"

the sou&. 4e# the'e"o'e# o)e%in- the co!!nd o" Ch'ist# t the s!e ti!e &so

e!)'ce the p'o!ise# not dou)tin- )ut tht the sec'et i'tue o" the Spi'it *i&&

e""ect *ithin us tht *hich )'ed si-ni"ies to the e%e. Those *o'th% !en *ho

ssu!e the p't o" pci"icto's# sse't "ictitious !et!o'phosis# *hich is

no*he'e !entioned in Sc'iptu'e# *ith s !uch supe'ci&iousness s i" nhund'ed !ess-es hd )een sent "'o! heen to con"i'! it.

4e s% tht *e cnnot &*"u&&% dep't "'o! the e1ct *o'ds o" Ch'ist.

4ht cuse is the'e "o' thei' )ein- so "ie'ce -inst the 'ee'ence *hich *e

thus p% to Ch'ist# tht on this sin-&e ch'-e the% p'onounce us he'etics+

Fo' not contented *ith the si!p&e o'din'% conde!ntion# the% c&u!nious&%

ccuse us o" 0uestionin- the o!nipotence o" Ch'ist# nd ch'-in- hi! *ith

"oo&ishness# s i" *e *e'e he'e disputin- )out the po*e' o" Ch'ist# nd not

'the' se'chin- "o' the !enin- o" the o'dinnce in his *o'd. Tht && thin-s

'e to )e chn-ed )% Ch'ist# *e too d!it. 2ut shou&d n% one "'o! this in"e'

tht heen is chn-ed into e'th# he *i&& )e 'idicu&ous esti!to' o" the

diine po*e'# dest'o%in- the *ho&e o'de' o" ntu'e s "i1ed nd est)&ished )%

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God# to su)stitute !onst'osities in its sted. Thus# in this 0uestion# the%

t'ou)&e the!se&es to no pu'pose in see3in- *ht Ch'ist cn do# *hen the

on&% point *hich ou-ht to occup% && ou' thou-hts is# *ht does Ch'ist *i&&+

2ut his *i&& cn on&% )e sce'tined )% his *o'd. ?et the! then p'oduce one

s%&&)&e in eidence o" this &&e-ed t'ns!uttion. Not one cn )e "ound.Nothin- then cn )e !o'e "uti&e thn the c&u!n% )% *hich the% )'in- us

into contest *ith the po*e' o" Ch'ist# contest *hich hs no e1istence.

4hen the% s% tht *e ch'-e Ch'ist *ith "oo&ishness# ho* !i-hti&% do the%

&ie+ Ch'ist dec&'es# tht he -ies his )od% nd his )&ood )% ho&din- "o'th

)'ed nd *ine. A&& this *e 'eceie# nd dou)t not tht he *i&& !3e -ood his

p'o!ise# *hich# ho*ee'# cnnot )e !de -ood un&ess the thin- itse&" )e

e1hi)ited. 2ut thus it is. In co!p'ison *ith thei' p'odi-ies the% &ue s

nothin- *htee' hs p'oceeded "'o! the !outh o" Ch'ist# nd e1p&ins the

*ho&e "o'ce o" the o'dinnce# nd contins the *ho&e e""ect o" the spi'itu&

-'ce in *hich "ith c0uiesces. He'e# *ithout enu!e'tin- the end&ess

)su'dities# o' 'the' !onst'ous e''o's# *hich this T'nsu)stntition hs

p'oduced# *ho tht is t && pious# nd du&% inst'ucted in the schoo& o" Ch'ist#

does not detest it# een on this ccount , tht *hi&e the Suppe' o" Ch'ist hs

the p'ope't% o" 'isin- us to heen# no soone' is the pe'susion sett&ed in ou'

!inds tht the )'ed is chn-ed into the )od% o" Ch'ist# thn ou' thou-hts#

*hich ou-ht to he 'isen to heen# 'e i!!edite&% )ent do*n to e'th+Ch'ist inites us to hi!se&". As *e cnnot c&i!) so hi-h# he hi!se&" &ends us

his hnd# nd ssists us *ith the he&ps *hich he 3no*s to )e suited to us# nd

een &i"ts us to heen# s it is e'% pp'op'ite&% e1p'essed )% those *ho#

co!p'e the Sc'!ents to &dde's. Suppose no*# s these !en insist# tht

*ht is seen on the sc'ed t)&e is not )'ed )ut Ch'ist inc&osed# *ho *i&& not

'e!in "i1ed do*n )oth in !ind nd )od% to e'th# *hen he thin3s he

possesses Ch'ist+ In this *% the si-n *hich ou-ht to he e!p&o%ed ech

)odi&% sense in 'isin- the !ind )oe the heens# 3eeps it )ound )% the

)odi&% senses unde' the e&e!ents o" the *o'&d. He'e I on&% e1p'ess *ht hs

noto'ious&% hppened. Ho* "e* *i&& )e "ound in the Ppc% *ho do not -5e

so stupid&% on the out*'d si-n s to "o'-et tht Ch'ist is to )e sou-ht !id

the -&o'ies o" heen6

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To this -'oss stupo' sti&& *o'se supe'stition is nne1ed. Fo' *he'e is Ch'ist

do'ed e1cept in the )'ed+ 2ut i" the utho'it% o" Sc'iptu'e p'ei&ed *ith

us# *e *ou&d thin3 so !-ni"icent&% o" his ce&esti& -&o'%# tht *e *ou&d not

&&o* ou'se&es to he n% c'n& o' e'th&% thou-ht o" hi!. Thou-h *e !%

dee! p'eposte'ous do'tion o" Ch'ist &i-ht "u&t# it *i&& not cese to )e'e-'ded )% God nd n-e&s s e1ec')&e sc'i&e-e.

Thn3s# ho*ee'# to ou' !ode'to's "o' spe3in- out thei' senti!ents "'ee&%.

The% !i-ht he deceied )% si&ence. 2ut *hen the% sse't tht Ch'ist is

p'ope'&% do'ed in the Sc'!ent# thei' *o'ds d!onish us *ht *e sh&&

he to do i" *e su)sc'i)e to thei' dec'ees.

I ce'tin&% d!it tht Ch'ist is to )e *o'shipped *he'ee' *e 'e( nd in the

Suppe'# *he'e he o""e's hi!se&" to )e en/o%ed )% us# he cnnot )e du&%

'eceied un&ess he )e do'ed. 2ut the 0uestion is# 4hethe' is ou' do'tion to

&oo3 up*'ds o' do*n*'ds+ Mo'eoe'# s nothin- is done the'e tht is not

heen&%# thou-h it )e done on e'th# i" *e *ou&d p'ep'e ou'se&es "o'

'eceiin- *ith )ene"it# ou' !inds !ust )e 'ised hi-he' thn the e'th nd the

*o'&d. Then# *hi&e Ch'ist is seted in heen&% -&o'%# n% one *ho tu'ns in

di""e'ent di'ection to do'e hi! dep'ts "'o! hi!.

And *ht !enin- *i&& the'e )e in the ncient p'e!)&e# “Sursum Corda,” *hich the Ppists sti&& chnt in thei' !sses# i" ou' *o'ship c&ees to the

e'th+ 2ut *hen !en he once ente'ed &)%'inth# the 'esu&t !ust &*%s

)e# tht s the% p'oceed the% -et !o'e nd !o'e entn-&ed.

The'e"o'e# i" *e *ou&d do'e Ch'ist s *e ou-ht# *e !ust &% side && e'th&%

thou-hts o" hi!. In this *%# *hen ce&e)'tin- the Suppe'# *e sh&& indeed

*o'ship hi! s p'esent# )ut *ith !inds up'ised to heen# *hithe' "ith c&&s

us# not "i1ed do*n on the )'ed# *hich *e'e not &ess t 'ince *ith the 'i-ht

'u&e o" "ith# thn *ith the -&o'ious !/est% o" Ch'ist.

Then s to thei' s%in- tht "te' the Suppe' is "inished# the )od% o" Ch'ist#

nee'the&ess# 'e!ins# s &on- s the consec'ted )'ed is p'ese'ed# this

)ehooed to )e dded to !3e the! consistent in e''o'. Fo' *hithe' cou&d

the )od% o" Ch'ist "&% *%# "te' once the )'ed hd t3en its p&ce+ 2ut

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43/102

2ut to 'etu'n to the su)/ect in hnd; Ou' !edito's insist tht# "te'

consec'tion# the )od% o" Ch'ist &*%s 'e!ins# independent&% o" its use in

the Suppe'. I" con/ectu'es 'e to )e d!itted# it is ce'tin&% p'o))&e tht#

*hen ou' ?o'd ce&e)'ted the "i'st Suppe' *ith the Apost&es# so!e "'-!ent

o" the )'ed 'e!ined oe'# nd *e do not 'ed tht he *ho 'eceied the cup&st d'n3 the *ho&e; "o' the% *e'e && o'de'ed to d'in3 o" the cup# not to

d'in3 it out. It !i-ht thus he hppened tht the )&ood o" Ch'ist *s

s*&&o*ed )% so!e 'ndo! -uest. 4ht6 *hen one &o" *s )'o3en in the

p'i!itie Chu'ch# *i&& the% s% tht the 'e!ins *e'e set side in cup)o'd+

No( the% hd not %et &e'ned the ne* *isdo!# *hich "ei-ns tht the )'ed is

chn-ed )% !-ic& incnttion. ?et us# then# dhe'in- to the *o'ds o" Ch'ist

hi!se&"# c3no*&ed-e tht his )od% is no !o'e e1hi)ited to us )% the )'ed#

thn the -'ce o" God is *ithout his p'o!ises. He s%s tht he -ies his )od%#

not to )e 3ept shut up in cup)o'd# )ut to )e dist'i)uted !on- the "ith"u&.

The use o" the cup# s those *ho he )een ccusto!ed to it cnnot esi&% )e

3ept "'o! it# is conceded to the! )% *% o" indu&-ence# nd unde' condition

tht the% 'e not to "ind "u&t *ith the p'ctice *hich hs )een &on- in use# o"

co!!unictin- unde' one 3ind. The p'ii&e-e the% 'e to en/o% ti&& such ti!e

s dec'ee o" the Counci& &ets the! unde'stnd *ht is to )e done. 4ht *i&&

)e st)&e in 'e&i-ion# i" *e su)/ect the o'dinnces o" the Son o" God to

)'o-tion t the *i&& o" !en+ The co!!nd is c&e'# “drink ye all of it.$The% ede this )% the pue'i&e ci tht Ch'ist spo3e thus to the Apost&es

&one# *ho! he hd &'ed% !de p'iests; s i" he *e'e not p'esc'i)in-

co!!on 'u&e "o' &&. 4ht6 did he institute speci& Sc'!ent "o' p'iests nd

not 'the' "o' the *ho&e Chu'ch+ I" the'e *e'e n% dou)t on the su)/ect# Pu&

'e!oes it *hen he dec&'es tht he de&ie'ed to the Co'inthins# !&e nd

"e!&e# tht *hich he hd 'eceied o" the ?o'd# i5.# tht all, without

exception, were to drink . Cn )ette' inte'p'ettion )e desi'ed+

It is noto'ious tht this !ode o" Co!!unictin-# s de&ie'ed )% the ?o'd#

*s p'ctice

calvin, jean : of the true method of giving peace to christendom and of reforming the church 1549...

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