and Inspiratio, that though God inspire some laymen, if I may have leave so to term them, with very special graces of knowledge to this end, yet inasmuch as they have not the former of sending, it agreeth not to them, neither may they exercise it, until they be sent, that is, until they have their calling thereunto.
It being then neither personal nor peculiar to them as Apostles, nor again common to all as Christians, it must needs be committed to them as ministers, priests, or preachers; and consequently to these that in that office and function do succeed them, to whom, this commission is still continued. Neither are they, that are ordained or instituted to that calling, ordained or instituted by any other words or verse than this (John xx. 23.) Yet not so, that absolutely without them, God cannot bestow it, on whom, or when Him pleaseth; or that He is bound to this means only, and cannot work without it. For, gratia Dei non alligatur mediis, the grace of God is not bound but free, and can work without means either of word or sacrament; and as without means, so without ministers, how and when to Him seemeth good. But speaking of that which is proper and ordinary, in the course by Him established, this is an ecclesiastical act, committed as the residue of the ministry of reconciliation to ecclesiastical persons. And if at any time He vouchsafe it by others that are not such, they be in that case Ministri necessitatis, non officii, in case of necessity ministers, but by office not so. * *
The remission of sins, as it is from God only, so it is by the death and blood-shedding of Christ alone; but for the applying of this unto us, there are divers means established. * * * In the institution of Baptism there is a power to that end. * * 2. Again, there is also another power for the remission of sins, in the institution of the Holy Eucharist. * * 3. Besides, in the word itself there is a like power ordained. * * Now are you clean," saith Christ, (no doubt from their sins) propter Sermonem hunc. And the very name giveth as much, that it is entitled, "The Word of Reconciliation." 4. Further there is to the same effect a power in prayer, and that in the priest's prayers, "Call for the Priests," saith the apostle, "and let them pray for the sick person, and if he have committed sin, it shall be forgiven him." All
