Wesley Corpus

2, 11.) REPLY. It is said that Christ instituted the matter and form of confirmation from the authority of Pope Fabian; (pars 4, q. 3, m. 2, n. 3, & q. 9, m. l;) but Alexander Ales saith, it was ordained by the Meldensian Council. (Catech. Rom., ibid., n. 6, 12, et Bellarminus de Confirm., c. 2.) And indeed the Roman Catechism, after some pretence to divine institution, thinks it safest to resolve it into the authority of the Church. Q. 61. What ceremonies are used in confirmation? A. (1.) In the anointing, the Bishop dips the tip of his finger in the chrism, and, making a cross, saith, “I sign thee,” &c. (Pontific. de Confirm.) (2.) After confirmation, he strikes the person slightly on the cheek, that he may remember he is to suffer all injuries for the name of Christ, with patience and courage. (Catech., n. 25.) (3.) Then the person to be confirmed, setting his foot upon the right foot of the godfather, (Pontific., ibid.,) is to have his head bound with a clean head-band for some days more or less, with reverence to the holy chrism; which done, the band is to be preserved in the sacrarium, or other clean place, till the following Ash-Wednesday, to be burnt to holy ashes. (Pastorale.) REPLY. Whether we consider the far-fetched significations of these ceremonies or the virtue put in them, the abuse is intolerable; as, for instance, that in consecration of the chrism, the Bishop blows upon it, to signify the descent of the Holy Ghost for the sanctification of it, (Bellarm. de Confirm., l. 2, c. 13, sec. Tertio habet, ) and that it hath a power of sanctification as the instrument of God. (Ibid., sec. Quarta caremonia.) So the Bishop prays in the consecration of it, that God “in bestowing spiritual grace upon this ointment, would pour out the fulness of sanctification, and that it may be to all that are to be anointed with it, for the adoption of sons by the Holy Spirit. Amen.” (Pontif Rom.) Q. 62. WHAT is the eucharist? A. It is a sacrament wherein is truly, really, and substan tially contained whole Christ, God-Man, body and blood, bones and nerves, (Catech. Rom., par. 2, c. 4, n. 33,) soul and divinity, under the species or appearance of bread and wine. (Concil. Trid, Sess. 13, de Real. Praes., c.