Wesley Corpus

A. Such pictures are not without danger to be exposed to such as cannot read the Scriptures, if they are not taught that they are to be taken metaphorically. (Bellarm. de Imag., l. 2, c. 8, sec. Respondent.) REPLY. Cassander saith, “I wish those from whom this information is to be received, were not the authors of these superstitions; ” and he adds, “That the teaching is not enough, without the occasions be removed.” (Art. 21, de Imag.) This he saith of all images, but more especially of such as are made to represent God. QUESTION 50. WHAT is a sacrament? ANswer. A sacrament is a sensible thing, which by the institution of God hath a power, as well of causing, as of signifying, holiness and righteousness. (Catech. Rom., par. 2, cap. 1, n. 11.) Q. 51. How many sacraments are there in the Church of Rome? A. There are seven; namely, baptism, confirmation, eucharist, penance, extreme unction, orders, and matrimony. (Concil. Trid., Sess. 7, Can. 1.) Q. 52. Is this number determined to be a matter of faith? A. Whosoever saith, that there are more or fewer than seven instituted by Christ, or that any of the seven are not truly and properly sacraments, is accursed. (Ibid.) REPLY. Cassander saith, that we shall not easily find any RoMAN CATECHISM, AND REPLY. 113 before Peter Lombard, who lived about 1139, that did define the number of the sacraments. (Art. 13., sec. De Num. Sacram.) And St. Austin is very positive that there are but two of divine institution.* Now, that there should be sacraments of divine institution, that are neither instituted in the gospel, nor known to be so till 1100 years after our Saviour, nor be made a matter of faith till 1500, may be a doctrine received in the Church of Rome, but will not easily be believed by any out of it. Q. 53. What are the parts of a sacrament? A. The parts of a sacrament are the matter or element, and the form of words of consecration: So the matter in baptism is water; the form is, “I baptize thee,” &c. REPLY. That a sacrament should consist of matter and form, and yet either have no form, as confirmation and extreme unction; or have neither matter nor form, of divine institu tion, as penance and matrimony, is to make them sacraments, and to be none.